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WESTFIELD STYLE PASIFIKA ON AIR NZ FASHION WEEK |
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By Ruci Farrell |
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A rare collection of
designers came together for the Westfield Style Pasifika Show on the
final day of Air New Zealand Fashion Week. They presented collections
that reflect our place in the world.
Paula Coulthard, King Kapisi aka Bill Urale, and Nadine Freundlich all
celebrated New Zealand and the Pacific in their own special way.
Paula Coulthard's range, Coulthard Ltd, was inspired by the pioneering
spirit of all New Zealand's colonizers both Maori and Pakeha. Her
showpiece was an extraordinary carved wooden skirt softened by tulle
which celebrates our history as a seafaring nation. This theme was the
major influence on the collection. Her very original garments all have
a memory with vintage details and added layers of history and are a
mixture of art and fashion.
King Kapisi show an energetic collection of streetwear from his
Overstayer range and added his music to the mix. He was joined on stage
by sports stars including Steve Fergusson (NZ Olympic Kayaker), Isa
Nacewa (Auckland Rugby), Ben Atiga (Auckland Rugby) modelling for
OverStayer.
Nadine Freundlich used sumptuous fabrics for 05 Cider MacPherson
Collection which was a playful anthology conveying the diversity of New
Zealand's many cultures. Her opening garment was a stunning mens semi
tailored coat with pleats and suit with a twist in Bremner merino
tartan.
Each year as winter fades into spring Auckland City stages this supreme
fashion event to celebrate innovation and showcase a fusion of vibrant
Maori and Pacific contemporary designs and concepts. It may be early
days yet but the irresistible warm influence of the Pacific could soon
spread its exotic way on to the planks of Milan’s fashion boulevard if
not Europe, UK, US and the Sydney and London Fashion Weeks.
And while it might be seem far fetched to see supermodel Naomi Campbell
in a pulutasi, slaves of fashion on the hunt for fresh innovative ideas
have found plenty inspiration in the bosom of the Pacific.
Design student Louise Davies who won past year’s Supreme Versace Award
has always had a fascination for all things Pacific. “Whenever I think
of the Pacific I think of an explosion of bright, vibrant colours and
flowers,” she says. |
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Each
year Auckland City stages this supreme fashion event to
celebrate innovation and showcase a fusion of vibrant Maori and
Pacific contemporary designs and concepts. |
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In
all Westfield Stle Pasefika shows that Stan Wolfgramm
co-ordinated he is mindful of the importance of paying homage to
tangata whenua. |
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Stan
has designs to take Westfield Pasifika Style Fashion to the
world and to draw deeper into the depths of the Pacific. |
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Media watchdogs acknowledge
Westfield Pasifika Style Fashion has come into its own as it now bears
the tag of international supermaket icon Westfield and its supreme
award enjoys a privileged association with Milan’s House of Versace.
Eleven years ago, the seeds for Pasifika Style were sown in a small
hall in west Auckland. But over the last eight years, Stan Wolfgramm
has been the engine room that has kept the Pacific fashion scene
intact. It has since grown sturdy roots that will gurantee its
survival. Stan describes himself as a storyteller of sorts who is no
stranger to entertainment and fashion. He’s covered the whole gamut of
acting, dancing, writing, choreography, and poetry. “Every now and then
I look for something big so I turn overseas for more of the
international stuff.”
Stan has designs to take Westfield Pasifika Style Fashion to the world
and to draw deeper into the depths of the Pacific to enhance what we in
New Zealand have conceptualized.
“I have worked with the ‘new generation of designers’ for more than 10
years and I have been saying for a long time that we have a wealth of
innovation and creativity in this country,” said past judge Kim Fraser
from Auckland’s Fashion Incubator. “Every designer featured on the
stage deserves recognition for their endeavors and they can truly stand
up and be proud, “ continued Kim.
Westfield New Zealand’s Director John Widdup commented that Westfield
Style Pasifika was part of the company’s contribution to the New
Zealand community and the commitment to encourage innovation and the
development of local fashion talent and the fashion business. In all
shows that Stan Wolfgramm co-ordinated he is mindful of the importance
of paying homage to tangata whenua — an aspect that did not escape the
Maori Queen Dame Te Arikuni Te Atairangikaahu on awards night.
Prime Minister Helen Clark once participated in the Wearable Arts
Awards was relieved she was spared the agonizing walk on the plank at
the Westfield Pasifika Style Fashion Awards — “too much skin for
comfort”.
So where is Pacific fashion heading? In the race to be on par with what
is considered trendy and acceptable in fashion are we abandoning the
traditional elements that carry the pride and identity of the many
different Pasifika strains? Stan says: “You’ll see it all on the stage,
that’s where the next generation is coming from, they are the
innovation behind the direction of where we’re heading. New designs,
new materials. For us too its like oh gosh, what are they thinking of?”
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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