KEY POINTS:
For Stan Wolfgramm, Style Pasifika isn't just a fashion awards show. It's a chance to see Kiwis express who they are.
"We go over to the other side of the world and say we're from the Pacific, but what is that?" says the event's artistic director, a Tongan-Cook Island-German, born and bred in Mt Roskill.
"Back in my day it was 'Who am I? What am I?' There was no voice. But as New Zealand identity has developed, we're starting to look inside, not outside."
This year's awards, staged at the 12,000-capacity Vector Arena, will be the biggest in its 14-year history.
Billed as a "vibrant fusion of fashion, music, culture and dance", it's a colourful catwalk show spiced up with everything from Nesian Mystik to Chinese kung fu and contemporary dance.
The fashion awards are open to anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or experience.
There were more than 300 entries from around New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Australia and Rarotonga; 150 garments will appear in the show in categories ranging from bridal wear to Asia Pasifika, to traditional wear.
The judges are designers Denise L'Estrange-Corbet and Francis Hooper from World, Liz Mitchell, Caroline Church and Doris du Pont.
"If you're going to have a show in New Zealand it's got to include Mum, Dad and the kids, and food and music," says Wolfgramm.
"You look at a show in Paris or Italy it tends to be just about the garments, whereas ours is definitely about the people."
The show is a platform for budding designers, singers and dancers.
Previous winner Charmaine Love has since gone on to design for the All Blacks, Michael Campbell, Rachel Hunter's swimwear range and US beer brand Budweiser.
The musos have done alright too, with performers such as Spacifix, Dawn Raid and Nesian Mystik going on to bigger things.
"It's an opportunity for designers to use cultural motifs or materials - and musicians to use music they may feel culturally they shouldn't touch. It's an inclusive event in that way."
The Supreme winner receives $3000 and each category winner wins $1000.
A Business Scholarship will see the winning recipient mentored for New Zealand Fashion Week.
Westfield Style Pasifika, Vector Arena, tomorrow night. Tickets: $29.90-$34.90 from Ticketmaster.
