Walking Backwards into the Future at NZFW
Tonight, New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria, presented by Giltrap Group, opened with Into the Archives, a show that set the tone for this new chapter by looking back at the designs that have defined Aotearoa’s fashion identity.
Staged at Shed 10, the evening was both a celebration and a reflection. As Creative Director Dan Ahwa explained, the curation was about “walking backwards into the future,” honouring what has come before while acknowledging how it continues to shape the way New Zealanders dress today.
Ahwa and his team presented a vivid snapshot of the past three decades of local style: from the nation’s deep-rooted love of black, to the gothic, moody aesthetic of the South; the rigorous tailoring once synonymous with Wellington’s public servants; and the formalities of ceremonial dress. There was irreverence too, a playful embrace of bold colour, print, and embellishment, contrasted with surf-inspired influences from coastal communities and the streetwear language of urban life. Craft traditions and cottage industry techniques were also honoured, underscoring how grassroots creativity has long underpinned New Zealand fashion.
“Tonight, pounding the pavement of Tāmaki Makaurau, the city lights up to honour a rich and evolving history of fashion design that is uniquely ours,” said Ahwa.
More than a showcase of garments, the show read as a tribute to the designers, artisans and stories that make up the DNA of New Zealand fashion. By weaving together heritage, contemporary expression and future possibility, it revealed how what we wear remains inseparable from our sense of self.
Our editor Greta attended the show and reflected on the moment: “It was a remarkable opening to Fashion Week, full of energy, promise and pride for our established and emerging designers. The atmosphere was charged, the night was clear, and the mood was both celebratory and reflective. There was a real sense of excitement in the air as the week of fashion officially began.”
Full show look list:
Look 1: Manahou Mackay wears a Trelise Cooper bolero, playsuit and train (2001), and Georgia Alice skirt (2018).
Look 2: A’dray Minh wears an Annie Bonza jacket (1990s), Karen Walker dress (2003) and Yu Mei bag (2025).
Look 3: Kaarina Parker wears an Ascot coat (1980s), Miss Crabb dress (2013), Deadly Ponies bag (2009) and Karen Walker black pearl necklace (2003).
Look 4: Ava McVeigh wears a Paris Georgia dress (2023), Maggie Marilyn jacket (2020) and Caitlin Snell bow (2025).
Look 5: Santana Abraham wears a Zambesi dress (2000), arm band and boots.
Look 6: Oliver wears a Kate Sylvester jacket and trousers (2008).
Look 7: Meiya Lemafa wears a Trelise Cooper jacket (2015) and skirt (2009) and Hills Hat hat.
Look 8: Bridget wears a Harman Grubisa dress (2017) and fluff (2015).
Look 9: Paige wears a Wynn Hamlyn coat (2016) and Harman Grubisa dress (2019).
Look 10: Yasmine Mohamud wears a NOM*d jacket (2009), T-shirt (2025) and skirts (2000).
Look 11: Izzy Codwell wears a Claudia Li coat dress (2017) and Deadly Ponies bag (2006).
Look 12: Anyesha wears Harman Grubisa suit and top (2019) and Jennifer Laracy brooch.
Look 13: Karen Inderbitzen-Waller wears a Karen Walker dress (2004) and sunglasses.
Look 14: Bobby wears Strangely Normal shirt (2000s) and suit (1990s).
Look 15: Genesia wears a Starving Artists Fund dress (2021) and Claudia Li earrings (2021).
Look 16: Ana wears a World dress (2000).
Look 17: Lorraine Downes wears a Paris Georgia dress (2019) and Glen Prentice earrings (2015).
Look 18: Nevaeh Mataira wears a Hailwood gown (2010) and Julia Palm clutch (2025).
Look 19: Mollie Gardiner wears a Carlson gown (2007) and Marilyn Sainty coat (1991).
Look 20: Monty Crane wears a Crane Brothers suit (1999) and Flying Nun T-shirt (2004).
Look 21: Fabienne Distelzwey wears a Caroline Church dress (2006) and Jennifer Laracy tiara.
Look 22: Catherine Berkey wears a Juliette Hogan knit (2025) and skirt (2014).
Look 23: Aileen Chen wears a Trelise Cooper gown and jacket (2014).
Look 24: Luca wears a Strangely Normal suit (1990s).
Look 25: Ria Runga wears a Kate Sylvester gown (2017).
Look 26: Sylvia wears a World Swarovski suit (2008).
Look 27: Giovanna wears a Shona Tawhiao dress (2021) and Obsolescence blazer (2024).
Look 28: Stella Hinton wears a Kate Sylvester dress (2000) and Yu Mei bag (2025).
