Fashion Award Winners
With exceptional standards, innovation, craft and passion, all clearly evident, the 2008 Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards once again placed New Zealand creative talents on a world class stage.
Stan Wolfgramm, the mastermind behind the Westfield Style Pasifika Awards believes that, after fifteen years, this year they celebrated the ‘coming of age’ of the show. “Moving to the Vector Arena demonstrates just where the event is going. In fact, we are looking very seriously at some off-shore opportunities.”
The move to a larger venue and a more sophisticated production has, however, not compromised the essence of the show. With its mix of fashion, music, culture and dance, the potent collaboration of South Pacific, European and Asian cultures has still retained performances that achieve a direct and passionate connection with the audience.
Support for each and every entry from the ten categories is clearly evident from the moment the first garment comes on to the stage. There is no doubt that this is an audience participation show!
Francis Hooper, one of the judging panel, summarised the essence of the entries well, as he observed, “It is rare today to see fashion made with such care, love and integrity!”
Congratulation must go to Stan and his team for nurturing a show with such an abundance of colour, shape, form, creativity and aroha.
WINNERS
Three- Piece Collection
Winner: ‘Birds of a Feather’
Annah Stretton, Morrinsville
Well-known New Zealand designer Annah Stretton, has taken top honours in the three- piece collection with her dynamic collection ‘Birds of a Feather’ – kiwi birds infused with the vibrancy of pasifika colour. Each garment is made of hand-dyed feathers sewn together and topped with feathered hats.
Traditionally Inspired
Winner: ‘Te Aria’
Kiri Nathan, Mt Wellington, Auckland
The twin influences of her grandfather in a photo in his Maori Battalion uniform, plus her absolute respect for the talents and creativity of a much-loved grandmother were strong forces in the creation of Kiri’s award-winning garment.
Created from organza, pure wool, feathers and cotton knit, the designer interprets the colours of the Maori Battalion uniform creating a modern and elegant interpretation.
The garment is called Te Aria (deep pool in the river) after Kiri’s daughter.
Asia Pasifika
Winner: ‘Te Puke Meets Thai Tribe’
Hazel Kirkham, Tauranga
A Bay of Plenty Polytech student, Kirkham, was inspired by an image of a Thailand Hill Tribesman to create a wool/beaded hooded coat over a dress representing New Zealand’s ‘kiwifruit’ culture.
Hero
Winner: ‘Venus – Live and in the Flesh’
James Leuii, Westmere, Auckland
Samoan designer, stylist and makeup artist, James has taken the feel of the Victorian missionary ‘white dress’ and exaggerated it to suit the style of this flamboyant and fun-loving category.
Urban Streetwear
Winner: Wayne Skipworth, Hastings
Hastings woodcarver, Skipworth, has used his carving experience to create a sculpted feel in leather with a hip, urban ensemble, including hoodie and carved boots.
Menswear
Winner: ‘New Him’
Melany Yin, Avondale Auckland
23-year-old Melany used geometry as the inspiration for this stylish men’s ensemble, including metallic-styled coat topped off with a revamp of the traditional ‘boater’.
Bridal
Winner: Rebecca Cassin, Nelson
A fashion student from Nelson, Cassin has used a repetitive tapa cloth motif as a basis for this satin bridal gown, giving the garment a structured 3D shape.
Eveningwear
Winner: ‘Pacific Princess’
Stephanie Kohlhase and Michael Monaghan, Westmere, Auckland
Kohlhase worked with he father Michael, (a sheet metal shop owner) who created the original copper corset and bracelets worn with a beautiful gown of pure silk.
Parent and Child
Winner: Will andTammy Isaaka, Manukau, Auckland
This wonderful ensemble is a fusion of two cultures; the adult representing Maori and the child, The Cook Islands.
