Rotorua, best known for its stunning vistas of the Pohutu geysers and bubbling mud pools hosted its first ever Contemporary Maori Fashion extravaganza on Saturday featuring some of the countries best known fashion designers, artists and musicians. The inaugural event titled “Tiki Ahua”, themed Ka Mura: Set Alight is inspired by the Maori Goddesses of fire – showcasing 22 Maori designers from Rotorua and beyond. The runway featured street wear, daywear, adornment, evening wear and avant-garde from designers such as Kiri Nathan, Dmonic Intent and Kharl Wirepa.
The show highlights the importance of Contemporary Maori fashion and it’s way of connecting New Zealand with the rest of the world and with Rotorua being one of the countries top tourist destinations, this is the perfect location. “This is proudly Rotorua and it couldn’t be held anywhere else, Tiki Ahua could become what the World of Wearable Arts event was to Nelson” – Says Steve Chadwick, Mayor of Rotorua. See highlights from Tiki Ahua below.
