Dunedin clothing label Nom*d is among the first designers confirmed to be showing at this year’s New Zealand Fashion Week.
The label will join a line-up of top New Zealand designers including Kate Sylvester, Juliette Hogan, Kathryn Wilson and Campbell Luke to walk the catwalk at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland from August 29 to September 2.
Nom*d creative director Margi Robertson says Nom*d has been involved with New Zealand Fashion Week since its inception in one way or another.
"We believe Fashion Week is an important cultural moment on the calendar and a great opportunity to present our latest collections of course, but more than that, it is a chance for the wider fashion industry and fashion fans to come together and celebrate New Zealand creativity and support each other. We are excited to be joining the schedule for 2023."
Fashion Week general manager Yasmin Farry says the organisation is committed to championing New Zealand’s cultural heritage, so this year designer Kiri Nathan will open the week - the first Māori designer to do so.
Nathan (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Paoa), MNZM and Sir Peter Blake leader, has had former prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Michelle Obama wear her designs. She dressed Jojo Rabbit Oscar nominee Chelsea Winstanley for the red carpet and Te Papa holds her pieces.
She specialises in bespoke fashion, pounamu jewellery and handwoven kākahu (garments). At the request of the then New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, Nathan hand-wove two contemporary kākahu, to cloak women in all future dame investiture ceremonies.
"We are committed to social cohesion and the informed wellbeing of people and planet. Our purpose is for intergenerational benefit. Ka ara ake tētahi, ka ara ake te katoa — one lifts, we all lift.
"The Kiri Nathan collection for New Zealand Fashion Week 2023 is based on the haerenga of fashion for Māori, from kākahu muka through to today and a look into the future.
"It's an honour to be the first Māori designer to open NZ Fashion Week and we’ll be showing our respect to the Māori makers and weavers of kākahu and clothing based on environmental impacts."
Wilson, New Zealand’s premiere footwear designer and Sir Peter Blake Trust leadership award winner, will celebrate 20 years of creating innovative, fashion footwear .
"New Zealand Fashion Week is considered the pinnacle event for guests who love fashion and want to support local brands, so we’re thrilled to be back again this year bringing our footwear to life with beautiful styling, up-lifting music and diverse models to create memorable experiences for customers."
Hogan says she is thrilled to be showing at fashion week this year and will be showcasing a summer collection for the first time.
"I really appreciate the way a show pushes me and my team to be more creative, and it is so rewarding when all the hard work comes together with the energy and magic that only a show can really achieve."
Tickets for fashion week will be on sale from early July.
