AUCKLAND: Womenswear label Twenty-Seven Names has overcome a financial battle to take honours at Air New Zealand Fashion Week (ANZFW).
Designers Anjali Stewart and Rachel Easting hit the fundraising trail to raise funds to particpate in the event, after the collapse of six retail clients left the expense out of reach.
The Wellington-based duo's efforts paid off last night when they were awarded the public favourite prize in the ANZFW Fashion Innovation Awards. Themed ‘From the Runway to the Runway’, designers were invited to create an outfit ideal for long haul airline travel. Stewart and Easting received a $10,000 travel prize for their work.
The award will brighten up a challenging year for the designers, who were forced to change their title from Love Lies Bleeding to Twenty-Seven Names after a trademark claim from the US. An American-based company gained international copyright of the name in 2008, despite Stewart and Easting having traded as Love Lies Bleeding across Australia and New Zealand for over two years.
Stolen Girlfriend's Club, a rock-inspired label for men and women won the industry judged $30,000 travel prize.
ANZFW runs until Friday September 25.