Tiki Inspired Garment Takes Supreme Award At Westfield Style Pasifika 2003.
A remarkable dress that took inspiration from the classic New Zealand icon, the Tiki, has won the Saks Versace Supreme Award at the11th Westfield Style Pasifika Show and Fashion Award held in Auckland recently.
Having just returned to New Zealand, after studying fashion design in Canada, Auckland-based designer Jenny Walker (26) has walked away with the New Zealand’s premiere fashion accolade. The Award, which is worth over $20,000, gives her two weeks in Milan with the Versace Classic design team with all expenses paid.
Jenny was a finalist in two sections of the Award - Traditionally Inspired and Evening Wear, and her dress also won the Traditionally Inspired section award.
“I had a particular interest in being involved in Westfield Style Pasifika as it gave me a chance to embrace the beauty of New Zealand through culture and art,” said Jenny.
“My garments were inspired by traditional art, carvings and tattoos as well as nature and scenery.”
She now intends to make fashion her life and career.
The 80 finalists for this year’s awards were selected from almost 300 garments entered in the fashion award from New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, Australia, Tonga and Fiji.
Commenting on this years Awards, judge and fashion designer Liz Mitchell said: ”It is fantastic to see extraordinary talent creating fashion that reflects New Zealand and the Pacific, it is inspirational. I have been involved in judging the Awards for a number of years and the quality has increased each year. There are many serious up and coming designers entering Westfield Style Pasifika, they see it as the forum for them to be recognised. It highlights the strength and difference of New Zealand design.”
“Last year was our first year as sponsor of Style Pasifika and we were astounded by the talent and are proud to be a part of such an event that celebrates and nutures this talent” said Director, Westfield New Zealand John Widdup.
Westfield is also sponsoring a Westfield Style Pasifika show at the LÓreal New Zealand Fashion Awards this year which will provide an opportunity for three young designers to showcase their collections.
The designers that have been chosen are Leiana Perawiti, Sera Mitchinson and Bill Urale (King Kapisi).
These three new designers are part of the Fashion Business Scholarship developed by Style Pasifika in conjunction with Community Employment Group to assist in the long term business development for Maori and Pacific Island Fashion entrepreneurs.
OTHER WINNERS:
Overall Highly Commended: Christopher Huia Woods for his Evening Wear winner titled the “Ties that Bind” (pictured right)
”The ties, knots and plaits that make up my garment represent the bonds that bring the people of the Pacific together in creative community,” said Christopher, ”and the red represents the common denominator of our people creating the distinct flavour that is Pasifika.”
Category Winners:
Traditionally Inspired – Jenny Walker, Auckland
Body Art - Carmel McCormick (pictured above)
Asia Pasifika – Jessie Galloway, Tauranga
3 Piece Collection – Suzanne Tamak, New Plymouth
Pasifika Hero – Lindah Lepou, Auckland
Urban Pasifika Streetwear – Paula Coulthard, Auckland
Pasifika Evening Wear – Christopher Huia Woods, Auckland
Pasifika Menswear – Nadine Freundich, Auckland
Pasifika Bridal – Kalya Sowden, Dunedin
Parent and Child – Tania Hueston, Christchurch
Awards:
SAKS VERSACE SUPREME AWARD - Up to two weeks in Milan with the Versace Classic design team, flights, accommodation and spending money. Valued at over $20,000
OVERALL HIGHLY COMMENDED - Cash prize of $2000
FASHION BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP FOR 3 DESIGNERS – an opportunity to develop a career in fashion by showing a collection in the Westfield Style Pasifika show at New Zealand Fashion Week plus ongoing mentoring.
CATEGORY WINNERS – Each of the ten design categories is awarded $1,000.
The judges for the Westfield Style Pasifika Award 2003 were designers Liz Mitchell, Francis Hooper and Denise L’Estrange-Corbet from World; fashion industry advisor Paul Blomfield; designer mentor Kim Fraser; and Kirsty Gregg designer from Stella Gregg.
Tiki Inspired Garment Takes Supreme Award At Westfield Style Pasifika 2003.
Commenting on this years Awards, judge and fashion designer Liz Mitchell said: ”It is fantastic to see extraordinary talent creating fashion that reflects New Zealand and the Pacific, it is inspirational. I have been involved in judging the Awards for a number of years and the quality has increased each year. There are many serious up and coming designers entering Westfield Style Pasifika, they see it as the forum for them to be recognised. It highlights the strength and difference of New Zealand design.”
OTHER WINNERS: