Future fashion focus

NEW ZEALAND: The cream of the crop among New Zealand's fashion industry will descend on the Bay of Plenty later this month for a two-day fashion education conference. Run by industry group Fashion Industry New Zealand (FINZ), the 'HP: FINZ Education Conference' will provide a forum for the exchange of new ideas and perspectives on fashion education at tertiary level.

FINZ ececutive officer Mapihi Opai said a key focus of this year's event, the seventh annual, will be the future of fashion within a local and global context. Other topics being debated would include emerging technology and fresh approaches to education and the business of fashion, Opai said.

In keeping with the global trend towards eco-fashion and sustainable business practices, the keynote speech will be delivered by Ecostore founder Malcolm Rands.

Other key speakers include Auckland University Technology (AUT) fashion and textiles associate professor Dr Joan Farrer, Kiwi fashion publicist, stylist and event producer Chris Lorimer and a industry panel discussion led by event founder and Fashion Personnel director Donna Whittle.

The event takes place from August 8 to 8 at Bau of Plenty Polytechnic in Tauranga.