HAULIER TAKES HOME THE 2024 NATIONAL DESIGNER AWARD PRESENTED BY DAVID JONES
9 April 2024 | Words by PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
We’re pleased to announce the winner of the National Designer Awards is Jeremy Hershan of HAULIER!
Introducing the National Designer Awards finalists for the 28th year: Alix Higgins, Ikuntji Artists and THDR by Timothy Aquino, Nastasha Gordon of Clea, Jordan Gogos of Iordanes Spyridon Gogos and finally Jeremy Hershan of HAULIER. As the winner, Jeremy’s prize included $130,000 in prize money and his brand HAULIER stocked at David Jones.
The National Designer Awards (NDA) is an annual and highly coveted event presented by leading Australian premium department store, David Jones. These awards are pivotal in developing and nurturing emerging Australian designers. Other honourable mentions went to Jordan Gogos of Ioardanes Spyrigdon Gogos for the brand’s sustainability efforts and Natasha Gordon won the People’s Choice award for brand, CLEA.
This year’s panel consisted of Caroline (Ralph) Ralphsmith, Chris Wilson and Lucianne Tonti who carefully selected the the best brands based off of a criterion including creative vision, quality of manufacturing, detail, business planning and sustainability concerns.
Past winners of the National Designer Awards are the likes of Dion Lee, Alèmais, Yeojin Bae, P.E Nation and STRATEAS.CARLUCCI. Now presenting the National Designer Award for the eighth consecutive year, David Jones is committed to providing a platform and supporting the next generation of Australian designer talent.
Winner: Jeremy Hershan of HAULIER
Looking for your next European holiday outfit? Well, look no further than HAULIER. Jeremy Hershan draws inspiration from travel stories and his dual citizenship between Australia and Europe. From utility tote bags, breathable shirting and gift cards shaped in the style of passports, you’ll feel like you’re on an endless holiday when wearing one of Jeremy’s designs. After beginning HAULIER in 2020 in Sydney, his brand has quickly gained traction for its unique and refined brand vision of timeless, elevated, everyday items.
Visit HAULIER here.
Jordan Gogos of IORDANES SPYRIDON GOGOS
Jordan Gogos takes staple items such as suiting, vests, trousers, dresses and more to then turn them into psychedelic, cutting edge design using a ‘zero’ waste policy at Iordanes Spyridon Gogos. Jordan was also featured at our Fashion Film Awards with Powerhouse X Jordan Gogos, directed by Sophie Georgiou, plus showcased his newest collection at Block Party Runway x Visit Melbourne - the final show of our 2024 Premium Runway series.
Jordan was awarded a $10,000 cash prize and bespoke mentorship program led by David Jones for achieving the Honourable Mention for Sustainability. Ioardanes Spyridon Gogos is a vegan, Sydney designed and made brand focussed on using compression techniques to avoid waste in the production process.
Visit Iordanes Spyridon Gogos here.
Natasha Gordon of CLEA
With sleek but bold styles, it is no surprise that Natasha Gordon took home the People’s Choice award for CLEA’s - a premium and diverse womenswear collection. CLEA was founded in 2021 and is a Melbourne-based label known for creating contrast through a blend of unique design elements. CLEA displayed an array of refined details including appliques, blouson sleeves, soft fabrics and lustrous cuts, blending traditional masculine and feminine styles together to create a modern wardrobe.
Visit CLEA here.
Thank you to all our finalists, judges and David Jones for their ongoing support of this prestigious award that is the pinnacle of the festival’s Industry Development Programme, and was created to support and grow emerging local talent on a national and international stage.