Looking good for Fashion Week

New Zealand's designers are loosening the classic Chanel purse strings.

After hunkering down during the recession, fashionistas believe they will be able to afford to show at this year's New Zealand Fashion Week.

Zambesi, Yvonne Bennetti, Huffer and Kate Sylvester all say their participation in the event depends on sponsorship, but they are more optimistic about putting together shows.

Even World, which has shown only once in the past five years, is considering a return to the runway.

Last year, many designers were unsettled by a tough economic climate and did not want to commit to the expensive enterprise.

Many eventually bit the bullet, but World chose to opt out because of the lack of "international interest" and limited financial returns.

This year Francis Hooper, who co-founded World with Denise L'Estrange-Corbet in 1989, said their models would probably be back on the runway.

"I think everyone is sort of mulling it over. We're considering it," said Hooper. "We only show when we need to - so we're considering it this year [because] we've been really quiet because we've been overseas a lot."

Kate Sylvester, who has recently returned from showing at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, said she "loves" doing shows and will be participating as long as sponsorship comes through.

Zambesi co-founder Neville Findlay said it was close to pinning down an off-site venue.

The label has garnered international recognition of late - getting airtime on America's Next Top Model when the two finalists wore Zambesi outfits to the final elimination.

The high-end label is doing so well, it has announced the opening of a dedicated menswear store in Newmarket in the near future.

"There would have to be a good reason not to do [Fashion Week] this year," said Findlay. "It's probably a bit early to say what we're going to do, but I think we've found an amazing off-site venue.

"We always enjoy Fashion Week and are really looking forward to it."

Huffer co-founder Steve Dunstan said Fashion Week was "in their marketing plan" this year, but it relies on help from sponsors.

Yvonne Bennetti is also in talks with sponsors and would love to take part in a more "intimate" off-site venue.

Fashion Week managing director Pieter Stewart said the general feeling is far more "positive" than last year, even though Air New Zealand has dropped its sponsorship after six years.

Stewart said she had received "a lot" of interest from Australian designers, though she wouldn't say who.

"The designers only got their prospectus last week and I do feel a lot more positive energy around it.

"It's not often I get people coming to me and talking about sponsorship before the prospectus is out, but there's definitely a lot more buzz," Stewart said.

"Last year everyone had a bit of a grizzly time, so it's nice that it feels like that has picked up."

Last year's Fashion Week included such local labels as Annah Stretton, Sera Lilly, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Cybele, Juliette Hogan and Trelise Cooper.

The 2010 New Zealand Fashion Week will take place between September 21 and 24, followed by Fashion Weekend, which will include seminars, an art exhibition and a revamped designer garage sale.