By Anna Burns-Francis
A fashion designer who left Christchurch following last February's earthquake has found moving further south has opened up opportunities she never expected.
Debbie Lawson was determined the disaster would not derail her plans for expanding her fashion label and has done a lot in the last 12 months.
She has shifted cities, set up a new clothing store, and decided to show at Dunedin's ID fashion week for the first time.
“I don’t think I’ve been so busy ever. But it’s either that or sit around and feel sorry for yourself,” says Ms Lawson who was caught in February's earthquake and fled her shop as the walls came crumbling down.
“I ran out and grabbed one girl’s hand and we got out, and Jeanette who’s a good friend and also works for us she got out we all ran. But my friend Jilly went out the back door and didn’t make it out,” she says.
Her shop destroyed, and her friend gone, Ms Lawson decided it was time to go back to where she grew up, Dunedin, opening a boutique on the city's shopping strip.
But she is up for a challenge, and is busy preparing for Dunedin's ID fashion week in March.
“I’ve gone to a lot of shows. A group of us used to come down every March, February, whenever it’s on, and go to it. And this year I finally get to watch our product,” says Ms Lawson.
Next on the list is a shift back to Christchurch.
“Christchurch has been so good to me. I want to go back. I will miss Dunedin though,” she says.
For now though, Ms Lawson is just looking forward to putting her mark on the fashion map further south.
3 News