A first-time entrant in the Westfield Style Pasifika fashion show was tempted to wear her design herself. Sharu Delilkan reports.
Sara-Maria Broekhoff epitomises what Westfield Style Pasifika is about.
The emerging designer is thrilled to be showcasing her creation at the annual fashion industry and public.
The 26-year-old from Beach Haven only decided to enter the show four weeks before the closing date. Her mother had picked up an entry form and urged her to get cracking on a design.
Broekhoff says she signed up for the Asia Pacific category because "coming from a family of immigrants, from Holland, we have a lot in common" with other people whose origins are somewhere other than from New Zealand.
Choosing the lines for her entry, Fans of Fancy, came easily. "I'd always wanted to make a dress with fabric draping at the back and incorporate fans into the design. That's why I purposely made it too small for me - so I wouldn't be tempted to wear it," she says.
Although this will be her first competition, she's an experienced designer-seamstress. She recently made wedding dresses for friends and the bridesmaids dresses for her sister's wedding earlier this year.
"She's great to be around when she's creating," says her mother, Wilhelmina, "and I love the way she thinks outside the square. I was blown away when I saw her dress for the show.
"I can just picture her having her own line in the future, telling people what to do."
The show's 10 categories are: MAC Pasifika Body Art, Youthtown Traditionally Inspired, Resene Asia Pasifika, Max Three-Piece Collection of Day Wear, NZAF-PPP Pasifika Hero, Flava Urban Street Wear, Barkers Pasifika Menswear, getfunkd Evening Wear, Pacific Blue Pasifika Bridal and Te Puni Kokiri Parent & Child.
Performers this year include Annie Crummer, Black Grace, the Dawn Raid family (including Brotha D, Aaradhna, Sweet & Irie, Monsta, Frisco and J'son) and the Yandall Sisters.
Westfield Style Pasifika 2010, Vector Arena, 34 Mahuhu Cres, Sept 3, 7.30pm.
Tickets ph 970 9700 or see: www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Details see www.stylepasifika.co.nz
Fanciful for Pasifika
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