28 June 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
Fashion commentators applaud Miromoda
Prior to announcing the winners at Saturday’s Miromoda Fashion Design Awards competition at Massey University’s Tea Gardens, NZ Fashion Week Brand co-ordinator and Miromoda head judge, Nikki Harmsen summarised the defining reasons for selecting seven Maori Fashion Designers to show at the 2010 NZ Fashion Week in September.
Miromoda Overall Winner 2010
“We were blown away at the calibre of the winning entries and excited at the potential Miromoda has in the future, especially what Miromoda will be showing at NZ Fashion Week to national and international media.
Equally supportive was Fashion Industry NZ (FINZ) Executive Officer and fellow judge Mapihi Opai. She said the winning designers in the emerging section in particular demonstrated a cultural subtlety in their very commercial designs that from an industry perspective is the critical factor. “We were so excited by one collection, we jumped up from our judging seats, grabbed a belt then twisted and shaped some of the pieces to form even more versions of a very clever and beautiful collection.”
Publisher of Lucire fashion magazine, Jack Yan and Wellington Mayoral candidate was also part of the judging panel and critiqued the entries from a magazine photo shoot perspective.
Miromoda’s Emerging Designer winner, Blair Archibald (Ngati Ruanui) also earned the status of Overall Winner for his nostalgic Menswear Collection. On top of showing at NZ Fashion Week, Archibald will receive return travel to Sydney and a VIP Front Row package to Sydney’s Rosemount Fashion Festival in August. The AUT graduate student who served his internship with Kate Sylvester last year said he didn’t expect to win, as he was aware a classmate whom he has huge respect for had also entered.
As it turns out, his classmate and close friend Adrienne Whitewood (Rongowhakata) was runner up in the same section and will also show at NZ Fashion Week.
“I didn’t expect to win because I thought Adrienne would with her amazing collection,” said Archibald then added, “I do feel blessed to have been recognized for my work and for incorporating my Grandfather’s wairua in my clothing. Being able to show at NZ Fashion Week is like being told you’ve reached the promised-land,” said Archibald.
For Whitewood, she is thrilled to be going to NZ Fashion week but also grateful for the networking at the Miromoda event and the constructive feedback she received from the judging panel.
“The judges gave me constructive critique about things I had never thought of before in terms of styling my collection. Next year I’m hoping to do my masters and really want to question and explore how I can push my collection into international markets.”
Miromoda Co Founder Rex Turnbull said the organisation was much easier than the debut competition last year, “the standard of entries was higher, and made more competitive by being presented on outstanding Maori models whose hair and makeup styling was simply stunning.”
A team from Wellington’s hair salon chain, getfunkd and headed by national judge, Warren Dion Smith, provided the hair and make up styling and will follow Miromoda to NZ Fashion Week. Likewise, national fashion shoe brand, Wild Pair.
ENDS
Official Results: Miromoda Maori Fashion Design Awards Competition – 26 June, 2010
Overall Winner: Blaire Archibald (Ngati Ruanui)
Established Winner: Aroha Wikotu (Whakatohea – Tuhoe)
Emerging Designer Winner: Blaire Archibald
Emerging Designer Runner-Up: Adrienne Whitewood (Rongowhakaata)
Haute Couture Winner: Ana Hau (Ngapuhi - Te Rarawa)
Haute Couture Runner-Up: Shona Tawhiao (Ngai Te Rangi)
Tee Shirt Placement Winner: Amber Bridgman (Kai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe and Waitaha)
Tee Shirt Placement Runner-Up: Kereama Taepa (Te Arawa – Te Ati Awa)
For more information please contact:
Ata Te Kanawa Miromoda Project Manager 04 473 0557
Katrina Matete Miromoda Project Coordinator 04 473 0557
IMAGES:
High res images are available of Blair Archibald and Adrienne Whitewood with one of their models. Please credit photographer Karla Steedman.
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Phone. 04 473 0557 | Mobile. 027 554 3382 | Facsimile. 04 473 0558 | Email. ata@tumai.co.nz | Website. www.tumaimagazine.com
Official Miromoda Launch
By his own admission, Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga pre warned his audience he was about to perform a “fairly bad version of a Superman stint.” But slinking out of his suit jacket, asking the music be turned up while he slung off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt was in good taste, for a good cause and amusing entertainment.
Officially launching Miromoda - the Indigenous Maori Fashion Apparel Board at Parliament last night, the new MP delighted a surprised, but appreciative, crowd of Miromoda supporters, when he revealed a Miromoda tee shirt under his shirt.
However, his popularity was matched when wife Natalie Bridges, Editor for Simply You and Simply Living magazines, won both the men and women over as the guest speaker. Miromoda co-founder Ata Te Kanawa said while it may have been the new Member of Parliament’s domain, his wife Natalie was very much in her own realm and well received by the 60 invited guests for her speech on ‘Fashion in the Recession.’
“Natalie won both the men and women over with her passionate delivery, sense of presence and style, genuine information on sustainable fashion and the importance of quality”. Adding, “Her political spin on the Government’s proposed 9-day fortnight, by suggesting people purchase only nine garments instead of 10 this winter was cute.”
Guests were privy to the launch of Miromoda’s new website, its impending Fashion Awards Event in June at Massey University for established and emerging Maori fashion designers, and its showcase of winners event at the Air New Zealand Fashion Week (ANZFW).
Founded in 2008, Miromoda is a non-profit organisation instituted to advance the quality status of Maori fashion design and to raise its artistic and professional standards; to define a code of ethical practices of mutual benefit in public and trade relations; and, to promote appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in high quality and aesthetic discernment.
Miromoda received robust support at its initial meeting from Creative NZ, tertiary institutions and industry representatives including Founding Director of ANZFW, Pieter Stewart.
Although unable to attend last night’s launch, Stewart sent a letter of apology acknowledging she looks forward to ‘working closely with everyone involved with Miromoda in the future, and to help bring this exciting vision to reality. It will be a very proud moment when we see the first Miromoda show on the catwalk at Air New Zealand Fashion Week.’
In 2007, an estimated $23million contributed to the NZ economy via ANZFW, it is envisaged that Maori designers and key stake holders will play a role in the future of fashion in New Zealand.
Italian fashion House - Mittlemoda representative, Stefano Sopelza has already offered an internship to the winner of the Emerging section of the Miromoda Fashion Awards Competition.
KEY POINTS
- Miromoda is committed to nurturing the development of the Maori fashion industry’s future designers.
- Miromoda’s educational initiatives will provide support and strengthen resources for students at high school, tertiary and post-graduate levels.
- Miromoda will support working designers in the early stages of their careers, and should they require it, mentoring throughout their future including international profile and participation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Ata Te Kanawa
Office: (04) 473 05570, Mobile: 027 554 3382
Email: ata@miromoda.com
Tags: Air New Zealand Fashion Week, ANZFW, Ata Te Kanawa, fashion, indigenous, launch, Maori, MiroModa, moda, mode, New Zealand, Pieter Stewart, The awards