Genevieve Mora in a Zambesi dress. Photo / Doug Sherring
Genevieve Mora in a Zambesi dress. Photo / Doug Sherring
Zambesi designer Liz Findlay used something old, something borrowed and something green for her piece inspired by the Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand's national sport doesn't share much common ground with haute couture, but Findlay said she wanted to capture the enduring spirit and strength of the All Blacks withher garment, called Kakariki.
Made from nylon net lace with viscose embroidery, the dress was cut and sewn by hand, then moulded and draped around model Genevieve Mora.
Rubber gumboots, used in many Zambesi campaigns over the years, were a nod to New Zealand's wild landscape.
"I drew from the emotions and imagery that the New Zealand landscape conjures up - the beauty, the isolation, the strength and the mystery. I remembered that I had a remnant of fabric that we had used about seven years ago in a summer collection which I thought would be just perfect," she said.
Findlay's piece will be showcased at the Westfield Style Pasifika show at Auckland's Vector Arena on Tuesday night, alongside Kiwi favourites Lucie Boshier and Kingan Jones as well as top designers from each Rugby World Cup country.
