Jordyn Snowling design

Grace Evania design

Gearing up for the recent Te Koanga Maori Fashion Show, EIT ideaschool student Grace Evania wasn’t bothered if her design was the brightest on the catwalk.Mad on menswear, the final -year fashion design student didn’t stint on colour or pattern, teaming up “clashing prints’—a black and white chain design for pants and a Japanese floral for a parka – with a tailored black satin shirt.

Of Ngati Kahungunu descent, Grace was one of 11 EIT Certificate in Fashion Design students taking part in the event, which was staged in tandem with the National Waiata Maori Music Awards in the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings.

Meaning new beginnings, Te Koanga gives up-and-coming designers an opportunity to showcase their work alongside those already established in the industry.  This year’s premier designers included Tory Tiopira who completed his EIT studies last year and was launching his first official collection. 

Like many fledgling designers, Grace was drawn to art, pattern and construction throughout her school years, so progressing to the EIT certificate programme was a logical move for the former Wairoa College student, particularly with her mother, head of department for home economics Karen Hayward, “pushing my pattern fetish”.

Ambitious, focused and passionate about pattern making and clothing construction, Grace is keen to develop her own menswear label.  With a small design company in mind, she is progressing to EIT business diploma studies next year.

All Grace’s classmates featured in the show, including Jordyn Snowling and Hineiwaerea Chadwick.

Jordyn’s design, based on vintage burlesque steampunk, featured a bold vintage printed full-length skirt, pulled up in the front with studded buckles, matched with a fitted corset and mask.

Hineiwaerea’s outfit was influenced by New Zealand’s colonial era, with the clash of Victorian and Maori cultures inspiring a mix of naval-inspired stripes and woven flax.

Photographs by Kevin Bridle for EIT.