School Section:
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Amore
School Avante Garde Award
Winner - Alice Parsons, Bayfield High School
Runner Up - Madison Brooks, Marlborough Girls College
Highly Commended - Eva Albiston, -
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Thomas green
School streetwear Award
Winner - Te Rina Coffin, Bethlehem College
Runner Up - Amelia Phillips, St Hilda's Collegiate
Highly Commended - Zoe Coventry, Wellington Girls College
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Macca lodge
School sustainable Award
Winner - George Park, Bayfield High School
Runner Up - Leah Murray, Gore High School
Highly Commended - Lucy Girvan, St Hilda's Collegiate
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regional ford
School Nightlife Award
Winner - Libby Dalziell, St Matthews Collegiate
Runner Up - Sophia Garner, Wellington Girls College
Highly Commended - Rebekah Graham, Rangiora High School
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School Merit Awards
Hannah McNabb
Libby Dalziell
Jess Long
Hope Jackson
Gemma Sims
Julie Barrow
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bernina
School award of Excellence
Winner - Alice Parsons, Bayfield High School
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Special awards:
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The fabric store
best use of fabric Award
Jennifer Cavanagh, Arrowtown (Collections)
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O'Connor Richmond
best us of natural fibre Award
Ruth Bucknell, Masterton (Open Sustainable)
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Collective Design
Garment with the most
commercial potential Award
Libby Dalziell, St Matthews Collegiate (School Nightlife)
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Farmlands/fmg
best men's garment Award
Liz Reissmann, Greymouth (Collections)
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Tohu Wines
auaha Award
Amanda Tangiwai, Invercargill (Open Avante Garde)
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Heather Paterson QSM Memorial Trophy - Best southland designer Award
Anna Balloch, Gore (Open Nightlife)
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Southern Institute of technology Young Designer Award
Jackson Smith, Christchurch (Open Avante Garde)
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Mataura Licensing Trust
Award of Excellence
Winner - Vicki Taylor-Blair, Dunedin (Open Nightlife)
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School Section:
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Amore
School Avante Garde Award
Winner - Alice Parsons, Bayfield High School
Runner Up - Madison Brooks, Marlborough Girls College
Highly Commended - Eva Albiston, -
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Thomas green
School streetwear Award
Winner - Te Rina Coffin, Bethlehem College
Runner Up - Amelia Phillips, St Hilda's Collegiate
Highly Commended - Zoe Coventry, Wellington Girls College
​
Macca lodge
School sustainable Award
Winner - George Park, Bayfield High School
Runner Up - Leah Murray, Gore High School
Highly Commended - Lucy Girvan, St Hilda's Collegiate
​
regional ford
School Nightlife Award
Winner - Libby Dalziell, St Matthews Collegiate
Runner Up - Sophia Garner, Wellington Girls College
Highly Commended - Rebekah Graham, Rangiora High School
​
School Merit Awards
Hannah McNabb
Libby Dalziell
Jess Long
Hope Jackson
Gemma Sims
Julie Barrow
​
bernina
School award of Excellence
Winner - Alice Parsons, Bayfield High School
​
Special awards:
​
​
The fabric store
best use of fabric Award
Jennifer Cavanagh, Arrowtown (Collections)
​
O'Connor Richmond
best us of natural fibre Award
Ruth Bucknell, Masterton (Open Sustainable)
​
Collective Design
Garment with the most
commercial potential Award
Libby Dalziell, St Matthews Collegiate (School Nightlife)
​
Farmlands/fmg
best men's garment Award
