Honouring ‘creativity, culture, and talent’ at Pacific Fusion Fashion Show 2024

Fashionistas in Tāmaki Makaurau were treated to an evening filled with vibrant colour, gorgeous textiles, and bodacious Pacific beauty in the final standalone runway of the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS).

A partnership deal announcement earlier this year confirmed PFFS will become a permanent segment at New Zealand Fashion Week from 2025.

PFFS Founder and Director Nora Swann said the evening was a proud celebration of “creativity, culture, and incredible talent”.

“Through this year’s theme ‘Navigator’ we’ll share the story of how our community upholds our creative and cultural values, and bring them into the future whilst navigating our own identities in mainstream as fashion designers.”

PFFS 2024 featured 19 fashion designers with links to American Sāmoa, Tonga, Sāmoa, Australia, Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Niue, the Philippines and Aotearoa.

The night opened with an electric performance by Sāmoan vocal powerhouse Marina Davis, who was a vision in tapa.

She lit up Te Komititanga - Downtown Ferry Terminal with a soulful medley that included her hit “La’u Sāmoa”.

Host Diamond Langi welcomed the crowd, from business entrepreneurs and artist collectives to the patient husbands of runway models.

The show’s theme took inspiration from the words of the late i-Kiribati scholar, poet, and activist Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa: “We sweat and cry salt water, so we know that the ocean is really in our blood.”

“It really has been a lot of sweating and crying salt water to bring this year’s show to life. So with every moment you’ll experience tonight know that it was born out of passion and determination,” Swann said during the show.

“But when you have a vision and a team that believes in it, you’ll find ways to make magic happen. Whether it’s partnering, borrowing, IOUs, or reimagining what’s possible.”

Broadcaster Indira Stewart was among the stylish attendees adorned with pieces by Fijian makers Samson Lee and Fou Designs.

Stewart said she was looking forward to “being surprised” by Pacific creativity and her niece who strutted the catwalk.

“Every year we keep seeing more and more fashion designers and creators here in Aotearoa and around the Pacific and we love these events because they showcase all of that.

“And we love our gear, we love the creativity in what we're wearing, so proud to wear it.”

The runway wrapped around the ferry terminal where a crowd of about 300 eagerly awaited the fresh, new pieces designers had to showcase.

Former 531pi radio host JaeD Victor said up and coming creatives are game changers for the fashion industry.

“As we get older we still gotta be youthful, look youthful, and dress youthful. These fashion designers now are really setting the stage (to be) some really top fashion icons in the future.”

Former 531pi radio host JaeD Victor said up and coming creatives are game changers for the fashion industry. Photo/PMN News/Atutahi Potaka-Dewes.

Riding in Style

A double decker bus offered VVIPs a lift to the venue, a first time experience in the show’s near decade-long history.

It left from the Manukau Bus Terminal and stopped in Ōtāhuhu and Penrose before taking a scenic drive through New Market then Mission Bay.

PFFS team member Trish said the free ride and pre-show snacks were well received by the passengers.

“This is the first time that we’ve actually put on a free bus and as a lot of people have said it’s convenient so they don’t have to worry about parking in the city. They come on board, have fun, and meet other people before the show.”

The final standalone Pacific Fusion Fashion Show concluded on an uplifting note, highlighting the vibrant Pacific creativity that will continue to flourish as the event becomes part of NZ Fashion Week in 2025.

Read more behind-the-scenes with the models here - ‘It’s about aura’: Behind the seams at PFFS 2024.

To view the PFFS live stream, click here.