Aussie designer shares the love

NEW ZEALAND: Australian-raised London-based designer Richard Nicoll has opened his doors to a  young Auckland graduate.

The 30-something designer has agreed to allow 26-year-old Auckland University of Technology (AUT) graduate Jann Wong the chance to hang on to his coat tails as he shows at London Fashion Week (LFW) and promotes the label in Milan and Paris.

Wong secured the internship after winning the Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador Award staged as part of Air New Zealand Fashion Week (ANZFW) in September.

Nicoll, who is a graduate of Central St Martins and counts Kylie Minogue, Bjork and Sophia Coppola among his clients, said it was winning awards like the Deutz that helped him establish his own label.

"Now it's great to be able to be part of what Deutz is doing and support up-and-coming fashion design in New Zealand."

Wong, who has done a mini-collection this season, has already secured two New Zealand stockists for her self-titled label as a result of winning the award.