Trio of fashion stars to sparkle for Matariki

Bay of Plenty Times

9 Jun, 2015 05:05 AM4 mins to read

Smart punk apparel from Glen MacLachlan's Mac Vicious Society collection. Image/supplied

A highlight of the celebrations will be a catwalk showing of evocative designs by three up-and-coming Bay of Plenty designers, writes Martine Rolls.

Although Glen Maclachlan says fashion design has been no more than a hobby for him until now, the single dad from Mount Maunganui has been making waves since the May launch of his label, Mac Vicious Society.

Glen's work is gaining momentum, and this hobby is set to turn into a successful career.

Not only has he just launched his own label, Glen is also one of three graduates from the 2014 Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Fashion Degree course to show some of their collections on the catwalk in the launch of Matariki celebrations at Tauranga Art Gallery on June 18.

The fashion show, Te Ao Hou, will be spectacular with a mix of streetwear and haute couture, contemporary Maori art, music and other performances.

Tasmyn Moana Roach and Angela Marie Hodge, who also graduated with a Fashion degree last year, will be showing their garments with Glen.

The three emerging local designers have been selected exclusively for the show and will each show five garments.

Their collections emphasise sustainable fashion practice, contemporary design and individual cultural heritage.

Smart punk apparel from Glen MacLachlan's Mac Vicious Society collection. Image/supplied

The graduates will be showing their work at the Tauranga Art Gallery alongside celebrated Maori fashion designers Jeanine Clarkin, Christopher Huia Woods, and Shona Tawhiao.

Jeanine and Shona have just returned from Hawaii, where they showed with Mattiu Dallas and several native Hawaiian artists at the 2015 MAMo Wearable Arts fashion show.

After the Tauranga show, Shona is taking her garments to London Fashion Week.

"It's a real honour to be part of this. I have been following Shona's career for years and I've seen her show at NZ Fashion Week. Her work is amazing," Glen says.

"When I started designing fashion, my Maori heritage was my strongest influence. But by the end of the degree, I had found out where I really wanted to be as a designer. It switched."

The fashion Glen creates is for men and women, and he calls his style streetwear, smart punk attire, or "smunk''.

Glen is still studying at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, for a certificate in apparel manufacturing this time, and says his aim is to turn his dream into a goal, and that goal into a reality.

"When I started I couldn't sew," he says.

"Now that Mac Vicious Society is a reality and I'm keen to bring out more collections, I'll continue to improve and fine-tune my skills."

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Fashion Design tutor Donna Dinsdale says the three graduates' collections are unique and diverse, and that they highlight a very contemporary interpretation of cultural influences seen today in Aotearoa's multicultural society.

"They have all brought forward their own unique and individual interpretation of what current fashion design is in relation [to] contemporary Maori art," she says.

Shona Tawhiao Originally from Tauranga but now based in Auckland, Shona Tawhiao is a celebrated fashion designer and flax weaver whose work has been recognised nationally as well as in Europe, Australia and the Pacific.

Shona's creations are mahi raranga mahi toi, haute couture and contemporary art.

Her latest exhibition, Te Whare Tawhiao, can be seen at Tauranga Art Gallery until July 19.

Jeanine Clarkin Jeanine is known for garments made from recycled fabric and her designs often incorporate and rework the domestic apron form.

She lives and works in Auckland.

Her brand, Jeanine Clarkin Design, was established in 1994, and she was responsible for dressing Keisha Castle-Hughes for all her Whale Rider premieres in 2002.

Christopher Huia Woods Tauranga-based fashion designer Christopher Huia Woods showed at Vector Arena during the 2011 Rugby World Cup and created the gown for Miss New Zealand to wear in the Miss World final in South Africa.

His new collection is inspired by the colours of Aotearoa.

Chris also works as a hairdresser at Scarlet Hair Studio on Cameron Rd, and won RPR Australian Hair Colourist of the Year in 2014.

The Details Te Ao Hou (The New World) - Matariki Fashion Show
When: Thursday, June 18, doors open at 6.30pm
Where: Tauranga Art Gallery, cnr Wharf and Willow streets Cost: $20 or $15 with student ID.
Limited tickets still available. Call Tauranga Art Gallery or (07) 5787933.