The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show returns for its fourth year this month. Image supplied.
The celebrated Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS) is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month with the event returning for its fourth consecutive year on October 5th. The exciting South Auckland event features Pacific-inspired high fashion garments created by 13 NZ and Pacific designers.
“We received a high calibre of designer applications from Aotearoa, Australia, Samoa, Tonga, and four Melanesian designers from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea,” says Event Director Nora Swann. “We are especially excited to feature a strong line up of Melanesian designers who were able to showcase this year with the generous support of our New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
The theme for this year’s Pacific Fusion Fashion Show is Fashion Factory which is fitting as Manukau is the industrial and business hub of South Auckland and this year’s event will take place at the Sir Noel Conference Centre at the Vodafone Event Centre. “For many Pacific people, our parents, uncles and aunties worked long hours on a factory floor. They came to fill the labour shortage desperately required in the 70’s and 80’s to help businesses and the New Zealand economy thrive and grow. They also laboured in love to provide for their children and families to have a better life.”
The designers showing in this year’s event will showcase a range of fashion styles on the runway with everything from streetwear to resort wear on display. The 2019 designers are:
– Infamy Apparel by Amy Lautogo (NZ)
– Funk n Soul 97 by Tia Semi ( Australia )
– Tahiano by Alvis and Hans Tahiano (Samoa)
– Saint Fina by Seraphina Wood (NZ)
– Afa Ah Loo by Afa Ah Loo (USA), funded by the Embassy of the United States of America in New Zealand
– Ari South by Ariyaphon Southiphong (Hawai’i), Embassy of the United States of America in New Zealand
– Talosia by Talosia Masako Haulangi & James Alexander Laverty (NZ)
– Le-Ata by Leata Mailo-McCarthy (Tonga)
– FRANTIVITY by Frances Nimeti (NZ)
– AAs Tribal Fashion by Anna Amos (Papua New Guinea), funded by MFAT, NZ
– Native Wear by Leiola Finau Rakau (Vanuatu), funded by MFAT, NZ
– Vae Tailor and Accessories by Elaine Maepio (Solomon Islands), funded by MFAT, NZ
– Lava’s Original Fashion Wear by Lava Grosssmith (Solomon Islands) funded by MFAT, NZ
“This year, we’ve been able to deliver a series of mini-events over the week to increase the social impact we are making in our community for Pacific designers and models, as well as the South Auckland community,” adds Nora. “Scaling the event from one to five days has only been possible because of the generous support of our partners and in particular – our platinum partner Number One Shoes.”
The five day event will begin with a powhiri to welcome the designers followed by a two-day Business Capability Building workshop for the designers supported by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and US Embassy. At the end of the week on Friday 4th October, one hundred young people will participate in a full day ‘Dressed in Confidence’ workshop led by Nora Swann and sponsored by Le Va.
Also on Friday will be the PFFS Pop up Shop which will enable the designers showing to sell their Pacific inspired creations directly to the public for one day only. The week cuminates in the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show on Saturday October 5th with tickets available now from Eventfinda.
Images supplied.