The New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) opening launch was a fitting beginning to an event that celebrates innovation, ingenuity, and ethics.
Currently in full swing, it constitutes one of the most prestigious trade events on the NZ retail and apparel calendar, inviting fashion elite from across the globe to indulge in the very best NZ fashion has to offer.
Fashionistas are being treated to a packed scheduled featuring a line up of some of NZ’s most sought after designers’ in season collections, including Kate Sylvester, Trelise Cooper and Moochi.
Fashion bibles, Fashion Quarterly magazine and CLEO magazine are bringing their glossy editorials to life on the NZFW runway, featuring in season and on-trend looks from top designer labels such as Ruby, Juliette Hogan, TK Store, Zambesi, and more.
Not just for the girls, there is something special for the boys as well, with Kronenbourg 1664 Presenting the Metro Men’s show. Introducing designers Slaeve and Jordan Holliday and new styles, fabrics, cuffs, collars and cuts from Rodd and Gunn and Auckland boutique Strangely Normal, this show will keep men at the forefront of fashion this spring.
The NZ Weddings Magazine Collection remains a highlight of the week, and not just for brides and awaiting grooms. Curated by NZ’s leading wedding guide, the show unveils the latest gowns and suits from designers, including Hera Bridal, the Crane Brothers, Barkers, John Zimmermann and Robyn Cliffe.
For the kids, Kid Republic and SOCOCO are presenting the latest and coolest of Kiwi kids’ fashion and premium kids’ sportswear. The YMCA & Raise Up Presents Walk the Line show returns for another year to showcase designs from talented NZ youth.
On the ethics front, Space Between and Sustainable Fashion have joined forces to incite change in the industry by raising awareness for the true cost of ethical sustainable fashion. They are doing this by facilitating NZ brands to share information about their supply chain during NZFW.
In addition, this year NZFW is partnering with NZ-led social enterprise Child Labor Free (CLF).
CLF is the world’s first global accreditation system that enables companies across all product categories to have their supply chains independently certified as child labour free.
Qualifying brands will be able to display a mark of certification, communicating to their customers where their brand is on the journey to becoming child labor free.
NZFW designers Hailwood, Kate Sylvester, Nom*D, Ruby and Stolen Girlfriends Club have lead a pilot program, working closely with CLF to refine the accreditation system as well as documenting and sharing their journey with the industry and customers along the way.
Beyond this group, NZFW designers Zambesi and twenty-seven names have also joined the journey to become child labor free.
The social enterprise’s influence is already moving beyond NZFW, with other brands that have already signed on including the ecostore, Untouched World, Chaos & Harmony, Starex and Tree Hopper Toys.
Michelle Pratt, co-founder and CEO of Child Labor Free, who spoke at the opening of NZFW said: “We are so thankful for the incredible support we’ve received from NZFW and the designers. We’re now looking forward to working with other brands in NZ and globally as they start their journey to becoming child labor free.”
Dame Pieter Stuart, director of NZ Fashion Week added: “This year NZFW is thrilled to be partnering with CLF, which is tackling the very serious issue of businesses working ethically throughout the world. It is something I personally feel very strongly about and we are proud to be part of the CLF journey.”
Highlights have included luxury merino fashion brand Perriam impressing national and international media during its debut.
Perriam Woman Winter 16 was unveiled on the catwalk as part of NZFW’s Choose Wool show.
Curated by top Kiwi stylist Anna Caselberg, Choose Wool showcased some of NZ’s leading designers. Perriam featured alongside Sabatini, Tanya Carlson, Hailwood, Liz Mitchell, French83 and Wynn Hamlyn.
Titled “Untamed”, Perriam Woman Winter 16 is a collection of elegant, effortless wardrobe essentials with a contemporary, sport-luxe vibe. Inspired by the rugged beauty and natural environment of Central Otago, the collection features NZ merino wool with touches of rabbit fur, merino leather and other textiles.
On the runway today, WiRepa’s winter collection is one of the most anticipated shows in NZFW, with Vogue US sitting front row alongside Vogue AU and Harper’s Bazaar to name a few.
