Spin on high fashion

AUCKLAND - Melanesian designers will showcase their spin on high fashion for the first time at the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show in Auckland on Saturday.

The event returns for its fourth year with a collection of creations from 13 emerging Pasifika and Maori designers.

Organisers say a wide range of fashion styles from Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, United States, Australia and New Zealand will be on display.

The show will also feature a new generation of skills from streetwear to resort wear.

Four Melanesians are taking part. That includes Lava Grossmith from Solomon Islands who has been involved in the industry for 30 years.

She was self-taught by her mother who was a tailor and said her designs are influenced by her roots. She enjoys creating outfits that can be worn at all occassions - from the casual, street, evening and bridal wear.

Ms Grossmith, who hails from West Kola Ridge, also specialises in plus-size wear and aims to make fashion comfortable for everyone. She runs her own tailoring business, Lava’s Original Fashion Wear.

The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show is the brainchild of stylist and social entrepreneur Nora Swann.

Having worked in the industry for seven years, she has seen a real need for emerging designers to test their ideas in the marketplace.

“My goal is to provide the essential skills the designers require to help them reach their full potential that will enable them to bring out their best,” she said. “This show is about out potential and our unique spin on high-fashion.”

“Since our first show in 2016, many designers have reached out because they believe in our philosophy.