Stewart was the creator and managing director behind NZ Fashion Week for nearly 20 years, until she sold the business earlier this year. She received the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to fashion and the community in 2012. She’s previously been a judge at the Hokonuis, and says the annual competition in Gore plays an important part in the industry. “It sparks an interest in young designers and gives them a chance to be really creative and that’s not always possible when you also have to be commercial,’’ she said. “It gives them an insight into working to deadlines, having to make something to a product size and how to think about how it will look on a catwalk – all fundamental things that designers need to know how to do.’’