Nyne have walked away with not NINE thousand (I couldn't resist- Ed) but TEN thousand as winners of the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship for 2011, we were delighted to hear announced at The Langham today. Express and logistics company DHL is perfectly placed to move designers forward, seeing as it moves things for a living.

And today over the thoroughly delightful spread that is High Tea in Barolo at The Langham Hotel in Auckland, they announced Hamilton fashion label Nyne, made up of designers Jacob Scott-Simmonds, Miranda Scott-Simmonds and Tina Patrick, are the winners of the 2011 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship.

Nyne has been selling overseas for just two years and already has 30 stockists offshore as well as 30 in NZ; an amazing feat. This win -  open to New Zealand fashion designers who have been selling offshore for less than four years - will give them a big foot up.

I liked the comment from judge Erica Crawford, co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines, who said NYNE had a good concept of both "magic and money" which would stand them in good stead for exporting.

Margarita Robertson, judge, says, “Nyne has got the formula right. The trio has achieved the balance between brand, price, appeal and customer loyalty. The garments are creative with a strong wearable element. They’ve developed a point of difference that translates well for the export market.”

In a new addition to the scholarship this year, all three finalists will also be invited to join the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) Path to Market programme for apparel exporters, which aims to improve the rate and speed of market entry to Australia.

The two finalists for the 2011 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship were Blak and Lela Jacobs (garments below) who Thread felt were also incredibly strong and look forward to seeing them more of them - and hope that they enter again.