Fashion Week opens: What is New Zealand's style?

It was a game of high risk and high reward on the opening night of New Zealand Fashion Week.

The evening could have been a disaster: a catwalk under the open sky during one of Auckland’s coldest and wettest months. Instead, it was clear and starry. Yes, it was cold but not bitterly so as a mass of 63 models - Oscar-winner and director Taika Waititi was one of them - made their way down the catwalk in a show of knits and shells and flax and silks and shimmery fabrics and all other textures. It was an archival celebration of New Zealand fashion with some pieces dating back decades.

Waititi extravagantly sashayed down the catwalk in a flowing pink robe and shirt from Zambesi's archive. One model wore a 2009 collection jacket, 2025 t-shirt and a 2009 from famed Dunedin label NOM*d. Trelise Cooper, World, and Paris Georgia were just some of the dozens of brands represented.

The industry and the event can only hope that the night was an omen of better days ahead. Both have struggled to dig themselves out from the impact of Covid, with New Zealand Fashion Week being on again and off again since 2020, and changed owners during that time. Fashion week in 2025 has a new look, with the majority of shows open to the public through ticket sales. There is a fashion film night, panel discussions, and a giant clothing swap.

The show gave an indication of the breadth of different styles and creative ideas that have created an industry worth more than $7 billion to the national economy last year. We asked some of those who attended the opening night of fashion week what they thought New Zealand style is:

Wearing: Levis

“I feel like New Zealanders are not afraid to express their style. A lot of us down here don’t follow the trends.”

Wearing: Harris Tapper skirt, Taylor coat, Harman Grubisa top.

“I think New Zealand is an incubator of innovation...I think we are at the forefront of sustainability, innovative technology.

“We stay away from traditional ways of doing things.”

Wearing: Maggie Marilyn and Paris Georgia

“New Zealand style is a little understated and low key, so I love when people go extra. I feel like what you see at fashion week is not what you see every day.”

“We are definitely in our own lane - current edge, minimal but elevated. I think textures are big in Auckland in Māori fashion.”

Wearing: a corset from Dion Lee

“This is actually such a hard question. It is so personal and unique to everyone’s individuality."

Wearing: Studio 10Ave

“New Zealand style is evolving.”