Many labels are focusing their attention on the public events, reflecting a move towards a consumer focus - showing in-store collections to, hopefully, entice customers to shop and spend, rather than presenting the season to come to press and buyers.
Huffer will show an in-season collection, and labels including Jimmy D, Lela Jacobs, Maaike, Cybele, Kowtow, Gorman, Alannah Hill, Charlie Brown, Taylor, Storm and Kingan Jones will take part in these public group or solo shows.
There are a couple of notable absences to this year's schedule, with some designers deciding to do their own smaller shows for local media and buyers later in the year.
Juliette Hogan has taken part in the event for seven consecutive years, but will not show this year, and Ruby has decided not to show either.
Big names Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Helen Cherry, Workshop and Nom.d will instead show in-season collections as part of The Marr Factory, a separate series of public nightly shows organised by hair salon Stephen Marr, taking place the week prior. We will co-host the Helen Cherry and Workshop show on August 28.
Viva will offer the most credible coverage of both fashion events, with two print special editions and extensive online coverage here at viva.co.nz.