Eyelights is a new gallery opening at Te Papa on Wednesday 18 July, with two distinct displays. Eyelights South will
house Fashion Now a long-term display of New Zealand contemporary fashion, design and specialist clothing. Eyelights
North will display a cross section of the museum's smaller treasures.
Fashion Now explores innovative and iconic New Zealand clothing - from theatrical costume to ready-to-wear, from Mäori
and Pacific designs to leading-edge sportswear.
Six new display cases will tell the stories of local design, industry, skill and artistry,
and show examples of innovative and iconic contemporary New Zealand clothes. The themes of the cases are Contemporary
Fashion Design, Entertainment Icons, Innovative Sports Design, Contemporary Pacific Design, Avant Garde and Contemporary
Mäori Design.
The content will change every six months allowing a broad range of designs to be showcased. The opening garments include
‘Pearl print dress’ by Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester’s ‘Doiley dress and shoes’, Xena: Warrior Princess’ signature outfit
and the ‘Coconut Tree Dress’ by Asomaliu Fou Tagiilima.
Eyelights North includes historic garments and accessories from Te Papa’s collection, British and European ceramics and
metalwork from the Walter Cook collection, and contemporary jewellery by noted artists such as Paul Annear, and Inia
Taylor. There will also be an historic New Zealand Rail model collection as well as model Pacific Island canoes and
ceramic pots from Papua New Guinea.
Eyelights is an ongoing display and admission is free.
ENDS