City makes fashion statement

Salon St Bruno owner Hilda Dufty and local designer Kharl Wirepa are organising a fashion show in City Focus. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua's City Focus will be transformed into a glamorous catwalk for one night to house a red carpet fashion affair open to the public.

The Heart of the City fashion show is being held on December 5 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and is being co-ordinated by Salon St Bruno owner Hilda Dufty and local designer Kharl Wirepa.

Several local businesses have jumped on board, including Finns Fashion, Pumpkin Patch, Envy, Footloose Shoes and Capers.

Mr Wirepa will be joined by Rotorua's Adrienne Whitewood and Mereana Ngatai showcasing their original designs and hair and makeup will be done at Salon St Bruno.

Ms Dufty said she and Mr Wirepa were talking about doing something to showcase his designs and the idea grew from there.

"We were talking about the idea of doing a fashion show and in the end we couldn't see any reason not to try it," she said. "The show is about promoting the centre of town without charging anybody."

She said the event had "snowballed" and quickly became a "whole community affair".

"We rang around local businesses and people were really keen to get involved. Once people knew money wouldn't be changing hands, they really bent over backwards to support the event."

Ms Dufty said a wide range of fashion would be on display.

"There will be everything from edgy streetwear to high fashion. There will be something for everyone.

"We have received great feedback so far and it just goes to show that with a little communication, you have the ability to create something really powerful and strong."

She said they expected the show to draw about 600 people and hoped it would become an annual Christmas event.

Mr Wirepa said the show was about supporting the local industry in a serious but fun way.

"We have seven fashion houses in Rotorua, three of which will be in the show this year because the others were unfortunately not available for the date. We hope to have them all involved in years to come.

"In terms of the fashion on show, people can expect avant garde from Mereana Ngatai, ethnic inspired items from Adrienne Whitewood and nothing short of glamour from me."

He said the show supported the local fashion industry in a way that "has not happened in Rotorua before".

The show is free but a gold coin donation is welcome with proceeds to Rotorua Hospice.