Five days. Dozens of shows. More outfit changes than we care to count. NZFW Kāhuria 2026 delivered one of the strongest weeks in recent memory – from Caitlin Crisp’s ballet-charged joy to Zambesi at sunrise over the harbour, Beach Brains bringing the room to its feet at Shed 10, and Kāhui Collective’s deeply moving celebration of Indigenous design.
We’re not ones for gatekeeping, so here’s exactly what the FQ team wore, show by show – full credits included…
Day one:
Opening night at NZFW Kāhuria 2026 was handed over to creative director Dan Ahwa for The Art of Style — a love letter to personal dressing that moved from opera to punk-rock and asked guests to check their heels at the door. Tudor-ruffled collars, corsets and vintage accessories set the tone for a week that promised substance over spectacle.
Sarah (above left) wears: Get the look: Harris Tapper ‘Balmoral’ parka. Harris Tapper ‘Iris’ silk shirt. Harris Tapper ‘Irving’ silk trousers. Deadly Ponies ‘Cinch’ pump in Java Calf Hair. Deadly Ponies ‘Bandit Baguette’ in Dark Cherry Gloss. Victoria Beckham sunglasses, from Sunglass Style
Georgia (above right) wears: Rory William Docherty dress from the ‘Iris’ collection. Tom Ford ‘Bronson’ sunglasses, from Sunglass Style.
Day two:
Presented in collaboration with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Caitlin Crisp’s 40-look collection was the happiest show of the week. Feathers, bows, frills and peplum silhouettes came with a Hamptons-adjacent lightness, punctuated by a choreographed lift sequence on the runway that brought the house down.
Natalia wears: Commonplace Essentials ‘Lady Gingham’ trench, Bronwyn ‘Daria’ wedge, and Deadly Ponies Mini Sling bag. Photography: Katie Begbie.
Sophie wears: Paris Georgia coat (from the archive).
Sarah (left) wears: Maggie Marilyn ‘Freds’ skirt, Elle & Riley sweater, Chanel heels, and Deadly Ponies ‘Bandit’ baguette. Georgia (right) wears: Paris Georgia dress (from the archive), Tough Auto ‘Arch’ jacket, La Tribe x Superette boots. Victoria Beckham sunglasses, from Sunglass Style.
Georgia (left) wears: Paris Georgia archive top, Rebe ‘Convertible Cargo’ trouser and ‘Yvie’ wedge, Georgia Jay ‘Flo’ bag.
twenty-seven names marked their 20th anniversary with a collection steeped in nostalgic campus codes — collegiate prep filtered through the brand’s signature floral prints, oversized collars and graphic tees. The soundtrack drew as much applause as the clothes, and the front row left feeling like they’d just graduated from somewhere very stylish.
Georgia wears: twenty-seven names ‘Sweet Sorrow’ blouse, Paris Georgia archive pants, Deadly Ponies ‘Butterfield’ loafer, Coach ‘Tabby’ bag, Victoria Beckham sunglasses, from Sunglass Style.
Twenty years on from her NZFW debut, Juliette Hogan delivered a spring celebration that was painterly, precise and quietly emotional. Jewel tones and exaggerated fringe gave way to a bridal finale — crimped hair, minimal makeup — that felt more like a tribute to craft than a commercial gesture.
Sarah wears: Juliette Hogan ‘Cecilia’ dress, ‘Vesper’ jacket.
Photography: Hope Patterson.
Georgia wears: Maggie Marilyn ‘Pillar of Strength’ dress, Friends with Frank ‘The Josephine’ coat, Rebe ‘Yvie’ wedge, Georgia Jay ‘Flo’ bag, Jasmin Sparrow ‘Mermaid’ earrings.
The evening brought a first look at nom*d’s Collection 81: Superstars, shown alongside a curated edit of international labels from Plume Store NZ. The front row dressed accordingly — the style in the audience gave the runway a run for its money.
Sophie wears: Paris Georgia archive dress.
Photography: Katie Begie.
Georgia wears: Paris Georgia archive fur coat and mermaid skirt, Dominique Healy ‘Maeve’ shirt.
Natalia wears: Ciao Lucia Neroni dress (archive style), Bronwyn Lucia heels. Deadly Ponies Mini Sling bag.
