Winners announced
The winners of the inaugural Wearable Maori Heritage Awards held on Saturday 25 October 2003
25 October 2003 was a new beginning for the profile of Wearable Maori Heritage.
In association with the biennial Te Roopu Raranga Whatu O Aotearoa , Weavers National Hui, an event showcasing more than 60 garments designed utilizing the skills of weaving and Pacific-designed elements took to the stage in Palmerston North.
The event attracted more than 450 people nation-wide and included a spectacular cultural performance from the Whitireia Polytechnic Performing Arts, who have just returned from Italy.
Categories for the show included Past, Present and Future designed garments and body adornment.
Arushi Supreme Award
Leiana Rei Perawiti of Paekakariki, won the Arushi Supreme Award for her collection of sensuous paua-print swimwear, fashioned onto stretch fabric and chiffon.
Highly Commended - Radfords Furniture
Donna Campbell of Rotorua won this section for her stunning black and gold harakeke hat, split back and front skirt and top creation, incorporating traditional weaving patterns.
Emerging Designer - Universal College Of Learning
This section was a collective effort from students of the Hamilton campus of Te Wanaanga O Aotearoa. An intricate red and natural harakeke creation woven into a cut-out floral design in a hat, bra and skirt.
Youth Designer - Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Dax Te Ngou Ngou of Porirua, for her strapless stretch burgundy dress with gold writing, muka and raffia trim.
Past - NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute
Eddie Maxwell of Whakatane, for his presentation of two traditional maro cloaks using fine dyed and natural muka fibres.
Present - Auahi Kore/Smoke Free
Debbie Nesbit of Napier, for her natural muka and harakeke paper halter top and skirt creation.
Future - Maori Treasures
Donna Walford of Wellington, for her futuristic vision fashioned from green garden hose using the windmill knot weaving technique in a tunic and boots design
The judges were delighted to be a part of these very unique awards.
Erenora Puketapu-Hetet
Internationally-acclaimed and highly-regarded in the world of both traditional and contemporary Maori weaving, Erenora has worked in national and international museums.
Moana Nepia
Currently a lecturer at Elam School of Art, Auckland, Moana was educated at PNBHS. Moana has lived in Paris, and has designed and made beautiful feather cloaks and exhibited them in Paris and LOndon. He has also fast become one of New Zealand's leading dance choreographers.
Jennifer Souness
Jennifer worked as a top fashion model and lived in Milan for 16 years. She was the driving force behind the first 1999 Australian Fashion Week and managed the first NZ London Fashion Show. Souness has been involved with fashion shows all over the world wearing the garments of Gucci, Ferdi, Versace and Prada. She now lives in Wellington and is a production manager.
On behalf of the Wearable Maori Heritage Trust Board I would like to thank the many people who supported and participated in this exciting event for Maori, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Tracey Huxford
Trustee member
Trust members are as follows: Waana Davis, Lovey Hodgkinson, Tracey Huxford and Edna Pahewa.
For information regarding the Awards, please contact us by email: wearable.maori.heritage@paradise.net.nz