Liz Reissmann, Greymouth (Collections)
​
Tohu Wines
auaha Award
Amanda Tangiwai, Invercargill (Open Avante Garde)
​
Heather Paterson QSM Memorial Trophy - Best southland designer Award
Anna Balloch, Gore (Open Nightlife)
​
Southern Institute of technology Young Designer Award
Jackson Smith, Christchurch (Open Avante Garde)
​
Mataura Licensing Trust
Award of Excellence
Winner - Vicki Taylor-Blair, Dunedin (Open Nightlife)
​
​
Open Section:
​
​
Hokonui Heritage Precinct
Open Avante Garde Award
Winner - Laura Hearn, Christchurch
Runner Up - Sophie Ward, Wellington
Highly Commended - Courtney Cansdale, Christchurch
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Carvin Streetwear
Open streetwear Award
Winner - Abed Ghandour, Christchurch
Runner Up - Katherine Edyvean, Christchurch
Highly Commended - George Borrie, Invercargill
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Liz Thomas
Open collections Award
Winner - Seda Demirsoy, Tauranga
Runner Up - Jasmine Tainui, Tauranga
Highly Commended - Liz Reissmann, Greymouth
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New World
Open sustainable Award
Winner - Viv Tamblyn, Gore
Runner Up - Ruth Bucknell, Masterton
Highly Commended - Lucy Maw, Dunedin
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Heartland Hotel Croydon
Open Nightlife Award
Winner - Vicki Taylor-Blair, Dunedin
Runner Up - Kamonchakrie SaeHung, Wellington
Highly Commended - Cindy Weiss, Christchurch
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Gore District Council
Open 80's retro Award
Winner - Marike Uys, Christchurch
Runner Up - Reubin Caldwell, Christchurch
Highly Commended - Rosie Gyde, Lumsden
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Open Merit Awards
Viv Tamblyn - Streetwear
Jin Pingye - Streetwear
Steven Park - Sustainable
Ella van Beynen - Sustainable
Brittany Glassey - Retro 80's
Angela Christie - Retro 80's
Vida Zelenka - Retro 80's
Jennifer Cavanagh - Collections
Genaya McKenzie - Collections
Steve Hall - Collections
Brittany Glassey - Avante Garde
Amanda Tangiwai - Avante Garde
Jackson Smith - Avante Garde
Anna Balloch - Nightlife
Xiao Ping Jones - Nightlife
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​
Open Section:
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​
Hokonui Heritage Precinct
Open Avante Garde Award
Winner - Laura Hearn, Christchurch
Runner Up - Sophie Ward, Wellington
Highly Commended - Courtney Cansdale, Christchurch
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Carvin Streetwear
Open streetwear Award
Winner - Abed Ghandour, Christchurch
Runner Up - Katherine Edyvean, Christchurch
Highly Commended - George Borrie, Invercargill
​
Liz Thomas
Open collections Award
Winner - Seda Demirsoy, Tauranga
Runner Up - Jasmine Tainui, Tauranga
Highly Commended - Liz Reissmann, Greymouth
​
New World
Open sustainable Award
Winner - Viv Tamblyn, Gore
Runner Up - Ruth Bucknell, Masterton
Highly Commended - Lucy Maw, Dunedin
​
Heartland Hotel Croydon
Open Nightlife Award
Winner - Vicki Taylor-Blair, Dunedin
Runner Up - Kamonchakrie SaeHung, Wellington
Highly Commended - Cindy Weiss, Christchurch
​
Gore District Council
Open 80's retro Award
Winner - Marike Uys, Christchurch
Runner Up - Reubin Caldwell, Christchurch
Highly Commended - Rosie Gyde, Lumsden
​
Open Merit Awards
Viv Tamblyn - Streetwear
Jin Pingye - Streetwear
Steven Park - Sustainable
Ella van Beynen - Sustainable
Brittany Glassey - Retro 80's
Angela Christie - Retro 80's
Vida Zelenka - Retro 80's
Jennifer Cavanagh - Collections
Genaya McKenzie - Collections
Steve Hall - Collections
Brittany Glassey - Avante Garde
Amanda Tangiwai - Avante Garde
Jackson Smith - Avante Garde
Anna Balloch - Nightlife
Xiao Ping Jones - Nightlife
​
​
about the AWARDS
about the AWARDS
about the AWARDS
about the AWARDS
about the AWARDS
about the AWARDS
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ENTRIES 2025
2025 entries open 7 February. Entries close 23 May.
