New Zealand Fashion Week returns this year to celebrate the best of New Zealand’s fashion industry as part of a reimagined event taking place at the Viaduct Events Centre from Tuesday, 29 August until Saturday, 2 September.
With a new owner and under new leadership, New Zealand Fashion Week will be bigger and better than ever before. A redesigned and reimagined event will give fashion lovers the opportunity to experience the event alongside industry and designer guests – traditionally a trade-only show the new format will be a more consumer-friendly one – allowing the general public the chance to attend more shows than ever before.
Yasmin Farry, general manager of New Zealand Fashion Week says, “We’ve had a beautiful opportunity to regroup, to work collaboratively with the industry to redesign and reimagine this iconic event. What’s even more exciting is the early commitment and support from some of New Zealand’s emerging and top designers to participate in this year’s event.
It’s been three long years since our designers, models, make-up artists, stylists and photographers have had the opportunity to showcase their talents to the world, so we are very excited that New Zealand Fashion Week is back on the agenda for 2023.”
Fashion icon, Kate Sylvester, who has already committed to participating in New Zealand Fashion Week, this year is supporting the new format.
Says Sylvester, “We are very excited to celebrate our 30-year milestone as part of New Zealand Fashion Week and be part of the relaunch of such an important event for our industry. Fashion Week has played a significant role in our brand history and brought to life some of our most iconic runway shows.”
Central to the mission of New Zealand Fashion Week is the collaboration between the wider industry and mana whenua and this year an association has been cemented with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
“We are tremendously excited to be building a sustainable and long-term partnership with mana whenua, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. The development of a partnership built on reciprocity, presents an opportunity for New Zealand Fashion Week to evolve our cultural identity, to build our cultural competency and ensure the indigenous Māori voice is amplified throughout New Zealand Fashion Week,” says Farry.
Building on the progress made in previous years, along with key industry leaders and designers, New Zealand Fashion Week has committed to evolving the current event design over the next five years and supporting the evolving circular fashion ecosystem in Aotearoa.
As part of its new strategic direction, this year’s event will embrace and seek excellence in innovation; create a respectful collaboration with mana whenua to honour Te Tiriti, te ao Māori and tikanga Māori; place a continued focus on inclusivity to genuinely champion and celebrate the broad and inclusive demographic within the industry and across Aotearoa. In addition, it aims to encourage an increased focus on digital technologies and connectivity.
New Zealand Fashion Week runs from Tuesday, 29 August until Saturday, 2 September 2023 and will be hosted at the Viaduct Events Centre.