Look 29: Kahu Skudder wears a Crochet Bae poraka (2024) and Shona Tawhiao skirt (2019).
Look 30: Elliot wears a Snowy Peak jumper (1990s) and Rory William Docherty trousers (2021).
Look 31: Ruby wears a Karen Walker blazer (2004), skirt (2019), necklace (2009) and sunglasses (2006), Crochet Bae bonnet (2025) and Deadly Ponies bag (2009).
Look 32: Matthew Lee wears a Swanndri jacket (2025), Salasai kilt (2010) and Hills Hat hat.
Look 33: Ali Rodinicu wears a Wynn Hamlyn coat (2019) and Deadly Ponies bag (2009).
Look 34: Amanda Bransgrove wears a Liz Mitchell jacket (2023), trousers (2025), scarf and belt, and Hills Hat cap.
Look 35: Sky wears a Marilyn Sainty skirt suit (1986), Shona Tawhiao pōtae (2025) and Jennifer Laracy earrings.
Look 36: Albert Cho wears a Zambesi suit (2009).
Look 37: Shanaya Crasto wears a Doris de Pont x John Pule ensemble (2004) and Jennifer Laracy x Sam Kelly Kaitiakitanga chain.
Look 38: Sione wears an Overstayer shirt and shorts (2003) and Shona Tawhiao pōtae.
Look 39: Levi Tan wears a Kowtow t-shirt (2023) and jeans (2025), Vita Cochran bag, Stevei Houkāmau neckpiece (2025), Karen Walker necklace (2009) and Shona Tawhiao earrings.
Look 40: Daniel wears a Rory William Docherty ensemble (2023).
Look 41: Lola Belle wears a Cybèle dress (2006), Ego trousers, Jennifer Laracy earrings, Deadly Ponies bag (2009) and Hills Hat hat.
Look 42: Venus wears a World suit (2005).
Look 43: Becki Moss wears a Taylor dress, jacket and vest (2018).
Look 44: Taika Waititi wears Zambesi.
Look 45: Adam Banoori wears a NOM*d plaid skirt (2021), cropped jacket (2003), jumper (2021) and scarf (2021), shoe-bag (1995), mesh tights (2022) and badges (2004).
Look 46: Shona Wilson wears Kate Sylvester cape (2007) and Zambesi leggings.
Look 47: Bella Douglas wears a Twenty-Seven Names ensemble (2019) and a Hills Hat straw hat.
Look 48: Michael McCabe wears a Nicolas Blanchet blazer (2001), vintage shirt and Wynn Hamlyn trousers (2021), Yu Mei bag (2020), Raewyn Walsh brooches (2020–2025).
Look 49: Alex Scott wears a Wynn Hamlyn suit and T-shirt (2023).
Look 50: Zara Sykes wears a Gold knit (2025), Sleeping Profit skirt (2022) and Karen Walker Crochet Bae pōtae (2024).
Look 51: Jasper Seven wears a Workshop blazer (1999), Bug Denim jeans (2022) and Crochet Bae crochet pōtae (2024).
Look 52: Polena Yi wears a Rhoda Nunn T-shirt (2025), Penny Sage skirt (2022) and coat (2018), Baobei necklace (2022) and Georgia Jay bag (2022).
Look 53: Rosie Herdman wears a Paris Georgia dress (2023), hat (2019) and wedges, and Vita Cochran picnic bag (2023).
Look 54: Milan Borich wears Zambesi top (2002) and suit (2005).
Look 55: Julijppps wears an Anti top (2025), Zambesi hoop skirt (1999) and coat (2011).
Look 56: Felix wears a Lonely Hearts T-shirt (2008), and Just Another Fisherman jeans.
Look 57: Esme wears a Stolen Girlfriends Club x Karl Maughan dress (2011) and Stolen Girlfriends Club leather jacket (2025).
Look 58: Vinnie Paunovic wears a Kiri Nathan denim blazer and lavalava (2023), and Doris de Pont x Richard Killeen shirt (2007).
Look 59: Genevieve AM wears a Miss Crabb dress (2008), with a Gloria veil (2022) and Harman Grubisa fluff (2015).
Look 60: Isla wears a Juliette Hogan dress (2008) and Gloria headband (2024).
Look 61: CJ wears a Checks Downtown jumper (2021), Wynn Hamlyn shirt (2023) and jeans.
Look 62: Jin Hohiesel wears a Sleeping Profit hoodie (2023), Lucky Dip shirt (2019), Salasai kilt (2010) and Anna Balasoglou necklace (2025).
Look 63: Jordan Daniels wears a Carlson gown (2017), Gloria gloves (2020) and Anti ‘Here Now’ and Hopufti hat (2025).
