Worldview | Indigenous Designers Take Centre Stage in New Zealand
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New Zealand's Fashion Week celebrated its 25th anniversary by showcasing Indigenous design on a larger scale. After facing challenges in previous years, the event returned successfully this year, attracting more attendees, designers, and partners. Organizers reported a significant increase in sales, with 4,600 tickets sold for the hybrid industry-consumer event. Feroz Ali, the current owner of the event, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting the presence of more participants and a successful overall experience.
This year, over 100 designers participated in the six-day event, held from August 17. The event featured a diverse mix of established, emerging, and international designers, with catwalk shows taking place at Shed 10 on Auckland Harbour and other venues across the city. Notable designers such as veteran Karen Walker presented their collections at the Auckland Art Gallery, while Zambesi transformed Orakei Wharf into a 200-meter runway against the backdrop of Okahu Bay.
This year's edition of the Fashion Week placed a stronger emphasis on Indigenous designers. The Kahui Collective runway showcased the work of 16 brands, including eight from Maori and Pasifika designers in Aotearoa (New Zealand's Maori name) and eight from overseas designers. For the first time, a day-long symposium was organized to bring together Indigenous designers and creatives from various countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada, Fiji, Taiwan, and others.
Written by urgent.news from Business of Fashion's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
