Retro Influence With Contemporary Design

September 7, 2007

Embargoed until 10.30pm Friday September 7, 2007

Retro Influence With Contemporary Design Wins Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award 2007

The tradition of the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards to deliver the unexpected, extraordinary and brilliant in fashion design - with a twist that celebrates our part of the world – has been achieved once again with this year’s winning design from the Schwarzkopf Osis Three Piece Collection category, Tiki Tour ’62, by Tauranga based designers Donna Dinsdale and Debra Laraman.

The TVNZ Supreme Award was presented at the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award and Entertainment Spectacular with an audience of over 4,000 at Auckland’s new Vector Arena tonight ( Friday September 7 2007)

A Retro design that uses the images of a 1960’s Tourism poster digitally printed onto silk – this dynamic 3 piece “contrasts the inappropriate tourism imagery of 1962 with contemporary styling.”

Debra Laraman is Group Leader of Creative Design at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Donna Dinsdale is also a tutor at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and both of them are committed to the success of their students. They have entered Westfield Style Pasifika in other years and been finalists in a number of sections.

They introduced the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award to their students some years ago and it has become part of the course. They have also created garments of their own to enter and despite being regular finalists they have never won before although several of their students have won and graduates still enter.

The Runner Up to the TVNZ Supreme Award is Kohai Grace, from Porirua in Wellington.

Utilising flax fibre and ancient techniques of traditional Maori cloak weaving, Grace’s garment is hand woven into a stunning modern example of “the little black dress”. Modern threads have been incorporated into the garment for a touch of contemporary “bling”. An experienced weaver with a passion for textile arts, Grace has exhibited her craft both nationally and internationally over a 20 year career.

“Nowhere else in the New Zealand fashion world would unknown and
aspiring fashion design stars have the opportunity to think as
energetically and freely as they can for Westfield Style Pasifika and we
are proud that has become our hallmark,” said Producer and champion of
the fashion award and entertainment spectacular for more than 12 years
Stan Wolfgramm

“It encourages our designers to be proud of where they come from and
uninhibited in their design statements.”

The growth of the Fashion Award is marked this year by moving to the
new Vector Arena in Auckland.

“It is a great pleasure for Westfield to be involved as sponsor of
this show and we are into our sixth year as a partner," said Deputy
Director of Westfield New Zealand Justin Lynch

“This event embraces many elements that embody the essence of Westfield’s’ community focus . . . it is a sponsorship we affectionately refer to as a ‘perfect fit’
and to be able to take this brilliant show nationwide with a television special
with TVNZ gives the show the credibility it commands”

Westfield New Zealand sponsors a scholarship to take designers to Air
New Zealand Fashion Week and this year a group of four Auckland based
sisters under the MENA label, Charmaine Love from Wellington and a
collection of the best garments from the Fashion Award will be
showcased in mid September.

The TVNZ Supreme Award winner receives $3000 and two tickets on Pacific Blue to the Pacific Islands. Westfield New Zealand Runner Up receives $2000 and 2 tickets on Pacific Blue to the Pacific Islands.

Each category winner receives $1000.

There is also the Westfield Business Scholarship which mentors designers then showcases them at New Zealand Fashion Week.

The ten categories in the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award are Pasifika Body Art; Kim Crawford Traditionally Inspired; Resene Asia Pasifika; NZ Aids Foundation Pasifika Hero; Schwarzkopf Osis Three Piece Collection; FLAVA Urban Street Wear; Menswear; Evening Wear; Bridal Wear and Te Puni Kokiri Parent and Child.

The judges for the Award are some of New Zealand’s leading fashion designers including Doris De Pont, Denise L’Estrange Corbet, Francis Hooper, Liz Mitchell, and Caroline Church with Pacific Advisor Mary Ama.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Traditionally Inspired
Winner: Kohai Grace, Porirua
Title: Night Lady (Whanine-o-te-po)

Utilising flax fibre and ancient techniques of traditional Maori cloak weaving, Grace’s garment is hand woven into a stunning modern example of “the little black dress”. Modern threads have been incorporated into the garment for a touch of contemporary “bling”. An experienced weaver with a passion for textile arts, Grace has exhibited her craft both nationally and internationally over a 20 year career.

Asia Pasifika
Winner: Juliet Newton, Palmerston North
Title: hana-putiputi

Based on the Japanese form of traditional apparel, Newton’s silk and tulle garment was inspired by the ancient art form of floral arranging – ika bana – using the Mt Cook “Aoraki” lily as her inspiration. A student at Wanganui UniCol, Newton is a first time entrant to the Pacifika Fashion Awards and has garnered the top award in this rapidly growing category.

3 Piece Collection:
Winner: Donna Dinsdale and Debra Laraman, Kati Kati
Title: “Tiki Tour ‘62”

1962 New Zealand Tourism Board posters were the basis for this dynamic three piece collection which juxtaposes retro imaging with contemporary styling. The garments are 100% silk which not only creates the draped and fluid style of the each garment, but also an aged appearance that complements the 60s imaging that has been digitally printed on the fabric.

Pasifika Hero
Winner: Sera Hathaway, Taupo
Title: “Look At Me”

Bold and innovative design is celebrated in the Hero section and Hathaway’s aptly titled “Look at Me” encapsulates that spirit. Hathaway was inspired by the Pacific gay community and the garment is designed to reflect “their high spirits and individuality”. The flamboyant and glittering style is characterised by the eye-catching wooden necklace emblazoned with the garment’s title.

Urban Pasifika
Winner: Ana Draca, Hamilton
Title: “Azia Parada”

At only 20 years of age, this Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Fashion Design Graduate has garnered the top award in this ever popular category. Based on architectural themes the bold and angular design represents Draca’s themes of the urban “strut” and “parade”. The golden metal buttons and contemporary red buckled belts, set of this striking outfit.

Pasifika Evening Wear
Winner: Madeleine Gilbert, Warkworth
Title: “Star Gazer”

Warkworth school teacher Madeleine Gilbert has taken the current fashion trend of Samoan pattern motifs (fa’a lau paogo) and incorporated it into a glamorous yet contemporary evening dress. The duchess satin, ribbon and beading creates the garments sumptuous feel, while the Samoan floral “decoration” is the gowns crowning glory.

Pasifika Menswear
Winner: Andrew Smith, Campbells Bay, Auckland
Title: “Melted”

This vibrant and dynamic ensemble is literally “melting” with elements of the clothing such as the ‘drooped’ pockets, designed to represent Smith’s metaphor for New Zealand’s melting pot of many cultures into one nation. A designer for leading children’s brand “Pumpkin Patch” and runner up in this category previously, 2007 is Smith’s year to be the men’s wear champion.

Pasifika Bridal
Winner: Visesio Louis Thomsen, Manurewa, Auckland
Title: Samoan Bride

The ever popular bridal category is a modern interpretation of the traditional Samoan bride. The entire outfit is made of “Ie Toga” or fine mat, the elegant puff shape is inspired by Auckland’s Sky Tower, and the frangipani flower is a key design feature. Thomsen has a BA in Fashion Technology, and the garment reflects his vision of the bold, empowered Samoan Bride on the biggest day of her life.

Parent and Child
Winner: Judy Bathgate, Avondale, Auckland
Title: “for Adam and his Grandad”

“Grandad loved his career as a farmer and Adam greatly appreciated the big city hip hop culture.” Bathgate’s beautiful description of this funky kids urban look captures street styling with an inspired touch of rural farm wear. A finalist in the category last year, the Avondale seamstress has secured this year’s category award.

ends

© Scoop Media