Designers unite to boost talent

FASHION FORWARD: Rotorua fashion designers Kharl-William Wirepa (front), Adrienne Whitewood (left), and Mereana Ngatai, along with Maree Maclean, will be hosting the OHO fashion show next month. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Rotorua fashion designers will showcase their work while helping foster young people into the industry.

The inaugural OHO fashion show next month is a collaborative event showing the designs of Adrienne Whitewood, Kharl-William Wirepa, Mereana Ngatai and Hamilton-based Maree Maclean.

The invite-only show will be held at the VR Lakes Resort at Rotoiti and it is hoped the event will be held annually.

Ms Whitewood, Ms Maclean and Mr Wirepa were part of New Zealand Fashion Week last year and Ms Ngatai is a former CreationFest winner who previously received a scholarship with Waiariki Institute of Technology. All have been working in the industry for years.

"The fashion show is all about oho - to awaken, and it's about promoting the fashion industry in Rotorua and promoting the talent in the field," designer and co-organiser Mr Wirepa said.

"It will also be about the young people helping us, the models, photographers, ushers, hair and makeup people. We want to give youth the opportunity to get their foot in the door in the fashion industry."

Mr Wirepa said it would be a diverse show as each designer had their own unique style. Invited guests include politicians, local entertainers and fashion boutique owners.

"It is an invitation only event, unfortunately we can't open it to the public because we don't have the resources or venue to host such a big scale event but we hope to in the future.

"I am about glamour dresses, Adrienne draws on her Maori culture with a commercial element, Mereana is avante garde and Maree Maclean has beautiful shoes which she stocks in Copenhagen."

Local businesses have supported the show through sponsorship, Mr Wirepa said.

He estimated up to 100 people were helping with modelling and behind the scenes.

"We have a very beautiful venue with a beautiful view of Lake Rotoiti, we have a good relationship with the owners of the venue and they've been very helpful with the lighting and music. Ultimately we want to lift the profile of Rotorua as a fashion hub considering the amount of talented people here.

"We actually are a fashion hub, but we just don't know it."

The OHO fashion show will be held on March 31.