World Scene: New Zealand

Designer apologizes

A leading New Zealand fashion designer apologized yesterday for using Australian and New Zealand military medals on her catwalk models at Australian Fashion Week which has angered war veterans.

Kate Sylvester was blasted by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) for using replicas of medals awarded for service in Vietnam, Korea, World War II and the Crimean War in her show on Tuesday that was titled "Royally Screwed".

Sylvester, who is one of New Zealand's biggest fashion names, released a statement saying she was sorry for any offence she had caused.

"There was no intention of showing disrespect for returned servicemen, for whom I have the deepest amount of respect. I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have unwittingly offended," said the statement.

(China Daily 05/01/2008 page6)