It's Ms Whitewood's third time at New Zealand Fashion Week, but this year there's a bit more hype surrounding her. She will be followed by Maori Television's Native Affairs while Australasian website Concrete Playground yesterday named Ms Whitewood the "number one designer to watch this year" placing her above established designers such as Andrea Moore, Trelise Cooper and Zambesi.
"It's nerve-wracking because it's a lot to live up to," she said.
It's a hectic time for the 25-year-old. As well as putting the finishing touches to her designs and preparing promotional materials for the worldwide media attending, she plans to relaunch her website next week. She's also preparing to open her own store in Rotorua next month. Currently her designs take up one corner at The Living Room Collective on Eruera St. She is also fitting in study at Waiariki Institute of Technology.
Meanwhile, Ms Rickard said she and Ms Mulcahy were "ready to rock and roll" after a busy few months.
She is delighted with the pair's capes, raincoats and umbrellas, which are printed with microscopic images of the cellular walls of harakeke (flax). "It's going to be quite amazing to see people's reactions," she said. "The story behind the images is what people will be gobsmacked by."
Taupo's Mitchell Vincentwill also be part of the Miromoda show.
