KEY POINTS:
The elegant flowing outfit that won the Style Pasifika Fashion Award last night was firmly rooted in its designer's whanau.
Supreme award-winner Kiri Nathan said her garment was inspired by a picture of her grandfather's Maori Battalion uniform and by her grandmother's work as a seamstress.
Called Te Aria, it was created from organza, pure wool, feathers and cotton knit.
The Style Pasifika award has been staged for 15 years in Auckland. Initially a small community event, it is now New Zealand's largest fashion award.
The director and producer, Stan Wolfgramm, said moving the awards to the Vector Arena this year had been a "coming of age" for Style Pasifika.
Ms Nathan told how on a family visit to her grandmother's home she saw an old photograph of her grandparents. Her grandfather was dressed in his smartly tailored military uniform.
She combined that poignant image with the deep respect she felt for her grandmother "as she created wonder on her old Singer sewing machine".
Ms Nathan's entry also won the Traditionally Inspired category.
The runner-up to the supreme award was Hawkes Bay's Wayne Skipworth.
His Hinemoana was described as "an intricate garment carved in blue and white leather including matching boots".
He also won the Urban Streetwear category.
Full list of Style Pasifika award winners:
Body Art
Winner: "Captain Cook" by Hayley Marlow
Traditionally Inspired
Winner: "Te Aria" by Kiri Nathan, Mt Wellington, Auckland
Runner up: Shona Tawhaio, Avondale, Auckland
Asia Pasifika
Winner: "Te Puke Meets Thai Tribe" by Hazel Kirkham, Tauranga
Runner up: "Pohutukawa" by Mollie Barr & Tara Cunnifee, Mt Eden, Auckland
3 Piece Collection
Winner: "Birds of a Feather" by Annah Stretton, Morrinsville
Runner Up: "Pearl Harbour 1941" by Corinne Te Whaata, Howick, Auckland
Hero
Winner: "Venus - Live and in the Flesh" by James Leuii, Westmere, Auckland
Runner Up: "My Durex Diva" by Candy Elsmore, Mt Albert, Auckland
Urban Streetwear
Winner: "Hinemoana" by Wayne Skipworth, Hastings
Runner Up: "Daywater" by Maxine Woodridge & Kristin Leitch, Glen Innes, Auckland
Menswear
Winner: "New Him" by Melany Yin, Avondale Auckland
Runner Up: "I love NZ" by Michelle Smith, Wanganui
Bridal
Winner: Rebecca Cassin, Nelson
Runner Up: "Family Ties" by Sarah Mules, Epsom, Auckland
Eveningwear
Winner: "Pacific Princess by Stephanie Kohlhase & Michael Monaghan, Westmere, Auckland
Runner Up: "Manaia" by Lisa Hansen, Christchurch
Parent and Child
Winner: Will & Tammy Isaaka, Manukau, Auckland
Runner Up: Taku Wahine Purotu, Taku Tane purotu by Heather Skipworth, Hastings
