iD is excited to introduce the guest judges for the 2025 iD International Emerging Designer Awards:

Tanya Carlson, Head Judge

A celebrated New Zealand designer, Tanya Carlson is renowned for her refined take on both tailored and off-duty dressing. Raised on the Otago Peninsula, and a dedicated surfer, her aesthetic references dramatic brooding landscapes, dynamic movement and clean lines. Carlson has been involved with iD Dunedin Fashion Week since its inception. She has also been a long-time selector and head judge for the iD International Emerging Designer Awards.

Dan Ahwa, Fashion Director Viva Magazine/NZ Herald

Dan Ahwa is a respected New Zealand-based creative director, journalist, and stylist with over 17 years of experience and is the creative and fashion director for award-winning fashion and lifestyle brand Viva as part of The New Zealand Herald where he has been for ten years. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of industry leaders and is on the advisory of New Zealand Fashion Week. He has also served as a board trustee for The New Zealand Fashion Museum and Mindful Fashion New Zealand. His written and styling work has featured in a range of publications both locally and internationally including British Vogue, Vogue Australia, Esquire, Fashion Quarterly and Metro.

Dayne Johnston, Kowtow Head Designer

Dayne Johnston is one of Aotearoa's leading fashion designers and comes with unique atelier experience. Being a menswear specialist, his fresh perspective is inspiring. He started at Kowtow in the role of Head Designer in 2023 and brings his artistic talent and a passion for considered clothing, which he applies to the brands chosen single fibre. Dayne's first collection for Kowtow will be released in early 2025.

Juliette Hogan
Juliette Hogan creates clothing suffused with elegance and ease. Each season brings a fresh, succinct and cohesive offering full of pieces to fall in love with. This is not a collection driven by trends, but more of an ongoing evolution of Juliette’s strong design perspective.

Juliette has retail stores in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and is stocked in high end boutiques across the motu. She is dedicated to fostering sustainability within the fashion industry and is a founder and Chair of Mindful Fashion NZ. 2025 marks 21 years in the industry for Juliette, who will show her 2025.ONE + TWO collection on the iD catwalk.

Margarita Robertson, NOM*d

Margarita Robertson, the Creative Director of NOM*d, is a lauded fashion industry figure, and founder of the PLUME stores in Dunedin and Christchurch. Her personal and unique edit of high-profile New Zealand and international designers sits alongside NOM*d’s own internationally acclaimed brand. In 2018, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the fashion industry.

Tara Viggo, Paper Theory

Tara Viggo is the founder of Paper Theory Patterns and was a finalist of the inaugural iD International Emerging Designer Awards in 2005. Tara was born in the Cook Islands and grew up in Dunedin. She spent 17 years working in London as a professional pattern cutter, right across the fashion industry, from high street stalwarts to luxury catwalk brands, giving her insight into the darker side of commercial fashion which resulted in her focus in sustainable design.