Mirododa Maori Fashion Design Winners Announced
In what was described as ‘Project Runway stylz’, by a budding fashion designer, the inaugural Miromoda Maori Fashion
Design Award’s first time outing was a resounding success.
Sydney based Miromoda Co-cordinator, Rex Turnbull said the downsizing of the initial gala fashion show was mostly
governed by the difficulty in being a newbie on the block and securing sponsorship during a recession, “but hey, we can
do Project Runway stylz,” says Turnbull.
Because ANZFW Founding Director, Pieter Stewart had already offered the new entity a showcase event at NZ’s premiere
fashion event, ANZFW in September, cancellation was never considered says Turnbull.
“Essentially, we had to firstly find the designers, then organise a competition event that would realise at least six
Maori fashion designers to showcase at ANZFW.”
Turnbull says with the first competition over, there is no doubt entries in the future will grow significantly, with
most if not all, design finalists in the inaugural competition stating they are already committed to next year’s event.
Hosted in the Tearooms at Massey University’s Grand Hall on Saturday, a total of 21 Maori Fashion designers in four
categories vied for the opportunity to show at ANZFW and cash prizes. A travel and accommodation prize package to show
at an indigenous fashion show at Planet IndigenUS Festival in Toronto in August was also up for grabs for the overall
winner.
Wiremu Barriball, a shoe, sunglasses and pressure sportswear designer from Titahi Bay was delighted to pick up the
Established section winner but was later completely surprised to be named as the recipient of the Toronto prize package.
“I was so worried about my latest stock arriving in time for the established category entry, that I didn’t even read the
website properly because I knew nothing about the overall prize, so I’m rapt as!”
Like other competing designers, Wiremu described being questioned by head judge, Pieter Stewart during his 10-minute
presentation as, “Amazing! She asked some straight up questions, that showed she really knows her stuff, I was just glad
I was able to answer her.”
Joining Stewart on the judging panel was Min Georgina te Heuheu, Liz Mellish, Dr Khyla Russell and Simon Wi Rutene.
Finding suitable Maori models proved challenging for logistics organiser, Jenna Dudley who resorted to putting a call
out to Secondary Schools after Wellington Model agency, the Agencie ‘ had only limited Maori models available.
Eventually using just two professional models and eight secondary school students, mostly from Upper Hutt College,
Dudley says they were keen and proved their worth by really enjoying the day. “One young model told me it had been the
best day in her entire life.”
Miromoda Maori Fashion Design Awards Results:
1. Established Designer and Miromoda Overall Winner:
Wiremu Barriball (Titahi Bay); Runner up Kirsha Whitcher (Hastings).
2. Emerging Designer Winner: Kiri Nathan (Auckland); Runner up Samara Vercoe (Nelson).
3. Haute Couture Designer Winner: Keri Wanoa & Hemi Sungren (Waitara); Tutina Pasene (Otaki).
4. Tee Shirt Placement Winner: Shane Hansen (Auckland); Runner up Bianca Walford-Collier (Wellington).
ENDS