Kate Sylvester pulls out of Fashion Week

Designer Kate Sylvester has withdrawn from showing at L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week in October. Sylvester was expected to be one of the stars of the event, but the health of her PR and sales manager and all-round dynamo Rebecca Wadey is more important to her. Wadey, 26, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April. She has had a mastectomy and four chemotherapy treatments but has yet to undergo 20 radiation treatments. Delays at Auckland Hospital mean she won't be starting it for around three weeks, which makes it too much for Wadey in the lead-up to fashion week.

Sylvester, who had decided to show at Fashion Week before Wadey's diagnosis, says: "Our number one concern at the moment is Rebecca's health. We just want her to concentrate on getting better."

Wadey has been working three days a week and plans to try full-time work while she waits for the radiation. What she won't be doing any more, though, is going back to her old lifestyle. "I was a party girl. I feel I have to say goodbye to a part of my life. I won't be having any more late nights going out drinking."

She says Sylvester and partner Wayne Conway have been supportive. "Kate and Wayne have been just amazing giving me paid sick leave so I haven't had to worry about money."