Winners Of Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards

Diversity Is Highlighted By Winners Of Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award 2004.

The Supreme Award Winner for the Westfield Style Pasifika 2004 Fashion Award is an extraordinary and talented young designer, Charmaine Love (26) whose garment 'Te Korowai' was inspired by the traditional Maori cloak. The winning garment was from the Tagata Pasifika TV Urban Menswear category.

She also won the Clairol Herbal Essences Three Piece Collection category and was a finalist in three other sections - Traditionally Inspired, Evening Wear and Urban Streetwear.

"This is a great accolade to a big talent," said the Producer and Director of Westfield Style Pasifika, Stan Wolfgramm, "and the judges were unanimous in their choice."

The Overall Highly Commended Award went to one of the most glamorous garments in the show, the winner of the Hero Category and was designed by Jennifer Jones of Auckland. It is titled 'Hibiscus Heaven' and has been inspired by the Hero community and the hibiscus flower.

Sponsored by the Aids Foundation the Hero category celebrates the gay community in New Zealand.

Commenting on her entries, Charmaine Love said: "My collection of six garments that I entered this year draws inspiration from traditional and contemporary Maori design and art with a focus on weaving, neutral tones and traditional Maori colours."

The garment that won the Three Piece Collection category for Charmaine, not to be confused with the Supreme Award Winning Garment, sums this up - it is titled 'Toru' and combines traditional Maori weaving with punk rock.

Although only 26, Charmaine Love has had a very full life. She is married with 3 children. She has no formal fashion qualifications and is self taught in graphic and fashion design. Last year she entered a total of nine garments into Westfield Style Pasifika and six were selected as finalists. History has repeated itself this year but with the ultimate accolade.

With some of her family she is co-owner of Kia Kaha Clothing in Petone specializing in Maori designed sport and streetwear apparel and has recently designed the Cambo range for New Zealand's number one golfer Michael Campbell.

The winning designer of the Hero garment, Jennifer Jones, says she has found her niche in the creative and theatrical freedom of the Hero category.

Married with 2 children, Jenny has been in the clothing industry over 15 years, and in the last 5 years has focused on costume design which she loves.

CATEGORIES COMMENTS AND AWARDS

The 80 finalists for Westfield Style Pasifika 2004 were selected from almost 300 garments entered in the fashion award. There were entries from all over New Zealand as well as the Pacific Islands and Australia.

Westfield Style Pasifika was opened by the Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark on Friday night.

"In the 11 years since Style Pasifika first began it has become a uniquely New Zealand fashion, cultural and arts event. It draws together all the influences and elements which make up our community and presents them in an immensely entertaining and accessible way. It has done an enormous amount to promote young designers, artists, musicians and dancers and their work, which has grown in strength and confidence and originality each year," said the Prime Minister.

"When you go to a Style Pasifika show you know you couldn't be anywhere else in the world but New Zealand."

The fashion award is judged by a formidable panel, including some of New Zealand's leading fashion designers : Liz Findlay from Zambesi; Liz Mitchell; Frances Hooper from World; internationally acclaimed makeup and body artist Joanne Gair; Marilyn Kohlase from Creative New Zealand and Paul Blomfield from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

"Westfield is very proud of their sponsorship of Style Pasifika which encompasses all the talent and uniqueness that is New Zealand. The sponsorship supports an important community initiative and a project that celebrates fashion and talent and challenges our traditional norms of art form," say John Widdup, Director, Westfield NZ.

Categories in the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award are Three Piece Collection; Urban Pasifika; Menswear; Pasifika Evening Wear; Pasifika Bridal; Parent and Child; Traditionally Inspired; Asia Pasifika, Pasifika Hero and Body Art.

WINNERS OF CATEGORIES AND OVERALL

Pacific Forum Line Supreme Award - Charmaine Love / Upper Hutt / Wellington. Cash Award $2000 plus Gosling Chapman Accountants Business Mentoring Package.

Overall Highly Commended - Jennifer Jones / Massey / Auckland Cash Award $1000.

All category winners receive a $1000 Cash Award

Creative NZ Body Art - Mary Bourke / Northcote / Auckland

Te Wananga o Aotearoa Traditionally Inspired - Tallulah Filloy / Queensland / Australia

Asia 2000 Foundation Asia Pasifika - Kerry Little / Tauranga

Clairol Herbal Essences Three Piece Collection - Charmaine Love / Upper Hutt / Wellington

NZ Aids Foundation Pasifika Hero - Jennifer Jones / Massey / Auckland

Flava 96.One Urban - Paula Coulthard / Te Atatu Peninsula / Auckland

Tagata Pasifika Menswear - Charmaine Love / Upper Hutt / Wellington

Educol Pasifika Evening Wear - Jason Kuka / Tauranga

Pacific Business Trust Pasifika Bridal - Greta and Jo Steens / Whakatane

Spasifik Magazine Parent and Child - Nicola Vellenoweth / Mangere / Auckland

BACKGROUND ON WESTFIELD STYLE PASIFIKA

The Westfield Style Pasifika Spectacular features hundreds of entertainers and models in a potent mixture of fashion tinged with a taste of the South Pacific and combined with a showcase of music, dance and culture. It is the largest fashion award to be held every year.

This melting pot that is Westfield Style Pasifika makes it unique in the world and an extraordinary celebration of the talent and cultures that are New Zealand. Style Pasifika has been an entertainment icon for 11 years.

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