The Indigenous Māori Fashion Apparel Board (IMFAB) was founded in 2008, an organisation instituted to advance the quality status of Māori fashion design and to raise its artistic and professional standards. Miromoda also aims to define a code of ethical practices of mutual benefit in public and trade relations and, to promote appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in high quality, authenticity and aesthetic discernment.

Miromoda is committed to nurturing the development of the Māori fashion industry’s future designers. Miromoda educational initiatives will provide support and strengthen resources for students at secondary, tertiary and post-graduate levels. In addition, Miromoda hopes to offer support to working designers in the early stages of their careers, and should they require, mentoring throughout their future, including international profile and participation.

Each year Miromoda hosts an awards competition event at Wellington’s Massey University. The finalists then showcase their talent at New Zealand Fashion Week under the Miromoda Showcase.

The Miromoda Showcase is a personal favourite of mine – as a young Māori artist, I am extremely proud to see other Māori artists succeeding in their fields.

The designers showing in the Miromoda Showcase this year were: Poto Morgan (Ngaruawahia), Maehe Ranginui (Whanganui), Pia Boutique (Auckland), Koia Gray (Wainuiomata High School), Hohepa Thompson (Victoria University, Wellington), Olivia Edginton (Wainuiomata High School), Christopher Huia-Woods (Auckland), Shona Tawhiao (Auckland), DMONIC INTENT (Auckland), Monique Lynch (Auckland) and Surface Too Deep (Wellington).

Mania Moko (Vanity Walk) for Poto Morgan | Maehe Ranginui at the Miromoda Showcase

I really liked the woven elements of this outfit, which was quite edgy and avant garde.

Pia Boutique at the Miromoda Showcase

Pia Boutique’s clothing was fresh, vibrant and fun, featuring floral and graphic prints in bold colours.

Koia Gray | Hohepa Thompson | Olivia Edginton at the Miromoda Showcase

Mania Moko (Vanity Walk) for Christopher Huia-Woods at the Miromoda Showcase

Christopher Huia-Woods’ garments stood out with bright reds and oranges being offset by moody blacks. The overall look was very avant garde and strong while still being playful.

Leilani (N Model Management) for Shona Tawhiao at the Miromoda Showcase

Shona Tawhiao at the Miromoda Showcase

Another very avant garde collection, this time from designer Shona Tawhiao.  I love the mixture of fabrics and textures in the collection, they work really well in contrast to one another.

Lenka Leova (Red 11) for DMONIC INTENT at the Miromoda Showcase

Natua Holmes (Red 11) for DMONIC INTENT at the Miromoda Showcase

Genevieve Mora (Red 11) for DMONIC INTENT at the Miromoda Showcase

DMONIC INTENT’s Heaven Bleeds Black collection was the stand out of the showcase for me – their attention to detail and impeccable styling meant that the collection worked well as a whole, as well as each garment making a fantastic individual impression.  What I like most about DMONIC INTENT’s clothing is that it seems like it would be wearable off the runway (and it is, I’ve seen a few people sporting delicious DMONIC goodness!), while still being high fashion.

Monique Lynch at the Miromoda Showcase

Monique Lynch’s collection looked to be made largely from varying shades of grey neoprene (which, if I’m not mistaken, is the same material my wetsuit was made of?).  An interesting choice of fabric!

Surface Too Deep at the Miromoda Showcase

Surface Too Deep showed some amazing swimsuits with fantastic floral prints that made me yearn for summer! The outfits were fun, colourful and youthful, and it was a great way to end such a wonderful showcase.

I look forward to seeing what these designers come up with over the coming years, and hope I get a chance to attend the Miromoda Showcase at NZFW 2013!

© Meagan Kerr Photography 2012