Kiri Nathan opens New Zealand Fashion Week 2023

NIT Published August 29, 2023 at 10.30am (AWST)

culture

Distinguished fashion label Kiri Nathan has opened this year's New Zealand Fashion Week. (Image: Zain Battye)

Kiri Nathan, a distinguished fashion label renowned for its intricate interweaving of culture, tradition, and contemporary designs, took centre stage at the grand opening of NZFW23, Kahuria on Tuesday.

The exquisite event unfolded at the prestigious venue, The Viaduct, located in Aukland's reinvigorated Wynyard Quarter.

Embracing te ao Māori, Kiri Nathan honours whakapapa (genealogy) while offering a design aesthetic inspired by the natural beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Model walking the Kiri Nathan runway. (Image: Zain Battye)

Each piece carries pūrākau (stories) and deeper hononga (connection) to te taiao (the environment).

The show commenced with a culturally immersive performance accompanied by visual audio stating, "Kiri Nathan is the first Indigenous designer to open NZFW, but certainly won't be the last", to which left the crowd cheering and clapping.

Kiri Nathan showcases culturally immersive performance on the runway. (Image: Rosaria Daniel)

Known for the mastery of traditional weaving techniques and intricate embroidery, Nathan's designs consistently paid homage to the rich history and stories of her ancestors.

Creating a captivating show beginning with designs inspired by the era's from the 1600's to the 1900s', models walked with grace as each piece showcased their cutting-edge aesthetics.

Models showcasing the era inspired garments on Kiri Nathan runway/Image: Zain Battye — Models showcasing the era inspired garments on Kiri Nathan runway. (Images: Zain Battye)

Amidst the crescendo of awe-inspiring showcases, an unforgettable moment emerged when a model stepped forward while her garment was being spray-painted with profound messaging "Tumanako" that conveys the Māori word for hope.

The audience stood as the curiosity heightened of the reveal, and were left with excitement as the model walked across the runway wearing the freshly sprayed garment.

Model walking wearing freshly spray painted garment on the Kiri Nathan runway/Image: Zain Battye

As the applause resonated through the venue, it was evident that Kiri Nathan's presence at the helm of New Zealand Fashion Week 2023 marked a significant moment in the world of fashion and culture.

In a world where diversity and authenticity are increasingly valued, Kiri Nathan's opening show set a tone of inclusivity and respect for heritage.

As the week unfolds and fashion enthusiasts gather to celebrate creativity, Nathan's influence will undoubtedly continue to reverberate, reminding us all of the beauty that arises when tradition and modernity intertwine on the runway.