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THE 2019 PACIFIC FUSION FASHION SHOWCASE DESIGNER LINE UP ANNOUNCED

The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS) returns for its fourth year with a collection of Pacific-inspired high fashion garments created by 14  NZ and the Pacific designers “We received a high calibre of designer applications from Aotearoa, Australia, Samoa, Tonga, and four Melanesian designers from  Vanuatu, Solomon   Islands and Papua New Guinea,” says Event Director Nora Swann.  “We are especially excited to feature a strong line up of Melanesian ...

AND THATS A WRAP!!

On Saturday night we were treated to a great show. All of our designers and models gave their best and the audience were in full support mode with their loud and vocal applause. The show is the result of many people coming together to each play their part to ensure the overall vision comes to life.  I would like to thank you for coming and being part of our show.  As I look back, I reflect on how we have grown each year, and this would not have been possible without your support. My te...

SCOOP ARTICLE

Hi everyone, Scoop Independent News wrote up a little article about the show yesterday. Click on the link below to go check it out 🙂 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1809/S00325/pacific-entrepreneur-redefining-diversity-in-fashion.htm...

DESIGNER PROFILE: KOLCHA

From a young age, Samoan designer Leu Tiatia Wasasala took to knitting, crocheting, embroidery, origami and arts and crafts like a duck to water.  In fact, her creative bent was so strong that when she left school, she asked her aunty if she could work in her factory as a machinist. “My parents and aunt simply stated “NO” because they didn’t pay for me to go to school so that I would end up slaving away at a job in a factory,” laughs Leu.  “None of us knew what �...

DESIGNER PROFILE: RED ICE

Fashion designers and tutors Sidath Wickremeratne and Jewelz Taufui are a design team bringing bridal and evening wear glamour to this year’s Pacific Fusion Fashion Show. With more than 40 years’ experience between them in garment manufacturing and fashion education, the pair will showcase their Red Ice Bridal Collection 2019. Sri Lankan born Sidath and New Zealand born Tongan  Jewelz met at the Sewtec Fashion Academy in East Tamaki eight years ago where they both taught pattern-making ...

DESIGNER PROFILE: LIFT

Edgy elegance with a blend of Polynesian and mainstream designs are how Nancy Elizabeth Thompson describes her latest fashion collection from LIFT Designs. Based in Carson, California, the Samoan Tongan designer will be joining the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show in Auckland next month. Nancy says her aim as a designer is to give wearers of her clothing the space to feel self-love and joy. “I design for women who don’t want to be classified,” says Nancy.  “A woman who wants to be sexy a...

DESIGNER PROFILE: AKANA

Fashion designers can have a series of lightbulb moments on their journey to creative success – moments that inspire or ignite ideas.  For Pirongia based designer, Alecia Kana, it began after a mishap with her senior high school ball gown.  “I’d hired a seamstress to construct a ball gown for my formal and the end product was very disappointing,” says Alecia.  “I decided not to wear it as it didn’t come close to what I’d envisioned in my mind.” Up until then A...

DESIGNER PROFILE: KIRRIKIN

Australian Aboriginal design label ‘Kirrikin’ has made a name for itself as a high-quality producer of Koori resort wear, scarves, neck ties and jewellery. Founded in 2014 by Amanda Healy, a Wonnarua woman from SE Australia, Kirrikin will make its debut in New Zealand at the 2018 Pacific Fusion Fashion Show next month. Healy started Kirrikin after a successful 35-year career in the mining industry and now enjoys working with indigenous peoples as a social entrepreneur.  Her company shar...

DESIGNER PROFILE: MOTFAW

Samoan model turned fashion designer Annmarie Williams will be showcasing new skills at the Pacific Fusion Fashion show next month. After treading the PFFS runway as a model last year, she’s now set to release her first collection of clothing. “Modelling was a nod towards the right direction, it created internal movement within me that has now become MOTFAW,” says Annmarie.  “I want to explore and expose my ideas to the world and see what happens.” MOTFAW is a reference ...

DESIGNER PROFILE: NUMIA

Designing men’s clothing is a therapeutic, creative outlet for commercial lawyer David Taumoepeau. When he’s not embedded in the corporate world, David enjoys making clothes which he describes as a luxury street fusion of hip hop, cowboy and punk. “I’m influenced by high-end street designers such as Rob Garcia, Mike Amiri and Jerry Lorenzo,” says David. “I wouldn’t really call myself a designer though, it’s a hobby and something I do for fun.”...

DESIGNER PROFILE: TAHIANO

Juggling fulltime jobs and establishing fashion label ‘TAHIANO’ has been a major achievement for Samoa based fashion designers Mata’afa Hans Weche and Alvis Meredith. Alvis is a graphic designer and former marketing officer for the Samoan Tourism Authority while Hans is currently employed by Tokelau’s EDNRE (Economic Development, Natural Resources & Environment) department. Based in Samoa and proudly representing Samoa and Tokelau, it took the business partners two years to beco...

DESIGNER PROFILE: MOLLY & GRACE

Fashion collaborations can help a brand stand out – a concept that emerging label Molly & Grace is hoping to achieve. Founders Monalisa Owen and Sisi Tasi recently applied to enter the 2018 Pacific Fusion Fashion Show and created four pieces in three days to present to the selection panel. “Designing is difficult and intense,” says Monalisa.  “It’s also a fun process, starting from a blank A3 visual diary, to a pile of fabric and the end product being a wearable garm...