Once you have entered, don't forget to download the Garment Details/Return Shipping Form below.
This MUST accompany your garment when you send to the Awards.
Please also read the Full Entry Information for other requirements that MUST accompany your garment.
For designers entering the Auaha Award and/or Narrative Award. Please submit your written entries by clicking the respective button/s below. Entries for these two awards must be submitted on or before 30 June 2025 - Thank you.
If you have incorporated upcycled materials and/or natural fibres in your entry and wish to provide details of this to the Judges, please submit a brief description by clicking the button below.
sections and prizes 2025
All sections cover mens and womens fashions
OPEN Entry Sections:
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1. Gala - OPEN
A carefully designed statement piece worthy of a red carpet event
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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2. FROM THE EARTH - OPEN
A design created using natural materials and techniques
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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3. Aotearoa - Open
A design inspired by the cultural, historical and environmental identity of Aotearoa New Zealand
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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4. Winter Solstice - Open
A design that explores fashion during Earth’s coldest season
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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5. Avant Garde - Open
Where there are no boundaries
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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6. Androgynous - OPEN
A design that erases the line between mens and womenswear, exploring genderless fashion
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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7. Collection - Open
A trio of complete designs that follow a cohesive theme
1st Prize: $1,200
Runner-up Prize: $400
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SCHOOL Entry Sections:
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A. From The Earth - School
A design created using natural materials and techniques
1st Prize: $700
Runner-up Prize: $300
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B. Gala - School
A carefully designed statement piece worthy of a red carpet event
1st Prize: $700
Runner-up Prize: $300
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C. Preppy - School
A design that explores preparatory fashion in the 21st century
1st Prize: $700
Runner-up Prize: $300
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D. Androgynous - School
A design that erases the line between mens and womenswear, exploring genderless fashion
1st Prize: $700
Runner-up Prize: $300
Prizes awarded to garments from the above ELEVEN sections:
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OPEN SECTION award of excellence - $16,500 prize package
School section award of excellence - $1,200 + sewing machine
Young Designer award - $5,000 package
Heather Paterson QSM Memorial Best Southland Designer Award - $700 + trophy
Narrative Award (Best 400 word narrative, describing the creative and visual themes of the designer’s garment) - $700
Auaha Award (Garment that is creatively and visually intertwined with the designer’s own culture) - $700
Garment with the Most Commercial Potential Award - $700
Sustainable Excellence Award (School Sections) - $700
Best Use of Fabric Award - $700
Best Use of Wool Award - $700
People's Choice Award - $500
Open Merit Awards - Certificates
School Merit Awards - Certificates
​
Please note: All cash prizes are gross and are subject to tax if applicable. Winners are responsible for their own tax obligations.
Important dates and fees 2025
2025 ENTRIES OPEN 7 February.
​
Entry Deadline:
Entry and entry fee due on or before 23 May 2025.
Entry Fees:
Open Section:
$50 for each entry
$65 for each ‘Collection’ entry
School Section (Primary/Intermediate/Secondary):
$20 for each entry
​
Payment Details:
• Payment required at time of online entry via credit card.
• School or Design School entrants can elect to pay by invoice to their school. Please select ‘School’ or ‘Design School’ as the payment option when entering online. Please ensure you enter via the correct form (School or Design School Entry Form) to be able to select this payment option.
Garment deadline - 25 June 2025
Garments must be received no later than 5pm on the 25 June 2025.
Each garment must be sent with the following items to complete your entry:
• 2 copies of the completed Garment Details Form (download form at the top of this page - above, from 7 February )
• 2 colour photographs of garment
• 2 copies of clear description of how garment and accessories are to be worn
• A clearly marked return address label, courier ticket and packaging
• A completed Return Shipping Information Form (Page 2 of the Garment Details Form)
Use the Important Checklist inside the Entry Information booklet (download PDF at top of this page) to check you have included all items to successfully complete your entry.
