Maori Fashion Competition Draws Near
Media Release
22 June 2009
Twenty Maori fashion design finalists entered in the inaugural Miromoda Fashion Design Awards will know by Saturday
evening (June 27), if vying for the honour and opportunity to showcase at Air New Zealand Fashion Week in September, has
become a reality for them, or not.
While organisers are disappointed to have downsized the competition from a glitzy fashion competition show to a much
smaller invitation-only event, the gloss has not wavered for the competitors. “Designers are excited, if not nervous, to
have the opportunity to be judged by ANZFW Founding Director, Pieter Stewart,” says Project Manager Ata Te Kanawa.
As an outcome of a meeting of representatives of the fashion industry and tertiary sector, as well as Maori fashion
commentators in June 2008, Pieter Stewart demonstrated her support for the establishment of Miromoda and nurturing Maori Fashion Designers, by offering a showcase spot at ANZFW 2009.
The totally unexpected offer prompted considerable interest in what Stewart described as ‘possibly realising a new genre
of New Zealand fashion’. For organisers, however grateful, it meant a tight deadline had to be met and sponsorship
sought. Given the economic climate, sponsorship proved difficult making the smaller show a more realistic option.
“Regardless of the size of our competition event in Wellington, Miromoda is committed to sourcing at least six Maori
fashion designers to show at ANZFW in Auckland come September and we’re pleased we can concentrate solely on doing that
for them,” says Te Kanawa.
The overall Miromoda winner will also accept a travel and accommodation packaged invitation to show at Planet Indigenous
festival fashion show in Toronto in August.
Joining Pieter Stewart on the judging panel is Natalie Bridges (Editor Simply You and Simply Living Magazine), Hon
Georgina Te Heuheu, Liz Mellish (Wellington Tenths Trust), Ray Ahipere Mercer (Wellington City Councillor) and Dr Khyla
Russell (Otago Polytechnic).
And in a Maori strong line up, models have been sourced from Wellington model agency – the Agencie as well as several Secondary schools students.
“We have a line up of potential super models who answered the call and will now front the biggest corporate name in New
Zealand Fashion, so being discovered on Saturday, is not just confined to the designers”, says Jenna Dudley, Miromoda co-ordinator.
Platinum hair stylist and national judge, Warren Dion Smith of getfunked salons will head the hair and make up team in the anticipated fashion fun packed afternoon at Massey University’s
Tearooms.
ENDS