Maori designs to show in Melbourne

A Maori designer will have her designs show during Melbourne Fashion Festival in March. Photo:...
A Maori designer will have her designs show during Melbourne Fashion Festival in March. Photo: Brenda Harwood
Dunedin Maori fashion designer Amber Bridgman is thrilled to have been selected to showcase her designs at next month’s Melbourne Fashion Festival.

 

Miss Bridgman, whose whakapapa is Ngai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha and Rabuvai, will show her work alongside designers from various cultures, as part of the Global Indigenous Runway on March 18.

The brainchild of Australia-based Maori woman Tina Waru, the Global Indigenous Runway will feature Australian Aboriginal, New Zealand Maori, Native American, First Nations and Pasifika designers.

For Miss Bridgman, who fits in her designing work around her family and working part-time for a Maori healthprovider, the invitation to be part of Melbourne Fashion Festival was the chance of a lifetime.

"It will be a real privilege to show my work there, and on my birthday, too.''

A designer from the age of 15, Miss Bridgman (37) launched her Kahuwai label 12 years ago.

Her collection for Melbourne has the title 'Te Ao Marama/Into The World of Light' and was shaped by her journey through her grief at the death of her father 18 months ago.

"I went back to things that make me feel good, in particular surfing and creating, which I found very healing," she said.

The 12 pieces in the collection start off quite dark and progress towards a fabulous white gown symbolising rebirth.

"My collection is a real journey. It has been about revitalising myself."

Miss Bridgman has also focused on her whakapapa as a Southern Maori, with designs incorporating feathers, piupiu and screen-printed images.

"My other big love is vintage — so there is a lot of deconstructed vintage clothing in it."

Miss Bridgman says she has been lucky to be able to draw on talented musicians in her extended family for her runway soundtrack, which will feature music by Ladi 6 and Mara TK.

Being away for a week will be a challenge, as it will be the longest she has been away from her children. However, she will be accompanied by her "greatest supporter", her mum, Elizabeth McLean.

Miss Bridgman is fundraising to get to the festival. For details, visit her Kahuwai facebook page.
 

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