Newsmaker: Kharl-William Wirepa

Newsmaker: Kharl-William Wirepa

This week's Newsmaker is Kharl-William Wirepa, a Waiariki Institute of Technology fashion design student who won the Supreme Award at the Miromoda fashion design competition last weekend and is now heading to New Zealand Fashion Week.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am 22 years old. I was born in Rotorua but spent most of my childhood in South Auckland.

An only child to pool and snooker champion Roderick Lloyd and government official Maria Grace, my family and I are very close and operate in a 'gang' like fashion.

I come from a family of artists and fashion designers, so being in a creative industry is a no-brainer.

Tell us a bit about the competition you recently won?

I won the Supreme and Emerging Designer Awards at the Miromoda Showcase last weekend in Wellington. It was a thrilling experience and there were so many fabulous designers with incredible talent.

The fashion houses that placed in the competition are all invited to show their beautiful collections this year at New Zealand Fashion Week, which is most exciting for me, having never shown a collection at the event. However, I am a most religious seat filler at the shows.

What motivated you to study fashion?

I was motivated to study fashion because I moved back to Rotorua in 2013, and there were no suitable employment opportunities in fashion, therefore fate decided I had to follow my dreams and become a designer - "when there are no opportunities knocking, build a door".

Who is your fashion icon?

I have many fashion icons but my most favourite is the late socialite Isabella Blow. She was so fabulous and over the top. She launched the careers of many fashion stars including Alexander McQueen. She was so real, she was unreal.

What are your aspirations for the future?

My aspirations for the future are to continue my studies overseas. Hopefully in London or Italy.

There is so much I still need to learn, and learning among the best in the world will give me the strength to make my creativity grow. I eventually want to have a registered haute couture house in Rotorua.

What is your favorite thing about Rotorua?

My favourite thing about Rotorua is the history. From the myths that surround the cause of the eruption of Mt Tarawera to the forbidden love of Hinemoa and Tutanekai.

Rotorua has the most incredible story on how and why it was built.

Tell us three things about yourself that most people wouldn't know?

I am religious and I let God guide me through the creative processes of fashion, and just with general life.

I am a recovered P addict of two years. I believe in people changing, and with the right attitude we can achieve anything. Overcoming addiction has made me a very strong person.

My eyes only see the beauty in all things. I only see the best in everything and how alterations can make things even more gorgeous. There is no such thing as ugly. I feel this translates in my work. I like to play up all the best areas of my clients when designing and create head-turning imagery.