Rugby And Fashion Fuse In Best Of Pasifika
Rugby World Cup 2011 festivities fuse with fashion at this year’s Westfield Best of Style Pasifika NZ 2011 – a one off
exclusive extravaganza over two nights which will put New Zealand’s fashion stars in the international spotlight and up
there with world-class designers.
As part of the Best of Style Pasifika NZ 2011, New Zealand and Pacific designers, both novices and seasoned, are invited
to enter the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards, an event that has launched the careers of many talented young
designers.
Westfield Style Pasifika gives new and emerging designers a platform to showcase their style and ability to the New
Zealand public and fashion industry. This year, they will get to do it in front of international guests here for Rugby
World Cup 2011 and as part of the REAL New Zealand Festival promoting New Zealand to the world.
Westfield Style Pasifika, now in its 17th year is an iconic New Zealand event and the world’s largest indigenous fashion
event. The awards within the event challenge designers to produce cutting edge fashion inspired by the unique and
colourful fusion of Pasifika. The result is an explosion of fashion, art and culture, defining a unique New Zealand
style.
Renowned New Zealand creative director and show producer Stan Wolfgramm, is encouraging people of all ages and
backgrounds to enter this year’s show, as he says the event will be bigger and better than anything seen before.
Westfield Style Pasifika – Best of Pasifika NZ 2011, one of four flagship events to be supported by government during
Rugby World Cup 2011, will be a truly unique night out that celebrates New Zealand’s place in the Pacific in spectacular
style.
Winning designs from the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards will be on stage, shoulder-to-shoulder with rugby
inspired one-off collections created by celebrated New Zealand designers and top international fashion designers from
nations participating in the Rugby World Cup tournament.
“This is our chance to tell our story to the world Our journey as a nation and as a region will be told through a
spectacular multi-media show, weaving uniquely New Zealand elements of Pasifika music, dance and design. Style Pasifika
fashion is important as it reflects our cultural identify and creative expression which is our point of difference to
the world,” Stan says.
In this special Best of Westfield Style Pasifika year, organisers have made a change to the number and type of award
categories available to enter. In 2011 competition categories will focus on three categories of design excellence -
Traditionally Inspired, Colonial Pasifika 3 Piece Collection and Multicultural Pasifika Style.
Stan Wolfgramm says, “We want designers to let their imaginations run wild and celebrate our place in the world, in a
very special year.”
Apart from featuring in the exclusive event, finalists get the chance to win up to $15,000 in prizes.
For the first time in the 17 year history of the Westfield Style Pasifika Awards, the judges’ results will be publicly
announced before the show in August and September. All finalists and winners will then be showcased as part of the 2011
Best of Westfield Style Pasifika show events in October.
The task of selecting the best designs of the year will be delegated to an expert panel of judges including leading New
Zealand fashion designers Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, Francis Hooper, Liz Mitchell, AUT Senior Lecturer in Spatial Design
Albert Refiti and Reiha Ihaka from Max Fashions.
Entrants can be any age and the competition is open to everyone from those with no design experience, to aspiring and
accomplished emerging fashion designers.
To enter Westfield Style Pasifika simply download the form at www.stylepasifika.co.nz. Entry information is also available at Westfield malls and fashion, textile and design schools nationwide. All entry
forms must be received by 8 July 2011, with garments submitted by 30 July 2011. Finalists and winners will be featured
as part of the Westfield Style Pasifika – Best of Pasifika NZ 2011 show events in October.
ENDS