Eight finalists have been selected from this year's field of Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador Award entrants. "I was impressed with the level of entries," says fashion designer and judge Cybele Wiren. "The finalists stood out for their innovation, clear sense of purpose, and high level of professionalism in their presentation."

Image: Finalist Andrew Smith with judge Kate Sylvester.Eight finalists have been selected from this year's field of Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador Award entrants. "I was impressed with the level of entries," says fashion designer and judge Cybele Wiren. "The finalists stood out for their innovation, clear sense of purpose, and high level of professionalism in their presentation."

Image: Finalist Andrew Smith with judge Kate Sylvester.The Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador finalists for 2007 are: Elizabeth Wilson (Wellington), Alex Kim (Auckland), Yawen Chang (Auckland), Chelsea Thorpe (Gisborne), Andrew Smith (Auckland), Tymone Winter (Wellington), Jann Wong (Auckland) and Ya Kun Cai (Auckland).

"The top eight all had collections that managed to marry catwalk impact with strong ideas and a degree of commercial wearability," says fashion journalist and judge Stacy Gregg. "I'm not saying that you need to be able to wear everything that is on the runway but there must be a vision that relates to reality on some level."

The finalists' collections will be modelled in a catwalk awards show at Auckland's ASB Tennis Centre on Thursday 13 September, when the new Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador will be announced.

The judging panel for the 2007 award included Stacy Gregg (Fashion Quarterly and Runway Reporter editor-at-large), Kate Sylvester (fashion designer), Petra Bagust (television personality), Cybele Wiren (fashion designer) and Katie Newton (fashion and beauty editor, Sunday Star-Times).

Recognised as a key launch platform for aspiring fashion designers, the Awards are open to final year students, fresh graduates and designers new to the fashion market. The winner receives a return trip to London Fashion Week, with NZ$3000 spending money and the chance to meet with influential leaders from London's vibrant fashion industry.

In addition to the awards show presentation, the finalists' collections will be modelled in a special catwalk showcase at Air New Zealand Fashion Week on September 20. These same garments will also be on display at The New Dowse in Lower Hutt throughout October, as part of Flash! - The Deutz International Fashion Season.

3/9/07