Kharl WiRepa joins forces with Aoteaoroa’s top East Coast designers

Phoebe Blogg Published September 5, 2023 at 4.45am (AWST)

fashion

Kharl WiRepa on the Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana - The Sea is Rising runway (Image Ryan McKenna)

Renowned for his elaborate gowns, Kharl WiRepa is the award-winning evening wear designer whose couture house was the first to be printed in the pages of the September issue of British Vogue.

Having showcased on the catwalks of Paris, London, Sydney, Japan and now New Zealand Fashion Week, WiRepa is a respected and well-known name in the fashion and broader creative industry.

Aside from holding his very own New Zealand Fashion Week, WiRepa has also joined forces with a collective of designers from Aoteaoroa's East Coast to present the Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana - The Sea is Rising runway show and collection.

Striving to shine a light on the talent of both WiRepa and local designers, this collaboration aimed to ignite conversations about environmental stewardship and the preservation of cultural identity.

Presented alongside Māori cultural performance group 'Te Whānau-ā-Apanui' strived to further elevate the narrative of Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana. This was displayed via the group's knowledge and expertise in traditional arts and connection to indigenous heritage – which was shown through deep storytelling and cultural symbolism.

'Te Whānau-ā-Apanui' group performing on the Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana - The Sea is Rising runway, at New Zealand Fashion Week, Kahuria (Image Ryan McKenna)

Model on the Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana - The Sea is Rising runway at New Zealand Fashion Week, Kahuria (Image Ryan McKenna)

Whilst this collaboration was created to spark conversations about environmental stewardship and cultural identity, it also ignited conversations surrounding the topic of local talent and the need for greater media and industry attention on these individuals.

Seeing an established designer collaborate with emerging local designers is yet another way New Zealand Fashion Week, Kahuria returned with a bang.

This year New Zealand Fashion Week, Kahuria has provided opportunities for both emerging and established designers to showcase their work.

WiRepa and the selected handful of Aoteaoroa designers, worked together to create a collaboration that touched on both parties, values, inspiration and adoration for both the fashion industry and their culture.

Model walking on the Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana - The Sea is Rising runway at New Zealand Fashion Week, Kahuria (Image Ryan McKenna)

This crossover was a reminder that the fashion industry was built as a collaborative space. Established designers pave the way for new talent, whilst emerging talent sets the new standard.

In 2023 the fusion and collaboration between creatives is crucial and that is exactly what we saw last week on the Tangaroa Te Ihi Moana runway.

For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle news subscribe to the Style Up newsletter.