The Air New Zealand Fashion Week unravels its 2009 collection but with the global economic crisis, fashion houses are faced with the challenge of attracting its clients to buy their winter/autumn collections.

According to reports, the event’s managing director Pieter Stewart informed the fashion designers that there are a lot of changes and that there are challenges ahead in keeping New Zealand an attractive fashion Mecca in the export industry. He conducted the “Fashion Export Reality Check” seminar recently.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise reported that the country’s apparel experts declined to $305 million in 2008 compared the previous which posted $321 million. These apparel goods include sport gears, lingerie, footwear and children’s wear.

Ian Webster, director of women’s fashion line Verge, said that the crisis brought about a change on consumer’s purchasing behavior. At this point, most of the consumers are likely to buy the necessary goods first before going for fashion outfits.

The prices of clothes are also noticeably higher than in other markets. Sellers have no choice but to increase the prices due to high production and freight costs.

The Air New Zealand Fashion Week takes place this week.