Ex All Black and club co-owner Ali Williams walked the catwalk at the launch of the new Auckland FC kit.
Video / NZ Herald
Former All Black and Auckland FC co-owner Ali Williams has strutted the runway for an event at New Zealand Fashion Week.
The glamorous event, which was held at Auckland Viaduct’s Soul Bar on Thursday evening, was for the launch of the club’s new kit for the 2025/26 season.
Auckland FCplayers featured on the catwalk, as well as ex-All Black Carlos Spencer, former Black Cap Jimmy Neesham and ex-Silver Fern Courtney Tairi.
Williams, who is co-owner of the club with his billionaire wife Anna Mowbray, made a surprise appearance on the catwalk – donning AFC’s new away shirt, which features a gold collar and sleeve cuff.
Former All Black Ali Williams dons Auckland FC's new 2025/26 season away kit as part of New Zealand Fashion Week. Photo / Alyse Wright
Introducing the show, Mowbray said from the start Auckland FC was “here to disrupt”.
“We want to bring a different energy to the game.
“What you see tonight will be a fusion of fashion and football with sports stars of all codes.”
Mowbray thanked ANZ for returning as sponsor. For the upcoming season, ANZ has replaced Anchor as the primary front-of-shirt sponsor, with the dairy brand now displayed on the back. Both commercial partners have extended their partnership until 2028.
She said the new kit should inspire passion, pride and the drive to win.
Anna Mowbray making a speech at the Auckland FC runway show as part of New Zealand Fashion Week. Photo / Alyse Wright
She hinted some of the models strutting their stuff in front of 250 people were first-timers and a bit nervous.
Among them were Auckland FC players Liam Gillion and Joe Knowles.
“This was a little unusual for me to say the least,” Gillion said.
“But I enjoyed it and I was proud to wear the kit. It was a great afternoon and fantastic to get involved in something I wouldn’t usually be exposed to.”
After issues with sizing in the first season, partly because of the unexpected demand, the home kit for this campaign has been produced in two different fits – player replica and player elite.
The player elite is the exact kit worn on the field by players, while the player replica is a more generous sizing.
