Designer part of New Generation (+ video)

A Rotorua fashion designer is hoping to gain international exposure after showcasing his designs at New Zealand Fashion Week.

Kharl Wirepa William was part of the New Generation Show in Auckland yesterday where 12 of his designs were modelled on the catwalk in front of industry buyers and media, including representatives from one of the world's most recognisable fashion magazines, Vogue US.

It is the second time the Waiariki Institute of Technology fashion graduate has shown at Fashion Week after being part of the Miramoda show last year.

"Designers get a list of all the names and what happened this year is that I had an email from Vogue US, requesting front-row seats at the show. So that's really exciting.

"For me, this show is really about business, I've only given two seats to my family, but having [Vogue] there is really good for New Zealand designers and really good for Rotorua designers," he said.

The 12 looks shown yesterday will be at the Resene Designer Selection Show today and tomorrow.

"It's inspired by Arab kings, Middle Eastern glamour is something I was channelling. There's embellishments and sequin prints, it's very Arabic-Persian inspired."

His collection was made in just 10 days. Speaking just after the collection came off the catwalk, he said there had been plenty of media interest and "bloggers going nuts".