Day three:
The Studio was quintessentially New Zealand: eclectic, inclusive and a little bit chaotic in the best way. Styled by Dan Ahwa, the group show spotlighted emerging and independent designers — standouts included Sylvester’s hand-welded crowns, Fringes Garments’ debut coat studded with thousands of buttons, and Rhoda Nunn’s 60s-mod-chic tailoring. Bleached brows, real bodies and silver chainmail accessories throughout.
Sophie wears: Olivia Cashmore ‘Gordie’ coat, Kowtow ‘Daily’ shirt, Henne ‘Gisella’ jean, Wynn Hamlyn pouch.
Georgia (left) wears: Paris Georgia archive top, Rebe ‘Convertible Cargo’ trouser and ‘Yvie’ wedge, Georgia Jay ‘Flo’ bag.
Claudia Li brought her first made-to-order collection to The Northern Club in a salon-style presentation she called a love letter to New York. Sculptural silhouettes in silk duchess satin, taffeta and jacquard — ivory and black cut through with lavender, cherry blossom pink and antique gold — made for a show that felt like couture filtered through a downtown sensibility.
Sarah (left) wears: Harris Tapper ‘Loin’ top, ‘Capri’ trouser. Victoria Beckham sunglasses, from Sunglass Style. Natalia (right) wears: Sylvester beret, Sylvester ‘Corsage’ jacket, Oosterom ‘Tassel’ skirt.
Karen Walker took over three rooms of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki for The Grand Tour — a theatrical celebration of 18th-century dandyism that blended archival Karen Walker pieces with adidas Originals and Levi’s, and featured Benee, Thomasin McKenzie and Lorraine Downes among the models. Maps, binoculars, Victorian ruffles and bucket hats: it was Night at the Museum by way of the grand European tour.
Sarah wears:Maggie Marilyn ‘High Hopes’ blazer dress, Deadly Ponies heels.
Natalia wears:Ruby ‘Annie’ trench coat, St. Agni ‘Pleat Loop’ pants, adidas ‘Japan Lux’ shoes
Day four:
Makaira Lee’s debut collection for By Kai was one of the emotional highlights of the week. Built around multifunctional pieces that worked equally well from front and back, the collection moved from bikinis to cargo pants with confident draping and utilitarian tailoring, and drew on contemporary takes on traditional Fijian accessories. When Lee took her final bow with her mother, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Sarah wears: Olivia Cashmore ‘Hollins’ jacket, Ruby ‘Firebird’ pants.
Before the runway, the preparation. Kāhui Collective brought together 15 Indigenous designers and 27 cultures under an entirely Māori-led team for one of the most significant shows on the NZFW calendar. Handwoven textiles, natural dyes, harakeke and muka — ancient craft handled with the care and intention it deserves.
Sarah wears: Harris Tapper ‘Balmoral’ parka, Tibi skirt.
Beach Brains made its long-awaited NZFW runway debut at Shed 10, fresh from Paris and bringing its irreverent take on Aotearoa cool straight to the home crowd. Tailored but deliberately undone, the collection leaned into grunge — oversized coats, loose ties, layered scarves and Speed Dealer shades — with a star-studded cast that had the room locked from first look to last. The finale brought the entire audience to its feet. A cult favourite, finally home.
Sophie wears: Henne ‘Briar’ jacket, and Paris Georgia Mermaid skirt.
Georgia wears: twenty-seven names T-shirt, Marle skirt, Camilla and Marc denim trench, Deadly Ponies ‘Clippity’ tote, Prada sunglasses.
Day five:
Zambesi closed the formal show schedule at Ōkahu Bay Wharf as the sun came up over Waitematā Harbour for Song to the Siren — models emerging from the sea in sheer fabrics and fluid draping, a coastal palette shifting from mustard and turquoise to cream and black, finished with clear-heeled sandals and tiny bottles worn as necklaces. It was cinematic, and it was the right note to end on.
Natalia wears: Harris Tapper coat, Moochi belt.
Georgia wears: New season Zambesi Edit jacket & the Kiltie. Deadly Ponies ‘Clippity’ tote, La Tribe x Superette boots.
Sarah wears: Zambesi ‘Savant’ jacket. Claudia Li shirt. Deadly Ponies heels.
Sophie wears: Minima Esenciales ‘Aila’ maxi skirt, Brie Leon ‘Mini Barrel’ bag.
