Simon Bridges MP launches Miromoda

MEDIA RELEASE

12 March 2009

By his own admission, Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga pre warned his audience he was about to perform a “fairly bad version of a Superman stint.”
But slinking out of his suit jacket, asking the music be turned up while he slung off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt was in good taste, for a good cause and amusing entertainment.

Officially launching Miromoda – the Indigenous Maori Fashion Apparel Board at Parliament last night, the new MP delighted a surprised, but appreciative, crowd of Miromoda supporters, when he revealed a Miromoda tee shirt under his shirt.
However, his popularity was matched when wife, Editor for Simply You and Simply Living magazines, Natalie Bridges won both the men and women over as the guest speaker.

Miromoda co-founder and TU MAI magazine Editor, Ata Te Kanawa said while it may have been the new Member of Parliament’s domain, his wife Natalie was very much in her own realm and well received by the 60 invited guests for her speech on ‘Fashion in the Recession.’

“Natalie won both the men and women over with her passionate delivery, sense of presence and style, genuine information on sustainable fashion and the importance of quality”. Adding, “Her political spin on the Government’s proposed 9-day fortnight, by suggesting people purchase only nine garments instead of 10 this winter was cute.”

Guests were privy to the launch of Miromoda’s new website, its impending Fashion Awards Event in June at Massey University for established and emerging Maori fashion designers, and its showcase of winners event at the Air New Zealand Fashion Week (ANZFW).
Founded in 2008, Miromoda is a non-profit organisation instituted to advance the quality status of Maori fashion design and to raise its artistic and professional standards; to define a code of ethical practices of mutual benefit in public and trade relations; and, to promote appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in high quality and aesthetic discernment.

Miromoda received robust support at its initial meeting from Creative NZ, tertiary institutions and industry representatives including Founding Director of ANZFW, Pieter Stewart.

Although unable to attend last night’s launch, Stewart sent a letter of apology acknowledging she looks forward to ‘working closely with everyone involved with Miromoda in the future, and to help bring this exciting vision to reality. It will be a very proud moment when we see the first Miromoda show on the catwalk at Air New Zealand Fashion Week.’

In 2007, an estimated $23million contributed to the NZ economy via ANZFW, it is envisaged that Maori designers and key stake holders will play a role in the future of fashion in New Zealand.

Italian fashion House - Mittlemoda representative, Stefano Sopelza has already offered an internship to the winner of the Emerging section of the Miromoda Fashion Awards Competition.

KEY POINTS
• Miromoda is committed to nurturing the development of the Maori fashion industry’s future designers.
• Miromoda’s educational initiatives will provide support and strengthen resources for students at high school, tertiary and post-graduate levels.
• Miromoda will support working designers in the early stages of their careers, and should they require it, mentoring throughout their future including international profile and participation.

ENDS

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