Take A Bow: Winners named for the FQ Fashion Awards 2026

24 July 2026

By Fashion Quarterly

Glasses were raised, the harbour glittered, and nobody wanted the night to end.

In an industry that rarely slows down, the FQ Fashion Awards has established itself as something of an annual pause, reminding guests of the value in stopping long enough to look both ways: back at what has been built, and forward at what still could be.

Against the illuminated backdrop of Tāmaki Makaurau’s waterfront, the Park Hyatt Auckland became, for one night, a room filled with possibility. Our panel of discerning judges arrived, chauffeured by Lexus, as guests — impeccably turned out in black tie — were welcomed by a display of the new Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic alongside Moët champagne, Schweppes x The Reid cocktails, Antipodes water and elegant canapés. Overheard throughout the room were conversations that stretched from old friendships to new collaborations, proof that this industry is at its strongest when it comes together.

The space was masterfully curated by the talented team at Flock Events. Intricate details delighted guests at every turn. A string quartet, Aspiring Musicians, welcomed attendees, filling the floating mezzanine with sweeping contemporary arrangements. Framed by cascading drapery, the arched photo studio became a backdrop for portraits. Across the room, a champagne tower beckoned beneath soft lighting, while the cocktail bar remained suitably cosy, lending the evening an effortless sense of anticipation.

As the sun fell behind the Waitematā Harbour, DJ Mac Mylo set the tone for the evening with the perfect celebratory soundtrack. Guests took their seats for an elevated dining experience paired with a considered edit of Cloudy Bay wines; competitors sat as colleagues, mentors were toasted by the people they’d shaped, and emerging talent shared a table with those who’d paved the way. Between courses, guests went into the draw to win a $10,000 bespoke Michael Hill Jeweller diamond tennis bracelet, with one lucky attendee walking away the winner on the night. Each place setting was finished with a Michael Hill Jeweller pendant, a small, personal touch that spoke to a simpler truth: fashion has always been about craftsmanship, connection, and the art of making people feel something.

Presented in partnership with Lexus, the awards recognised the individuals and businesses shaping the future of fashion in Aotearoa. Hosted by Laura McGoldrick, the evening moved through every category with finalists reflecting the real breadth of this creative community: designers, photographers, stylists, retailers, content creators, and the many specialists working tirelessly behind the scenes whose contributions so often determine whether something succeeds or fails.

The People’s Choice Award, the evening’s only publicly voted category, drew its highest number of nominations to date, won this year by Juliette Hogan, suggesting that the appetite for local fashion, and the loyalty to the people who make it, isn’t confined to those inside the room. It belongs just as much to the people who wear it, follow it, and advocate for it.

Two new awards entered the fold this year. The Honour Roll, awarded to Wynn Hamlyn, recognising those whose influence has quietly but profoundly shaped New Zealand fashion. And the Legacy Award, accepted by the Sharma family on behalf of the late Vere Sharma, celebrated a contribution built to outlast any single season or trend. Together, they acknowledge that any trade worth its future is built not only on what’s next, but on the people who spent years getting it there.

Once the final award had been announced and applause faded into clinking glasses, there was only one thing left to do: celebrate. Guests departed into the Auckland night with gifting totes under arm, each containing a carefully curated collection of partner offerings, including La Roche-Posay’s Mela B3 Double Dose, an intensive day and night treatment targeting sunspots and age marks. A few left with heels in hand, and all with a heightened sense of why Aotearoa fashion continues to, and always will, create above its weight.