Jess Molina is a staunch champion of Aotearoa fashion and NZ’s world-class creativity, unique spirit and diversity in all its senses.
A previous ambassador at Fashion Week, this week she took to the runway walking for Māori and Indigenous designers’ group show Kāhui Collective. Represented by talent agency Liquorice, she is always at the forefront of the arts, film, fashion, food, beauty and stuff we should care about.
As celebrated for her hot takes as she is for her unique sense of style, we asked Jess to break down her top five looks from NZ Fashion Week in her signature, thoughtful writing style. Enjoy….
Claudia Li’s NZFW debut was perhaps the most highly anticipated show of the year.
A staple in NYFW, this year Claudia decided to do something on her home turf of Aotearoa.
For a weekday morning show, Shed 10 sure was packed with the most stylish attendees of the week.
Claudia’s show was nothing short of magical – from her signature bows and structured pieces to sneakers with what I can only describe as fringing perfectly suited to the collection that she styled herself.
This was fashion at its best!
Breathtaking runway with flowing fabric draped at the gate, the soft wind blowing in the venue made for a dramatic feature as we made our way to our seats.
I came in earlier to take a sneak peek backstage, and wore beautiful pieces by Untouched World, of course.
I think the styling by Dan Ahwa helped bring this story to life and as Enya’s ‘Orinoco Flow’ closed the show with models descending down the runway as a group, it was clear that this show just solidified the brand’s new creative chapter. It was fresh, current, and relevant. Take me to their Newmarket store immediately!
You think you know what to expect from Juliette Hogan – romantic pieces, minimal styling, some cool print, florals – and then she does it, and somehow, I’m still surprised.
There was a moment where my seatmate and I audibly gasped. There was a cream, tailored jacket tied up paired with a sheer cream skirt that was just made for movement in the runway.
Fabrics that looked like liquid. There’s a reason why the Juliette Hogan show was one of the first shows to sell out.
And the finale, drawing back the curtains to reveal a beautiful, floral installation and champagne for everyone was inspired, and again reminded me why.
I walked this show for Katherine Anne and some the designers that were part of it this year I’ve known for years but, personal history aside, this show would have made my favourites regardless!
They had something for everyone, and even had the most standout menswear pieces of the year. But what the show had that really stood out was a lot of heart. It was clear why this collective exist. And as Kiri Nathan said at the beginning of the show, “the best way to support creatives is to buy their stuff”.
Days later, I heard Fijian designer Temesia’s pieces had already sold. That’s the power of a great show and impeccable storytelling.
Zambesi is one of the few brands that considers every touchpoint of a runway from a VIP pre-hosting at McLaren where we got to be transported to Shed 10 in the cars to an afterparty at Origine in Commercial Bay with the strictest guest list.
Zambesi IS synonymous to NZ fashion and their show Instrumental proved that again.
From their signature darker colour palette, draping, and accessorising (the hats were inspiring) to the precision of the lighting and smoke machine, and the perfectly curated soundtrack by Sophie Findlay, this was everything I believed fashion week to be when I was a young girl dreaming of being in this industry.
Image credit:
Juliette Hogan – Ronald Rieza
Claudia Li, Untouched World, Kāhui Collective, Zambesi – Radlab
