FQ Fashion Awards
The FQ Fashion Awards returns this July 31st to celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of the best in Aotearoa’s fashion industry over the past year.
After the success of our inaugural event in 2024, the FQ Fashion Awards returns in 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and a more elevated vision. Set to take place on July 31st in partnership with Lexus, Samsung and Schweppes, this year’s red carpet event is back to celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of the best in Aotearoa’s fashion industry.
With a mission to support the diverse talents within the fashion industry, the FQ Fashion Awards serves as a platform to recognise creativity, innovation, and excellence across various categories. From groundbreaking fashion collections to captivating visual storytelling, the awards aim to showcase the best and brightest talents shaping the future of New Zealand fashion.
The Judging Panel
Dan Ahwa
Dan Ahwa is a leading creative director, stylist and journalist with over 20 years of experience. He was the former creative and fashion director for Viva, The NZ Herald for over a decade. He has served on the boards of Mindful Fashion NZ and the NZ Fashion Museum, and is currently the creative board advisor for New Zealand Fashion Week. He is also a contributing editor to Ensemble, and his styling work has appeared in international publications such as British Vogue, Australian Vogue, Dazed, Fashion Quarterly, Art Paper and Metro.
Lucy Slight
With 18 years of experience in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and entertainment journalism, Lucy has built her career contributing to some of Australasia’s most iconic titles – including Fashion Quarterly, Viva and MTV Australia. She is now a freelance writer and certified personal stylist.
Zeenat Wilkinson
Founder and creative director of Sauce – an online platform dedicated to championing and celebrating diverse voices, and a digital consulting agency providing brands with content creation, branding, digital strategy, copywriting and production. Zeenat’s an established multidisciplinary creator, storyteller, and entrepreneur.
Amanda Linnell
Amanda Linnell has been at the forefront of New Zealand’s lifestyle and fashion media for the majority of her career – working for leading titles such as Fashion Quarterly, Sunday Star Times and Viva, where she was the editor for 15 years. She is now a freelance editor, writer and publicist.
Chris Sisarich
Chris is a multi-award-winning photographer based in Auckland, New Zealand. His personal work has been exhibited in galleries across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
Annabel Davidson
Annabel Davidson has been writing about the global jewellery industry for over twenty years, contributing to British Vogue, Vanity Fair, the New York Times, and others.
Jade Townsend
Jade Townsend is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, and writer working at the intersection of her Māori, Pākehā, and British heritage.
Ngahuia Williams
Ngahuia Williams (Ngāpuhi, Ngāitupango) is a photographer and creative with over two decades in the fashion industry as a model, mentor, and director of N Model Management.
Leisa Welch
Leisa Welch is an acclaimed make-up artist based in Auckland, New Zealand. With decades of industry experience, her work spans fashion, editorial, and commercial projects.
Category Finalists 2025
Bag Designer of the Year
- Deadly Ponies
- Saben
- Yu Mei
Content Creator of the Year
- Jess Molina
- Jungwon Jo
- Lauren Brodie
Contribution to Maori Fashion
- Amélie
- Noa Blanket Co
- Shona Tawhiao
- Te Rangitu Netana
Contribution to Pacific Fashion
- Lipo
- Ohn
- Tav Pacific
Designer of the Year
- Claudia Li
- Commonplace Essentials
- Kiri Nathan
- Rory William Docherty
- Zambesi
Fashion Retailer of the Year
- Ruby
- Space For
- The Shelter
Fashion Writer of the Year
- Carolyn Enting
- Emma Gleason
- Jessica-Belle Greer
Footwear Designer of the Year
- Commonplace Essentials
- Deadly Ponies
- Kathryn Wilson
Hair Stylist of the Year
- Danny Pato
- Kelly Manu
- Michael Beel
Jewellery Designer of the Year
- Alice Herald
- Nick Von K
- Zoë & Morgan
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Karen Walker
- Kate Sylvester
- NOM*d
Make-up Artist of the Year
- Ares Artistry
- Liz Hyun
- Lochie Stonehouse
Model of the Year
- Grace Cox
- Isabella Moore
- Sophie Song
Photographer of the Year
- Guy Coombes
- Holly Sarah Burgess
- Marissa Findlay
PR Person of the Year
- Bailey Salmon
- Milly Hewat-Wall
- Tatum Savage
Rising Star Award
- Amélie
- NVVR.World
- Rhoda Nunn
Stylist of the Year
- Dan Ahwa
- Rachel Morton
- Sammy Salsa
Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- Commonplace Essentials
- NVVR.World
- Untouched World
Videographer of the Year
- Greta van der Starr
- Kevin Ku
- Taylor Prichard
Visionary Vanguard
- Emily Moon
- Te Rangitu Netana
- Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa
Assessment Guidance
Assessment criteria covers the nominees’ success in their given category as well as their contributions to New Zealand fashion and sustainability. In the case of multiple nominations for a nominee judges will consolidate the information and make a single assessment. All nominees will be judged by an expert panel based only on the information provided in the form below. The purpose of the supporting evidence document is to back-up any claims in the written application – don’t use the eight pages to add more information as the judges may not consider this in their assessments
For more information and event updates, please visit our website or reach out to us at [email protected].
