PACIFIC FUSION FASHION SHOW 2017

New York, London, Paris, Ōtara, Milan - High fashion lives here.

The Otara Town Centre was transformed to fashion central for the Pacific Fusion Fashion Showcase and created the perfect stage in the heart of South Auckland for emerging Pacific and Maori designers to showcase their fabulous designs.

Event Director Nora Swann said of the event "Some people found it hard to picture a sold-out high-end fashion event in Ōtara, let alone it being a runway down the middle of the Town Centre. We were always confident that we could do it and that we would find designers and an audience who would want to attend. We know the talent is out there and we hoped our community would support it. This just goes to show that yes, high fashion lives here".

Hosted by former Miss Samoa Latafale Auva'a, the showcase included entertainment from Ura Tabu/PIPA and Otara's own Giant Killa with other Groovehouse artists, Exit Four 44, Pascal Roggen and Aleisha Wallabh Smith.

Although the night was all about the designers and their collection, it was the models in the show who worked the catwalk!  International model Diamond Langi was a guest model throughout the evening and the other models also competed for the title of the Face of Fusion 2018 which was won by Tongan/Maori model Alaimaluloa Toetu’u.

The fashion design competition showcased street wear, evening wear, haute couture and Ready to Wear fashion with 4 winners being given passes to attend New Zealand Fashion Week events.

The 4 winning design awards went to Afa Ah Loo from Utah, By Karen Abdul from Melbourne, and NZ’s own Layplan and VAB Designz.

Megan Alatini was one of 3 judges on the night and she told us how she picked the winning designers "There are 3 items or main categories that I'm looking for.  I want to make sure our designers are unique and risk taking, they absolutely have to have professional creativity and flair and finally I want to make sure that they're setting some trends rather than following them so if they follow those categories and steps - I'm going to be a happy judge".

If you missed out seeing the full showcase on the night you can check out a selection of the designs from each of the designers right here.  Click on the arrows for more photos or swipe left/right on your phones.

SEWTEC FASHION ACADEMY (non competing)

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READY TO WEAR DESIGNERS SHOWCASE 

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SHEENZ 

Sheena Tavairanga - From a young age 'Sheenz' developed a love for art and fashion.  Her artistic creativity derived from her father and mother's appreciation for textiles and sewing.

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LAYPLAN 

Lavinia Mafi & Talia Betham - Formed in 2013, Layplan was a way for its founders to express creativity and build on skills they had gained while studying.

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NUMIA 

David Taumoepeau - Numia is heavily influenced by music and its various sub-cultures.  The brand's creative appeal is drawn from an appreciation of style, quality & functionality.

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VAB Designz

Dee Tuitama - VAB Designz is a NZ fashion brand that will cater to full figured females.  They aim to deliver a fierce fashion line that changes frequently in style also enhancing target areas.

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YUNG 

Yung Lualua - With a diploma in Fashion Design and a drive for continually seeking to create a point of difference.  Yungs bold style is poised to provoke beautiful possibilities.

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MAUGALUI 

Muriel Lui - MaugaLui is the creation of two professional women who have worked in Samoa and travelled the world for business to represent Samoa and the pacific.

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EVENING / AVANT GARDE DESIGNERS SHOWCASE 

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KAREN ABDUL 

Karen Lalotoa Abdul-Rahman - Melbourne based designer of the brand 'By Karen Abdul' has a true passion for all things for couture.

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POMAHINA DESIGNS 

Kanoelani Davis is a native Hawaiian graphic artist.  She draws her inspirations from her surroundings, weaving in natural elements, patterns and layers that embrace & intertwine with the work of her kupuna (ancestors)

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UNUFE DESIGNS 

Amelia Unufe - Using historical meanings as an indication of cultural significance, a story is created within each garment, meaning each design has its own value of importance.

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AFA AH LOO 

Afa Ah Loo is a self taught, self made fashion designer, originally from Samoa and now based in the USA.  His aesthetic is mostly women's evening wear and bridal but he also designs resort, urban street wear and men's wear.

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MOMOGIRL 

Johana Te Momo Komsan Mitudom - Momo in Maori means type, variety, kind or race; Momo Girl/Boy represents being empowered to be your own person, follow your heart and wear it your own way!

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CROWD STYLE 

Even the crowd got to show off their own personal style including one of our cameramen Darryl Laumua!