AUCKLAND: New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) could celebrate its ten year milestone without a naming rights sponsor.
While the event has a raft of “strategic”, “elite” and “support” partners, it is still lacking a naming rights sponsor just four months out from its official start date on September 21.
Former naming rights sponsor Air New Zealand has scaled back its support for the event, signing on this year as the event's official airline.
Air New Zealand has been the event's naming rights sponsor for the past six years but chose not to renew the arrangement in December 2009.
The dearth of a naming rights sponsor for New Zealand's most publicised fashion event follows a tightening of corporate sponsorship on Australian shores.
IMG Fashion, organisers Sanctuary Cove Swim Fashion Week, were forced to pull the plug on the February 2010 instalment of the event.
IMG Fashion regional marketing and communications director Graeme Lewsey attributed the cancellation to a lack of corporate funding.
NZFW will run from Tuesday September 21 to Friday September 24 at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village in Auckland.