The show fused the traditional and the contemporary, with an emphasis on beautifully constructed garments with a pacific twist. The judging panel this year consisted of World designers Denise LEstrange-Corbet and Francis Hooper, Liz Mitchell, Albert Refiti – Senior Lecturer in Spatial Design at AUT and Rehia Ihaka – MAX Fashions, Buying Manager. The panel joined forces to deliberate over the 10 categories and the supreme winner, with the top award and the runner up going to menswear designer, Sandra Tupu of Titirangi.
Sandra took out the MAX Three Piece Collection of Day Wear and then the Barkers Pasifika Menswear category before going on to win the WESTFIELD STYLE PASIFIKA 2010 SUPREME WINNER and RUNNER UP prizes with both of her collections respectively.
Judge Denise LEstrange-Corbet from World said it was unprecedented that a designer had taken out both the Supreme Award and Runner Up. It shows the strength of the collection. She was a stand-out winner, she said, Her garments were modern, had quirky twists, which we always like, and blended together really well. It was a very commercial collection. It could be put straight into a store, and will sell, and that is what it is about”.
Tupus winning collections titled Tatau drew inspiration from Samoan tattoo. The art of tatau is deeply embedded into Samoan culture and history and my collection explores this. Its part of my heritage, my inspiration and my passion, Sandra said of the winning designs, which feature artfully draped trench coating and an innovative use of natural materials such as antique flour bags, army blankets, calico and merino wool. Tupu chose to use recycled materials as a reconnection with her roots; my grandmother made many things with old flour bags and used natural fabrics to give my designs a grounded down-to-earth feel. I wanted a style that was relaxed and comfortable but also slightly dishevelled, projecting a wise and worn look. said Tupu.
Other sartorial highlights from the show included the intricate feather work on the bodice of an evening dress and a delicate birds wing as a pocket stay featured in entries from Amber Bridgman (Dunedin). Louina Fifita and Linda Lepous three piece collection for the Youthtown Traditionally Inspired category was the perfect combination of fashion and tradition, with carefully draped and pleated white shirts against sprayed on trousers made out of pacific nations flags. Lastly, one of my personal highlights was the sculptured tapa blazer and ultra short hotpant suit from James Leuii for the NZAF Pasifika Hero category.
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The Supreme Winner takes away $3000 in prize money and two return tickets to the Pacific on Pacific Blue. The runner-up wins $2000 in prize money. Each category winner receives $1000.
Winners and runners up in each of the 10 Westfield Style Pasifika New Zealand Fashion Awards categories:
WESTFIELD STYLE PASIFIKA 2010 SUPREME WINNER
Sandra Tupu (Titirangi, Auckland)
Runner up
Sandra Tupu (Titirangi, Auckland)
MAC Pasifika Body Art
To be confirmed
Youthtown Traditionally Inspired
Winner: Lindah Lepou & Louina Fifita (Mt Eden, Auckland)
Runner up: Kohai Grace (Porirua)
Resene Asia Pasifika
Winner: Vanessa Roscoe (Mangere, Auckland)
Runner up: Margaret Lewis (Westmere, Auckland)
MAX Three Piece Collection of Day Wear
Winner: Sandra Tupu (Titirangi, Auckland)
Runner up: Blaire Archibald (Mt Eden, Auckland)
NZAF Pasifika Hero
Winner: James Leuii (Westmere, Auckland)
Runner up: Naomi Spicer & Terry Whaitiri (Parnell, Auckland)
Flava Urban Street Wear
Winner: Margaret Lewis (Westmere, Auckland)
Runner up: Faafoi Robyn Seaso (Porirua)
Barkers Pasifika Menswear
Winner: Sandra Tupu (Titirangi, Auckland)
Runner up: Amber Bridgman (Dunedin)
getfunkd Hutt Evening Wear
Winner: Sharah Friis (Tauranga)
Runner up: Hayley Erasmus (Mt Maunganui)
Pacific Blue Pasifika Bridal
Winner: Debra Laraman (KatiKati)
Runner up: Visesio Louis Thomsen (Manurewa, Auckland)
Te Puni K?kiri Parent & Child
Winner: Erna Van Der Wat (Rothesay Bay, Auckland)
Runner up: Hannah Blackburn (Palmerston North)
View all of the winners in our image gallery here.
Article by Julia Dick