Aotearoa's premier fashion event - New Zealand Fashion Week - will return for August 25-30 in 2025, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with the support of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, New Zealand Fashion Week will take up residence at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf.
Aotearoa's leading designers and biggest names will present collections alongside the next generation of emerging talent defining the future of the industry.
With designer participation fees waived for 2025, the team has ensured barriers to entry are removed, therefore encouraging more creatives to step forward and engage in this opportunity.
New Zealand Fashion Week owner Feroz Ali said it is critically important that the NZ fashion industry flourishes and thrives, and the new measures laid out in 2025 are set to reflect this.
"NZFW is a celebration of creativity and talent focused on creating meaningful opportunities for designers. We understand the challenges the industry has been facing and that's driven our decision to waive designer entry fees in 2025 to ensure the event is as inclusive as possible," he said.
"It's critically important that the NZ fashion industry flourishes and thrives. NZ Fashion Week provides a platform to help enable recognition and growth and we've been listening to the needs of designers. Our intention is to present an event that champions and uplifts New Zealand fashion and draws consumers.
"Returning in 2025 to the new venue of Shed 10 with its character waterfront appeal, will bring a fresh energy as we continue to evolve our thinking about how to deliver a relevant, uplifting and empowering event that showcases the New Zealand design talent for audiences locally and internationally."
With last year's event showcasing the work of several talented Maori designers and creatives, hype surrounding 2025 has already begun.
The event's 2023 runway also made history by showcasing its first-ever Art Centre on the runway: Ikuntji Artists.
The art centre put forward six exquisite looks inspired by Luritja culture and Tjukurrpa from renowned Aboriginal artists.
"We are honoured to see our designs and Tjukurrpa stories on the international stage in New Zealand," Ikuntji Artists chairperson Roseranna Larry told Style Up last year.
"As artists from a remote Aboriginal community, it makes us proud to participate in New Zealand Fashion Week."
In 2025 New Zealand Fashion Week will include a dynamic schedule of runway events, talks, seminars and on- and off-site activations.
With a focus on inclusivity for fashion fans and the wider public alike, the return of the much-loved fashion event is sure to gain the attention of critics and consumers.
Applications are now open for designers with more information online.
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