AUCKLAND: The organisers of New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) have spoken out about the loss earlier this year of the event's naming rights sponsor.
NZFW managing director Pieter Stewart and brand manager Myken Stewart conceded the decision by Air New Zealand to withdraw its naming rights sponsorship in favour of elite partner status was a “challenge”.
“We have had the privilege of having two great naming sponsors over the last 10 years, with Air New Zealand sponsoring for two three-year terms,” the Stewarts said.
“It is obviously a challenge to fill the gap left, but there... [is] more than one income stream supporting NZFW, so it’s just a matter of pulling it together differently. With change there is opportunity, all sponsorships come to an end.”
The pair revealed the total sponsorship budget for the event in 2010 was set at $3 million. They declined to nominate the total number of dollars secured, saying only “we get as close to that [figure] as possible”.
On the upside, the Stewarts said the longevity of NZFW – the event celebrates its 10th anniversary this month – assisted in securing sponsorship dollars.
Organisations that have sponsored NZFW since its inception include Auckland City Council and Heart of the City. The Stewarts said other “notable mentions” were Alert Taxis, The New Zealand Herald and Air New Zealand.
NZFW 2010 will run from September 21 to 25 at Viaduct Harbour Marine Village in Auckland. Designers set to show on the catwalk this year include Alexandra Owen, Andrea Moore, Sabatini, Cybèle and stalwarts Karen Walker and Trelise Cooper.