Did you know back then that's what you wanted to do?

Yeah, I think I've always known that I wanted to do something in the creative sector.

And fashion was always that thread that ran through all the different creative outlets that I personally had.

I think it's poignant to point out that there's many people that feel like that.

There's many Māori that feel like that.

But, you know, when I was growing up, moving into fashion wasn't really...

it wasn't really a choice.

I guess that process of having to go and do the research and the deep dives into the story that you're putting or the purāku that you're putting together with your piece makes it the ultimate slow fashion because it's slower to get there.

Mm

... for me that our- Our cutters and our machinists and our, like, just, um, artisans were in the front row because they never get thought of when it comes to runway time.

They're always, uh, uh, some of them are not even invited to, like, shows.

And, um, so I remember at the time, you know, um, we'd been told, "You need to invite all these delegates, and you need to invite these influencers," and so forth.

And we were like, "No, we're gonna fill that space with people who have had our back for all these years." And then it was really important to me that I send a message to each of them to let them know, let you know, um, how special you are to me.

Um, why should people come to New Zealand Fashion Week?

Um, well, I think first of all, because now they have access.

You know, previously you couldn't get access to New Zealand Fashion Week unless you were given a ticket, and you kind of had to be in the clique to get a ticket.