Wearable Heritage Event
Media Release 3 September 2003
Wearable Heritage Event
Convention Centre, Palmerston North
Saturday 25th October 2003
Yvonne M O'Connor, Event Manager for the inaugural Wearable Heritage Event, says 25th October 2003 is a new beginning for the profile of Wearable Heritage. This event in association with the biennial Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa , Weavers National Hui, showcasing garments designed utilising the skills of weaving, will be hosted in Palmerston North. This show will encompass garments and cultural performance. Participants are being invited to create a wearable garment, utilising the many aspects of weaving, to showcase their skills to invited guests and a paid audience.
The Wearable New Zealand Heritage Trust is delighted to formally announce the release of registration forms, calling for contributions from designers, artists, students and anyone with a passion for creating garments of distinction, encompassing aspects of weaving, to be profiled at the inaugural Wearable Heritage Event on Saturday 25th October 2003.
The Trust includes Waana Davis, Lovey Hodgkinson, Tracey Huxford and Edna Pahewa, all nationally recognised weavers.
The concept for this event was first discussed at Tokomaru Bay in 1999 at the biennial Weavers National Hui taking place there. The Palmerston North Weavers group successfully bid for the biennial Weavers Hui for this year. A group of volunteers is currently working in the community to ensure this event is a great success for the region. The Wearable Heritage Event will take place during this Hui.
With the support of sponsors and funders, it is planned for this inaugural Wearable Heritage Event to become a high profile event in the annual fashion calendar of New Zealand.
Sponsors and funders excited about the concept of showcasing Wearable Heritage in Palmerston North include international designer Peter Loughlin. Peter, born and raised in Taupo in a large family, was always interested in the design of garments. Peter sat at his grandmother's knee, watching this talented seamstress create beautifully worked garments with unusual designs. His grandmother sourced funds from a variety of tribal Trusts to support him through his three years at Wellington Polytechnic, where his strengths in designing evening wear were recognised. He went on to work in Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, London and Paris before his passion for creating exquisite garments resulted in the establishment of Arushi fashion house in Dubai.
Arushi are sponsors of the 'Supreme Award', offering a prize package including return air travel to Dubai from New Zealand, an eight-week internship, accommodation and internal travel in Dubai, which is situated on the coast of United Arab Emirates.
The New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, Rotorua, has sponsored the three main categories and Youth Designer Award, of this inaugural event. Each category winner receives a cash prize of $1,000, a trophy and a certificate for these prestigious 'Past', 'Present' and 'Future' awards.
The Youth Designer Award receives $500 in cash and a certificate.
UCOL have generously offered a scholarship for the 'Emerging Designer' award. This scholarship covers the first year's fees for the three-year full time Bachelor of Fashion Degree at Wanganui UCOL.
Further sponsorship is being sought for the Runner Up prize.
Funders to date include Palmerston North Community Arts Council, Toi Maori Aotearoa and Community Employment Group. Additional funding is being sought.
"This is an exciting event for Palmerston North, and we look forward to profiling a diverse range of garments to invited guests and the public in October this year."
Arushi sponsors the inaugural Wearable Maori Heritage Awards
Peter Loughlin (Ngati Tuwharetoa) has built a booming business by satisfying the fashion cravings of the wealthiest women in Dubai.
Born in Taupo to a large family, Peter was always interested in the designing of garments. His grandmother was his strongest advocate, finding various tribal Trust funds to support his training and career in the fashion world.
Peter worked in Wellington, Auckland, Sydney, London and Paris before moving to Dubai, where he now creates extravagant and exquisite gowns for his renowned fashion house "ARUSHI". His elaborate garments often incorporate beading and heavy embroidery and can cost up to US$100,000.00.
His sponsorship of the SUPREME AWARD in this, the Inaugural Wearable Maori Heritage Awards, is his way of giving back to Maori people. He looks forward to the exciting prospect of merging his Maori heritage with fashion design.