Address to send garments:
The garments are required to be in Gore by 5pm on 25 June 2025, the address to send them is Mainfreight Depot, 2 Oldham Street, Gore 9710.
NB: Please use your tracking number to check if your garment has arrived. Please DO NOT phone Mainfreight Depot - this may result in your garment being withdrawn.
​
Mainfreight offer special pricing for HFDA entrants for sending and return of garments. Please enquire with Mainfreight for special rates.
N.B. There are to be no physical drop offs to the Mainfreight depot, garments will not be accepted. If you live locally and wish to personally deliver your garment please refer to our conditions of entry for details.
​
Auaha & Narrative Award Written Entries - 30 JuNe 2025
Auaha & Narrative Award Written Entries to be submitted on or before 30 June 2025. Submit your entries to these sections at the top of this page.
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Tickets on sale - Wednesday 9 July 2025
Available from www.iticket.co.nz
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Hokonui Strictly Design Evening - 25 July 2025
Full show, plus School Section winners announced!
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Hokonui Gala Awards Evening - 26 July 2025
Full show, plus Open Section winners announced!
Judging
All entries will be considered at a preliminary judging (5 - 6 July 2025) when garments will be selected for the finals.
All Entrants who’s designs have NOT BEEN accepted will be notified by 7 July 2025.
If successful entrants wish to attend the Awards, tickets go on sale 9 July 2025. Be quick as shows sellout fast.
GARMENTS WILL BE JUDGED ON:
• How well they meet the brief of the section entered into
• Cut and finish
• Innovation and originality
• Sustainability features
​
The Judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Organisers reserve the right to reject any entry due to poor workmanship, poor quality, impracticality of the garment, or failure to comply with conditions of entry.
Conditions of entry
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Entrants are required to design and enter a garment of their own choice in the fabric/fibre suitable to the section. Garments must be made within the last 12 months.
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Garments shown at graduation shows/showcases are allowed, as school section garments that have been previously entered in their school make & model shows, provided they did not place and that NO photos or videos of such garments are available to be viewed on public, open social media accounts and/or other digital platforms. Any garment that has been entered and placed the top three in any other competition is ineligible to enter.
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There are no design restrictions however at least 80% of the entered must be of original construction. Designers may a suitably qualified person to make all or some of the garment. Designers may provide accessories for their entry accessories must make up no more than 20% of the entire entry. It is within the discretion of the HFDA committee to assess whether an entry has complied with this 80/20 condition. Garments deemed unsafe or impractical to be on the catwalk will still be judged but may be displayed in some other way during the show.
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Entrants who design and create garments (of any type or form) for commercial trade are not eligible to enter the Hokonui Fashion Awards (HFDA). Organisers reserve the right to accept or reject any entry under this clause.
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Entry is open to all ages. You do not have to be a design student to enter the Awards. To be eligible to enter the school sections, must be enrolled as a primary, intermediate or secondary school student at date of entry.
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To be eligible for the ‘The Young Designer Award’, you must be 21 years of age on the 30th June 2025, and you must state date of birth on your entry form when entering.
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To enter: Entrants must complete one Entry Form per garment . Each garment may only be entered in one section. The completed online entry form and entry fee must be received no later than Friday 23 May 2025. See above for more details.
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A) Garment Details Form: Download copy of Garment Detail (PDF) at the top of this page. Print and complete two copies to accompany garment. Garments are to have arrived by 5pm Wednesday 25th June 2025. Any garments received after this time will no longer be eligible for entry. Please refer to the important checklist, below, of items that must each garment to successfully complete your entry process.
B) Garment Delivery Requirements: Proper packaging and dispatch of garments and the costs are the responsibility of the entrant. All garments must be packaged for posting/delivery. Such packages must be named. The organisers take no responsibility for garments lost in transit. Please use Mainfrieght, our accredited courier. Please make sure the return address is correct and you have a return tracked ticket enclosed. Failure to comply with this will mean your garment may not be accepted. Any contact with Mainfreight Gore regarding the delivery status of your garment may mean your garment is withdrawn – please use your tracking number for this purpose.Personal deliveries will be accepted between 1-4pm on Wednesday 25th June, 2025 to Gore Town & Country Club, Bury St. Please note: Garments still need to be in an appropriate package with correct paperwork. Personal collection of garments, after the show, is Monday 28th July 2025 from the Gore Town and Country between 9am & 10am only.
