What's hot for 2019?

Hailwood is one of the designers at the 2019 New Zealand Fashion Week. Pictures supplied

The countdown is on for the hottest week in New Zealand fashion and six new designers have been added to the line-up.

New Zealand Fashion Week has unveiled its final schedule, adding fresh talent to sit alongside established heavyweights.

Six new designers have been added to the line-up — Yu Mei, Paris Georgia, Mina, Salasai, Juliette Hogan and Not For You — who will complement previously announced shows including Hailwood, Kate Sylvester, Zambesi and Kathryn Wilson.

Wellington-based luxury leather goods label Yu Mei will show for the second time at an offsite venue on August 27th — to much hype and anticipation from their loyal following.

Natalie Procter from ethical womenswear label Mina will stage her first offsite solo show after making a significant name for herself since launching in 2017.

Mercedes-Benz have selected up-and-coming label Paris Georgia for the Mercedes-Benz Presents show on August 27th, with the fledgling label now honoured to sit alongside previous recipients such as Knuefermann and Zambesi.

Salasai is staging a “digital” fashion show across NZFW platforms where they unveil different looks each day, and New Zealand Fashion Week alumni Jerome Taylor and Juliette Hogan return to launch fresh collections.

Dame Pieter Stewart, NZFW founder and managing director, describes the line up for New Zealand Fashion Week this year as “very strong.”

“We have a mixture of iconic heavyweights showcasing once again, and some truly innovative and up-and-coming designers who will be the superstars of tomorrow.”

Natalie Procter said it was “a true honour to show at New Zealand Fashion Week — particularly in a year where the event is placing such an emphasis on sustainable fashion”.

“It’s important that the fashion industry makes conscious and ethical decisions and continues to keep people central to its business model as it grows and evolves,” Procter said.

New Zealand Fashion Week is also staging two seminars in 2019 to influence industry conversation — the first is a Sustainability Seminar encouraging designers to consider their long-term impact, and the second is a Diversity Conversation that champions the importance of inclusivity.

Created in 2001 by Dame Pieter Stewart, NZFW is the pinnacle event for the New Zealand fashion and beauty industry. The annual stage enables local and international designers to showcase their collections and promote their brands.

The goal of NZFW is to provide a launching pad for designers to grow their businesses both nationally and internationally.

NZFW has evolved from a trade and industry event to become a multifaceted style showcase that engages thousands of fashion-focused delegates throughout the week and then include the style-savvy audience in the wrap-up consumer event, NZ Fashion Weekend.

• New Zealand Fashion Week runs in the Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square from Monday August 26th until Sunday September 1st.