AUCKLAND: The major sponsor behind New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) has reaffirmed its commitment to the event despite the media frenzy enveloping event owner Pieter Stewart.
Stewart, who founded fashion week in 2001 and is a former associate editor of Fashion Quarterly, has spent the past week holed up in her Canterbury home after husband Peter was found guilty of several historical sexual abuse charges including sodomy, rape and indecent assault.
According to some New Zealand media reports the furore surrounding Peter Stewart - a prominant Christchurch businessman, leaves the sponsor-dependent NZFW vulnerable to bad publicity.
However national airline Air New Zealand, which has naming rights to the event, has denied claims it would consider withdrawing support for NZFW and stated it remains committed to its sponsorship.
It is believed Peter Stewart's lack of involvement in fashion week and the distance between his business affairs and those of his wife will limit any potential fallout.
Stewart, who was found guilty of the charges by a jury, has been remanded on bail to February 12 for sentencing.
PIC: Wendell Teodoro