Address to send garments: Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, c/o Mainfreight Transport Gore, 2 Oldham Steet, Gore, 9710.
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Garment preferred sizes: 10 – 12.
Male size: 102-108cm chest. Waist 81-86cm. -
Garments will be modelled by models selected by the organisers. Designers are unable to specify their own models.
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At no time shall a designer make contact with a model, member of the HFDA Wardrobe team or member of the judging panel, either in person or via message communication regarding garments in the 2025 HFDA Show. Any contact will result in immediate disqualification of the designers garment(s).
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Once garments are in the hands of the organisers they cannot be uplifted until Monday 28th July 2025 between the hours of & 10am, from the Mackay Room at the Gore Town and Country Club. No garments can be collected on the Saturday night after the show.
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It is the responsibility of entrants to insure their property from the time of initial dispatch through to its return.
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Garments will be on and off models many times during fittings, judging and shows. Organisers will take care to prevent makeup and other markings during this time but are not responsible for marks or damage to garment due to being worn.
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If you wish to withdraw your garment, you must notify the entries co-ordinator by 12pm Thursday 30th May 2025 to be eligible for a refund of your entry fee. If entries are withdrawn after this date, the HFDA committee still need to be notified so we can withdraw entry and ensure our information is updated and correct.
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Organisers may keep prize-winning garments for up to 12 months after the Awards for promotion and display purposes. The Award of Excellence garment becomes part of the permanent HFDA Display Collection and will be retained by the HFDA Committee for at least two years after the show it was entered in with the to retain longer if needed.
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Organisers have the right to use any photography and video footage taken over the course of the event for publicity and promotional purposes. HFDA has no obligation to commission and/or supply images and/or videography of any/all garments.
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All contact from designers relating to any part of the 2025 Hokonui Fashion Design Awards must be directed to the Entries
Co-ordinator. Failure to do so may result in the designers garment being withdrawn. -
In the event that the MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards 2025 is cancelled, the following refunds will be given to designers:
- event cancelled before 23rd June - full refund of entry fee and garment returned (if already posted)
- event cancelled on or after 23rd June and on or before 21st July - full refund and garment returned
- event cancelled on or after 21st July and on or before 26th July - no refund and garment returned -
By entering the 2025 MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, the entrant accepts all conditions of entry and declares that all details are true and correct.
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Privacy:
21.1 - For the purpose of facilitating the efficient running and of the HFDA show, entrants authorise HFDA;
21.1.1 - To collect and retain personal information about them including (but not limited to) the entrants name, address, details, date of birth, bank account numbers, and education provider; and
21.1.2 - To use certain information (such as name, town, education provider) & disclose as necessary either publicly and/or to contractors engaged by the HFDA committee, for the purpose of producing the HFDA show and materials associated with same (such as the HFDA website, digital platforms, programmes and on-screen displays). Personal details may be used by the HFDA committee for future and/or on-going contact with entrants in connection with HFDA matters.
21.2 - Information will be collected, held and used on the that;
21.2.1 - It will be held securely within the HFDA digital workspace
21.2.3 - It will not be released for a third party (other than set out above) without the entrants written authorisation.
21.3 - To the extent required under the Privacy Act 1993, entrants entitled to have access to and request correction of the information which has been collected by HFDA. -
All judges decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
IMPORTANT CHECKLIST (MUST send with garment)
- Two copies of the completed Garment Details Form (download form at the top of this page).
- Two colour photographs of garment
- Two copies of clear description of how garment and accessories are to be worn
- A clearly marked return address label, courier ticket and packaging
- A completed Return Address Shipping Information Form (Page 2 of the Garment Details Form. Download form at the top of this page)
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