Two Maori designers have collected the main accolades at this year's Style Pasifika Fashion Awards.

Supreme award-winner Kiri Nathan said the garment was influenced by a photo of her grandfather in his Maori Battalion uniform and her respect for the talents and creativity of a much loved grandmother.

Created from organza, pure wool, feathers and cotton knit the designer used the colours of the Maori Battalion uniform to create a modern and elegant interpretation. The garment is called Te Aria (deep pool in the river) after Kiri's daughter.Two Maori designers have collected the main accolades at this year's Style Pasifika Fashion Awards.

Supreme award-winner Kiri Nathan said the garment was influenced by a photo of her grandfather in his Maori Battalion uniform and her respect for the talents and creativity of a much loved grandmother.

Created from organza, pure wool, feathers and cotton knit the designer used the colours of the Maori Battalion uniform to create a modern and elegant interpretation. The garment is called Te Aria (deep pool in the river) after Kiri's daughter.The Runnerup to the TVNZ Supreme Award was Wayne Skipworth, from Paki Paki on the outskirts of Hastings.

His intricate garment carved in blue and white leather including matching boots won the FLAVA Urban Streetwear category. His garment is called Hinemoana (Maiden of the Sea). The calm tranquil waters are represented by the colour white, the kowhaiwhai (Maori carving) are the many different ocean currents that challenge us to go fishing for knowledge and understanding.

The judges' comments on the winning garments emphasised the exceptional standard and the passion, innovation and craft that shone through.

"It is rare today so see fashion made with such care love and integrity," said one of the judges Francis Hooper from WORLD.

TVNZ Supreme Winner Kiri Nathan, from Mt Wellington in Auckland, also won the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Traditionally Inspired category for her garment. A finalist of Westfield Style Pasifika in three previous years - winning a category and two highly commended - Kiri was also nominated as a finalist in Asia Pasifika and HERO this year.

Explaining what drives her Kiri said: "My grandmother was a huge inspiration to everyone in our family she was a great seamstress and I used to watch and learn from her as she created wonder on her old Singer sewing machine."

"The family adores her and every Friday we go to her house and it was during one of those visits I saw the photo of her and my grandfather in his uniform."

Kiri's grandmother, who is now 85, has five children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Westfield Style Pasifika Director and Producer Stan Wolfgramm is the mastermind behind the growth of the Fashion Award and the move to the Vector Arena. He said this year has been a particular coming of age for Style Pasifika.

"We are seriously looking at some offshore opportunities as the fashion is so innovative and of an international quality and deserves a global audience.

"I believe the whole show is unique in the world with the very particularly indigenous influence."

The Awards were presented in front of an audience of thousands, by the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark at the Vector Arena in Auckland on Friday September 5.

Categories

The ten categories in the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award are MAC Pasifika Body Art; Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Traditionally Inspired; Resene Asia Pasifika; NZ Aids Foundation Pasifika Hero; Schwarzkopf Three Piece Collection; FLAVA Urban Street Wear; Barkers Menswear; Kohler Evening Wear; Pacific Blue Bridal Wear and Te Puni Kokiri Parent and Child.

Judges

Liz Mitchell, Francis Hooper WORLD, Tony Milich Sabatini, Des Rusk of Barkers and Pacific Advisor Mary Ama.

Awards

The TVNZ Supreme Award winner receives $3000 and two tickets on Pacific Blue to the Pacific Islands. Westfield New Zealand Runner Up receives $2000. Each category winner receives $1000.

Traditionally Inspired

Winner: "Te Aria"
Kiri Nathan, Mt Wellington, Auckland

The twin influences of her grandfather in a photo in his Maori Battalion uniform, plus her absolute respect for the talents and creativity of a much loved grandmother from were strong forces in the creation of her award winning garment.

Created from organza, pure wool, feathers and cotton knit the designer interprets the colours of the Maori Battalion uniform creating a modern and elegant interpretation.

The garment is called Te Aria (deep pool in the river) after Kiri's daughter.

