By ELLEN READ
A new national organisation to represent the many small companies within the New Zealand fashion industry was officially launched in Auckland last night.
Fashion Industry New Zealand (Finz) has been formed by fashion companies and textile suppliers who want a national tailor-made organisation to represent them.
The organisation has
been planned and structured to fit an industry that has undergone a major facelift in the past 10 years.
"The dour old industry image has gone," Finz executive director Paul Blomfield said.
"New Zealand fashion in this country, Australia and abroad is widely acclaimed as world class."
Blomfield said the changes in the industry had been dramatic.
"Those companies that have survived have done it in style, accepting the challenge to become internationally competitive and the industry has a bright future."
An organisation like Finz would help capitalise on this future.
The marketing side of the business was supported by Fashionz, a website guide to New Zealand fashion designers, manufacturers, retailers and events. More than 40,000 people visited the site each week to get their fashion hit. The site had 53,000 subscribers - around 20 per cent based overseas.
Managing director Nicky Wagner said the two organisations complemented each other because marketing and production/design were vital to building a successful industry.
"I think there is a real need for [Finz]. Someone has to be planning the future of the industry," she said.
Finz will run education and networking events, lobby the Government on tariffs and provide a one-stop contact point for those wanting to enter or utilise the fashion industry.
Fashion Industry NZ
FashioNZ
