Media release
30 September, 2013

Issued for Auckland Council by Pead PR

Experience the Future of Pacific Fashion At Cult Couture

Southside Arts Festival’s fashion extravaganza, Saturday 2 November

The very best Pacific-inspired fashion will cloak the catwalk on Saturday 2 November. Cult Couture is a runway show, fashion awards and one of the centerpieces of the annual Southside Arts Festival, a council initiative that celebrates Auckland’s Māori and Pasifika arts and culture, and runs between 17 October and 3 November.

Cult Couture showcases original pieces by designers from across Aotearoa, all vying for the lucrative $12,000 prize pool to support their burgeoning fashion careers. 

This year’s theme is Future Pacific, encouraging New Zealand’s fashion designers of tomorrow to consider the evolution of pacific style in both New Zealand and international fashion into the future.

Now in its 12th year, Cult Couture has attracted a record high with 180 entries, around 50 more than in 2012. Each garment is judged on the night by an elite panel of industry experts, comprising New Zealand fashion designer Adrian Hailwood, fashion museum curator Doris de Pont and fashion editor Dan Ahwa.

Music and performance continue to play an important role in the Cult Couture experience. The evening’s host is Māori performer Mika and there are performances by award-winning dance crew The Royal Family, Electric Wire Hustle’s Mara TK who is often referred to as the ‘South Pacific’s answer to Marvin Gaye’, Pacific Soul diva Iva Lamkum,Funkommunity’s Rachel Fraser, highly-regarded South Auckland DJ Manuel Bundy, contemporary Polynesian dance group UraTabu and fusion soul vocalist Noah Slee.

There are five Cult Couture categories with a winner per category and an overarching Supreme Award. The categories are:

•          Recycled Revolution: Entries must be made from cast-offs, rubbish, recyclables and pre-loved materials
•         Formally Yours: Ball gowns, cocktail frocks, black-and-white-tie clothing
•          Flight of Fantasy: There are no rules. The magical, surreal and bizarre take to the catwalk
•          On the Streets: Urban style and street fashion
•          Pacific by Nature: Using organic materials, this category is all about the Pacific’s affinity with the earth, wind and sea.

Last year’s Supreme Award winner Adrienne Whitewood wowed judges and audiences alike with her piece Taniko, a multi-coloured hand-woven dress inspired by Lady Gaga and Māori design. She has since launched a successful online business and featured at New Zealand Fashion Week. Earlier this year, Adrienne made national news when international singing superstar Lauryn Hill bought several of her designs.

Southside Arts Festival is one of many collaborative projects proudly delivered by Auckland Council. With more than 30 events including design, performance, literature, theatre, music, youth events, visual arts, film, dance and much more this festival is not to be missed.

Cult Couture Details
Where: Genesis Energy Theatre – Vodafone Events Centre 
When: Saturday, November 2, 2013, 8pm-10.30pm
Price: $25
Bookings: www.ticketdirect.co.nz / 0800 224 224
Web site: www.southside.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthsideArtsFestival
Twitter: @SthSideArtsFest

ENDS

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