Runner up: Shona Tawhaio, Avondale, Auckland
Auckland weaver Shona Tawhaio, has sculpted a flax gown with a contemporary twist inspired by the ocean. Hundreds of pieces of flax collected locally have been hand stripped, dyed and assembled into a stunning garment, set off by a stunning "flax" red flower.

Asia Pasifika

Winner: "Te Puke Meets Thai Tribe"
Hazel Kirkham, Tauranga
A Bay of Plenty Polytech student, Kirkham was inspired by an image of a Thailand Hill Tribesman to create a wool/beaded hooded coat, over a dress representing New Zealand's "kiwi fruit" culture.

Runner up: "Pohutukawa"
Mollie Barr & Tara Cunnifee, Mt Eden, Auckland
Both Barr and Cunnifee are final year students at Whitecliffe College of Arts and drew inspiration for their garment from the Pohutakawa tree. The Japanese art of origami is incorporated to represent the iconic tree's flower.

3 Piece Collection

Winner: "Birds of a Feather"
Annah Stretton, Morrinsville
Well known New Zealand Designer Annah Stretton, has taken top honours in the 3 piece collection with her dynamic collection "Birds of a Feather": kiwi birds infused with the vibrancy of pasifika colour. Each garment is made of hand dyed feathers sewn together and topped with feathered hats.

Runner Up: "Pearl Harbour 1941"
Corinne Te Whaata, Howick, Auckland
Te Whaata has looked to the defence of Pearl Harbour in 1941 in military style hats and jackets, combined with pasifika colour and flair.

Hero

Winner: "Venus - Live and in the Flesh"
James Leuii, Westmere, Auckland
Samoan designer, stylist and makeup artist has taken the feel of the Victorian missionary "white dress" and exaggerated it to suit the style of this flamboyant and fun loving category.

Runner Up: "My Durex Diva"
Candy Elsmore, Mt Albert, Auckland
This outrageous colourful garment uses condoms in hot tropical colours emblazoned on a full length gown of satin covered in crystals and beads.

Urban Streetwear

Winner: Wayne Skipworth, Hastings
Hastings wood carver Skipworth, has used his carving experience to create a sculpted feel in leather with a hip urban ensemble, including hoodie and carved boots.

Runner Up: "Daywater"
Maxine Woodridge & Kristin Leitch, Glen Innes, Auckland
Inspired by rock/punk music Woodridge and Leitch's streetwise outfit also captures costuming themes evident in super-natural and fantasy movies.

Menswear

Winner: "New Him"
Melany Yin, Avondale Auckland
23 year old Melany used geometry a the inspiration for this stylish men's ensemble including metallic styled coat and topped off with revamp of the traditional "boater"

Runner Up: "I love NZ"
Michelle Smith, Wanganui
Smith has used the iconic "I Love NZ" logo and incorporated into a linen suit with asymmetrical shaping, giving an urban feel to the menswear section.

Bridal

Winner: Rebecca Cassin, Nelson
A fashion student from Nelson, Cassin has used a repetitive tapa cloth motif as basis for this satin bridal gown, giving the garment a structured 3D shape.

Runner Up: "Family Ties"
Sarah Mules, Epsom, Auckland
Water colours used in traditional Japanese silk paintings inspired Mules, in an elegant gown that gives the impression of a waterfall pouring over the body.

Eveningwear

Winner: "Pacific Princess
Stephanie Kohlhase & Michael Monaghan, Westmere, Auckland
Kohlhase worked with he father Michael, (a sheet metal shop owner) who created the original copper corset and bracelets worn with a beautiful gown of pure silk.

Runner Up: "Manaia"
Lisa Hansen, Christchurch
This elegant evening gown is based on a mythical bird-like figure, and has components representing the sky, earth and ocean incorporated into a show-stopping cocktail dress.

Parent and Child

Winner: Will & Tammy Isaaka, Manukau, Auckland

This wonderful ensemble is a fusion of two cultures. The adult representing Maori and the child, The Cook Islands.

Runner Up: Taku Wahine Purotu, Taku Tane purotu
Heather Skipworth, Hastings

Velvet is the predominate fabric in this stunning outfit for mother and son.

Style Pasifika

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