Pacific flavour for fashion world
A Pacific fashion event is making its stamp on the New Zealand fashion calendar.
Directed by stylist Nora Swann, Pacific Fusion Fashion Show is back for its second year in south Auckland.
The event, which is the largest high-end Pacific fashion event in the country, will take over the Otara Town Centre in August ahead of New Zealand Fashion Week. Originally hailing from Otara, Swann said it was extra special having the event in the heart of the town centre and focus on the good coming out of Otara.
‘‘Some of the initial reactions were: why are you bringing it here to Otara; but why not Otara?’’ Swann said.
‘‘There’s so much potential here . . . Pacific Fusion is very community focused and we’re bringing this back to the community.’’
Pacific Fusion first came about when Swann realised there weren’t any major fashion events for Maori and Pacific designers and decided to change that.
With six years in the fashion industry, she pulled together a crew for last year’s inaugural event at an East Tamaki car dealership, with plans to hold it at different locations every year.
The event was a mammoth effort, but worth it, she said, with funding and sponsorships from Otara-papatoetoe Local Board and Otara Business Association, among others.
‘‘The first show was really hard to sell to people but now that’s given us the proof of the concept for us to be able to have it again
"Why not Otara? There's so much potential here.'' Pacific Fusion Fashion Show director Nora Swann
this year.’’
The event aims to celebrate diversity and features upcoming designers, stylists, and models from New Zealand, the Pacific and the United States.
The show helped kickstart Ann Marie Williams’ modelling career it was her first time trying her hand at anything like that.
‘‘I thought: maybe I should try this and give it a go.
‘‘I really enjoyed it, I like getting out of my comfort zone and pushing myself,’’ Williams said.
With more modelling experience under her belt, Williams is returning to this year’s event and has been coaching the new models through the process.
She said it was about time an event like this was held in south Auckland.
‘‘This is something I’m proud to be representing. We’re all united and come from different backgrounds. It’s awesome, especially for young people.’’
Pacific Fusion will be held on August 26.