Showcasing the works of nine Polynesian designers, the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS) will transform St George Street, Papatoetoe, into a runway on 28 May. Proudly celebrating Pacific talent since 2016, this year’s PFFS runway theme, ‘Woven’, was chosen by leading Aotearoa stylist and PFFS creative director Sammy Salsa.
Referencing the weaving of fabrics together, as Sammy Salsa explains, “on a deeper level I see it [Woven] as interlacing culture into modern-day society and how Pacific people have merged themselves into a western world with their fashion aesthetic and culture.”
“I’m excited to see Pacific designers shift from being more than just a “seamstress” and be welcomed to the forefront of our fashion industry as serious designers. PFFS is an important pathway for them to develop as creative individuals and build on their brand. It’s also my responsibility as someone from the industry to help nurture, inspire and break down barriers so that everyone gets a seat at the table”, says Salsa.
Read on to meet the talented designers participating in PFFS, some of them debuting their first-ever collections:
John Tanuvasa, Ohn Clothing
John Tanuvasa has a vision: to bring out the wearer’s inner confidence through non-traditional, genderless streetwear. From delightfully vivid colour choices to silky, fluid silhouettes, Tanuvasa’s creations are refreshingly different, blurring the lines between casual and formal wear. We’re certainly awaiting his PFFS runway looks with great anticipation.
Alexandra Simpson
Debuting her namesake label at PFFS, young designer Alexandra Simpson is inspired by mindful living, thoughtful luxury, and Māori traditions. Using natural fibres and reused materials in her collections to honour whenua (land) and whānau (community), for Simpson, her fashion empowers its wearers on their journeys, just as Simpson herself has connected with her ancestry and come into her own.
Massey Williams, Disciple of Discipline
As the designer who caught our eye on the first season of Project Runway New Zealand in 2018, Williams infuses heavy-duty fabrics with flowing organza, silk and cotton to bring opposing forces together. And if his runway collection is anything like the clothing showcased on his Instagram page, the result is set to be both beautiful and highly wearable.
Tanirose Tausie
Inspired by change, the young designer has recently realigned her mindset and energy, viewing her participation in PFFS as a re-emergence of her creativity. Her psychedelic collection explores how the altered mind reacts to looks, feels, and sounds, promising a visual and textural feast for the senses. For a glimpse of what’s to come, check out @tanirose.tausie via Instagram.
Find out everything you need to know about PFFS and get your runway tickets at fushionfashion.co.nz.
Support Aotearoa talent: read our round-up of independent designers making waves in the fashion world.
