The countdown is on to the Future of Fashion – Driven by Giltrap runway showcase which will take place during New Zealand Fashion Week on 20 August.
The eight finalists representing the next generation of fashion talent in Aotearoa are Anthurium, Heather Brennan Evans, iTi Clothes, Laurence Sabrine, NIQ Atelier, Rhian, Winnie Catherine and Zoe Langley.
Many have debuted at ĀHUA Fashion Week but one common thread they share is a commitment to craft and slow fashion.
Meet the finalists
Chloe Giles of Anthurium has an instantly recognisable design signature that has already turned heads on the runway and red carpet. At ĀHUA earlier this year her plated steel jewellery pieces accessorised Fringes by Finn Mora-Hill collection. And her Elven-style bandeau was notably worn by musician Geneva Alexander-Marsters at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards. Her distinctive pieces include medieval chain mail-esque headpieces. We love how Anthurium is bringing these historical references into the everyday with, dare we say it, a twist!
Anthurium by Chloe Giles.
Heather Brennan Evans emphasis is on textile manipulation and embellishment. All her designs are made in Aotearoa using predominantly dead stock materials including material sourced from second hand markets in Bali. Her colourful patchwork approach to design also speaks to design of the future with regards to using what we have instead of producing more.
Heather Brennan Evans
Slow fashion label iTi Clothes came onto our radar at the New Guard show at Christchurch Fashion Festival 2025. We love iTi’s shirts that feature strips of cotton woven into panels, bringing texture and a beautiful architectural symmetry to every garment. Designer Jeorge Bradford cuts every panel, sews every seam, and weaves every strip of fabric himself and developed the woven construction technique that has become central to his practice.
iTi Clothes
Laurence Sabrine has showed at ĀHUA twice and he’s caught the eye of the judges. His eclectic designs are inspired by his Filipino origins and Wellington upbringing. Think lots of layering and draping and juxtaposing unlikely fabrics.
Laurence Sabrine
NIQ Atelier is possibly best described as a punk Māori fusion label committed to circular fashion.and cultural storytelling. Each NIQ Atelier piece is unique and made from 70-100% recycled content. Designer Niquita Samuel uses water-inspired dye techniques and redesigns preloved garments into avant-garde creations that echo the stories of her ancestors. She opened the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show at New Zealand Fashion Week 2023 and has designed many bespoke costumes for events such as Miss Planet New Zealand 2025 (pictured below).
NIQ Atelier for Miss Planet New Zealand 2025
Slow fashion label Rhian hails from Dunedin where it is also made and designed by Brittany Nelson-Misa. Rhian is stocked at The Shelter, Auckland, too! Rhian’s ‘Where Flowers Rust’ collection was a highlight of the Detecting Hope Fundraiser Fashion and Art Show held recently in Dunedin. There’s so much to love about Rhian garments that merge sculptural form and functional design, and balance art with wearability. Each piece is made in small runs or to order, which reduces waste.
Rhian by Brittany Nelson-Misa
Winnie Catherine was a highlight on the ĀHUA calendar in March, has just joined The Shelter and was named ‘Emerging New Zealand Fashion Designer of the Year’ for Remix Magazine. Wellington Winnie Catherine designer Winnie Solomon (Kai Tāhu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha rātou Kāti Ruahikihiki) takes inspiration from Victorian-era garments, particularly the emergence of the “new woman”, who she feels parallels the modern woman today. The name of her label honours her great grandmothers’ Winifred and Catherine. This is contemporary workwear at its best.
Winne Catherine. Photography Aliyah Hazel Edwards
Zoe Langley has shown at ĀHUA thrice! Originally from Christchurch she studied fashion in Auckland at AUT where she is now based. She takes a hands-on approach to everything she does and has gained value industry experience interning for Ingrid Starnes and Rose’s alterations as well as Harris Tapper and Sylvester. She also produces her collections entirely by hand!
Zoe Langley
Future of Fashion is NZFW’s flagship platform for emerging designers, providing rising talent with the opportunity to showcase their collections while receiving invaluable industry exposure, mentorship and support.
As part of the Future of Fashion showcase, one finalist will receive the Giltrap Group Helping Kiwis Fly Award: Fashion Edition; a career-defining prize designed to accelerate the winning designer’s growth through financial support, industry mentorship, media opportunities and a 12-month Škoda New Zealand vehicle sponsorship.
