Fashion director for this year's 2006 Villa Maria Cult-Couture Awards Angela Gribben promises a spectacular show of amazing fashion, music and funky dancing. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant arts that are associated with the diverse cultures that make up Manukau City and all of New Zealand....Angela says: "Cult-Couture gets better every year.

Fashion director for this year's 2006 Villa Maria Cult-Couture Awards Angela Gribben promises a spectacular show of amazing fashion, music and funky dancing. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant arts that are associated with the diverse cultures that make up Manukau City and all of New Zealand....Angela says: "Cult-Couture gets better every year. This year's entries are simply amazing and I know the judges have had a tough time selecting the 50 garments to feature on the catwalk.

Judges are fashion designer Julia Fong; fashion editor Ana Macdonald and artist Sophia Tekela-Smith. Garments have come from all over New Zealand as artists and fashion designers, of all ages and experiences, vie for top prize in the 2006 Villa Maria Cult-Couture Awards. There is $15,000 in prize money thanks to the generosity of sponsor Villa Maria Estate and the other category sponsors.

Manukau City Council's Art team is coordinating the event. There are two spectacular shows. A special preview evening will be held on 13 October, followed by the awards night on 14 October. Both events will be held at the Genesis Theatre, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. Tickets are available from ticketdirect www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 TICKET).

From the traditional to the outrageous, from natural fibres to fine silks, environmental materials and everything in between, there is something for everyone at Villa Maria Cult-Couture. ***************************************************

This year's awards are sponsored by Villa Maria Estate, Auckland International Airport Limited, Meredith Connell, Works Infrastructure, MCC Waste Management, GHD and Niu FM. Official Hair and Make Up sponsor is Cut Above Academy.