DESIGNER PROFILE: DANE DAGGER

Dane Dagger isn’t one to operate in mediocrity either in fashion or business.  His dream is of one day owning his own fashion store and becoming an internationally renowned brand. Describing his clothing as unique, bold and sustainable pieces that are high in drama and fantasy driven, Dane is drawn to eclectic fabrics such as velvets, lace, tulle, plastic and wool. “Christian Siriano has influenced me tremendously,” says Dane. “But I’m all for our own talented Kiwi designers such ...

DESIGNER PROFILE: FOU CUSTOM MADE

It used to be that puletasi and mu’umu’u were direguer for Pacific women stepping out in style, but now those looks are being reimagined by Pacific millenial fashion label FOU Custom Made.  From mu’umu’u inspired ‘sack’ dresses and jumpsuits to caped and bell sleeved dresses, the Mt Roskill label is a stylish fusion of old and new. The matchy-matchy his and her elei outfits worn by Grandpa and Grandma? They’re still a staple, but FOU has today’s young couple rocking two-piec...

DESIGNER PROFILE: IDA TEITI | TIARE TEITI

Reintroducing femininity to a society that’s “gravitated towards shorts” is the mantra of Tahitian born fashion designer, Ida Teiti. Blending modern styles with bright island colours and floral designs, Ida says she wants to show that women can be elegant as well as strong. As a child growing up in Tahiti, Ida’s biggest inspiration was her adopted mother who sewed beautiful dresses for Ida and her seven sisters. “They always dressed with such elegance, even just to go to the grocery st...

DESIGNER PROFILE: MOO.DY FASHIONS

Memories of watching her aunties sewing as a child and adorning themselves in beautiful fabrics still inspire Porirua fashion designer Taga (Fa’aolataga) Chad Kome. The founder of fashion label ‘Moo.dy’ is known for her quirky style which she describes as “Fun with a twist of elegance and streetwear”. From glitter jumpsuits and retro suits for men to custom overalls for kids, Taga says she’s definitely inherited her aunties’ fashion DNA. “I think of fashion design as creatin...

VAI – WALKING ON WATER

Transforming plus sized women into curvaceous queens is a full-time calling for Samoan fashion designer, Dee Tuitama. The former waitress and bartender took the plunge this year to focus on her clothing label ‘VAB Designz’, a brave but risky decision that’s required nerves of steel. “Financially it’s not easy and you have to back yourself because a lot of people will doubt you,” says Dee.  “I’m motivated by the desire to be my own boss, make my mark on the world and be a rol...

WHENUA – CLAIMING YOUR ROOTS

REFLECTIONS OF PFFS DIRECTOR NORA SWANNThese past few years, I have felt the need to find out more about myself and my culture. After discovering the reasons my parents moved to NZ and the sacrifices they made, the challenges they faced to come to the “land of milk and honey” – the one word that stands out is ‘courage’. Living in NZ in the 1970’s would have been tough and I am grateful and applaud my parents for being dreamers that wanted a better life for themselves and for finding ...

DESIGNERS ANNOUNCEMENT 2018

THE PACIFIC FUSION FASHION SHOW RETURNS FOR A THIRD YEAR ON THE 6TH OF OCTOBER. WHAT BEGAN AS A COMPETITION FOR EMERGING MĀORI AND PACIFIC CREATIVES FROM SOUTH AUCKLAND IS ATTRACTING INTEREST FROM INTERNATIONAL FASHION DESIGNERS AND GIVING WORLDWIDE EXPOSURE TO PACIFIC CREATIVE TALENT. “We received a high calibre of designer applications this year,” says Event Director and Fashion stylist Nora Swann. “There is a mix of fashion styles from streetwear to resort wear and we’re excited to h...

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Not quite like a movie but it’s all LIVE action happening here. Before we get into that, let me take you through our team journey. For the past 6 months, we have organised smooth running of the designer call out and the model casting call to working together with the Otara Business Association team, Rana, Shaun, Joseph and Constable Piho to get the Otara Town Centre ready for our show. Come show day, it’s all GO! We have sectioned each area out from the hair and makeup team getting models re...

THE PFFS MODEL’S JOURNEY…..

Model casting went down on Saturday, the 27th of May at the beautiful southern gem that is the Nathan Homestead. It was a sunny winter’s morning – cold enough to wear a scarf, but warm enough to rock a leather mini skirt and boots. From 10am to 1pm we were fortunate to watch, meet and speak to over 60 aspiring models. We were looking for confidence, beauty (inner as much as outer), and a fierce walk with the attitude to match. After 3 hours, we were so pleased to share that we had a group of...

FROM THE DESIGNER TEAM’S PERSPECTIVE……

My name is Nellie Papali’i and I overlook all our wonderful designers. This has been my second year in this role and I absolutely love it!PFFS is a great opportunity for Emerging designers of Pacific and Maori descent to assist with taking their brand to the next level and I am so grateful to be a part of a passionate team to help promote all these talented local and international designers.We have 12 Designers showcasing this year, eight local designers and four from overseas; Samoa, Hawaii, ...

NZ FASHION WEEK COMPETITION

We are pleased to announce that all of our 2017 designers (local and international) are part of our New Zealand Fashion Week Competition. Four Pacific Fusion Fashion designers will win a ticket to a New Zealand Fashion Week show as well as a tour behind the scenes to get an idea of what really happens during New Zealand’s most prestigious annual fashion event....