(Picture caption: Meiya Lemafa has been named the Face of Fusions 2024 at the recent Pacific Fusion Fashion Show. Photo credit: Milo Velasco.)
The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show has been solidified as an international fashion event, attracting audiences from around the world, while proving the Pacific community excels at high-end fashion experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In its seventh year, a sellout show, proudly sponsored by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, was successfully hosted at New Zealand Warbirds Association at Ardmore Airport recently, featuring 21 designers (including 16 emerging and seven international designers).
Organiser Nora Swann says the show also had a 170-strong and mainly Pacific production crew, 200 model casting with 85 model participants and gave the audience a full show of Pacific creations and talent, after a glimpse at New Zealand Fashion Week, in September.
“Meiya Lemafa was announced as the Face of Fusions 2024, concluding a hugely successful day one, and on day two, we staged the Youth Fashion Show, with 80 participants,” Nora adds.
“We have proven Pacific can put on high-end fashion experiences in Aotearoa.
“We know we have what it takes to put on a successful event, however we do need the support from MPP to bring big ideas to life, so we are extremely grateful to MPP and their support.”
Nora adds multiple designers have told her and the team the show is like no other in the Pacific community, or Aotearoa.
“Many of our designers participated in New Zealand Fashion Week and although it is on their to-do list, they felt it did not hold the same mana as a show hosted by Pacific people.
“A lot of our designers are now at the stage where they would like their collections showcased to an audience who will pay for their garments and although a client is a client, there is nothing more rewarding than your own family, friends and community supporting you.
“The show has created an ecosystem, authentically and proudly Pacific, where our cultural values are embedded in its production, and this has been a major drawcard for our designers and models.”
Next year is planned to be even bigger and brighter, says Nora, with many designers lining up already to take part.
Visit the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show website for more information.