Glitz and glam at Gloss Fashion Fundraiser

The Gloss Fashion Fundraiser will feature Kiwi designers this Saturday night in the Rotorua Lakes Council Galleria. The show aims to raise Rotorua’s profile as a cultural fashion hub while raising funds to take 10 local models to New Zealand Fashion Week.

Rotorua designer Kharl Wirepa, the show’s director, will showcase his own Kharl WiRepa Fashion line at New Zealand Fashion Week for the third time in August and has a vision to promote Te Arawa talent. He wants to take 10 models from his Gloss Quality model agency in Rotorua to New Zealand Fashion Week to model his line, seeing it as an opportunity to launch themselves into the national fashion industry.

“My hope for the Gloss Fashion Fundraiser this weekend is to bring attention to the amazing, creative talent in Rotorua. I want to showcase the unique, diverse culture that Te Arawa brings to the multimillion dollar fashion industry.

“I really want to promote my models and show New Zealand Fashion Week the wealth of untapped talent we have here in Rotorua. My models are industry worthy, professional and catwalk ready. They are from all walks of life. We have solo mothers, high school students and young professionals. These women are ready to take this amazing opportunity to walk in front of the world’s fashion elite.

“I want this weekend’s show to be a sell-out. We should be supporting and nurturing our young people. They are the next generation of leaders in New Zealand,” said Mr Wirepa.

Saturday night in the Council Galleria will see Mr Wirepa’s models showing pieces from his Kharl WiRepa Fashion line as well as designs by Mereana Ngatai, Hard Out Kiwi, Iti Gifts and jewellery by Narida Johnstone. The models’ hair and make-up will be styled by students from Rotorua’s Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Rotorua Lakes Council Creative Portfolio support, councillor Karen Hunt, said the designers were influential in New Zealand fashion.

“These talented designers have burst onto the local art scene and are driving what’s hot in New Zealand, from right here in Rotorua.

“They are adding new weight to our creative offering by weaving together the threads of fashion, culture and art. They are the new champions of style, being worn globally, designed locally and made right here.”

Tickets can be purchased from Iti Gifts on Hinemoa Street. Numbers are limited so don’t miss out.

• General admission tickets - $15 each

• VIP tickets (wine and nibbles prior to show and VIP seating) - $30.

ENDS

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