Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers trade leotards to showcase activewear for NZ Fashion Week

In a New Zealand Fashion Week first, dancers from the Royal New Zealand Ballet have traded their leotards for activewear and graced the catwalk.

Eight ballerinas were among the models who took part in this evening's show by designer Andrea Moore.

They opened the show, gliding across the catwalk, which was packed from all angles with spectators and photographers, hoisting each other up on occasion in time to the blaring pop music.

Prior to the show, Andrea Moore told NZH Focus she had wanted the show to be far from boring.

She also said she wanted to break through the industry mould, and bring in "real women".

Moore brought in a number of fitness influencers to take part, all of whom had never modelled on a catwalk before.

The group, dressed in activewear, didn't strut their stuff like the models, but instead performed an energetic aerobic routine midway through the half-hour show.

Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers showcase designs by Andrea Moore on the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week 2017. Photo / Getty Images