Kiri Nathan MNZM Joins the World of WearableArt Board

The World of WearableArt Board of Directors is delighted to announce that internationally acclaimed designer, cultural ambassador and mentor Kiri Nathan (Ngāti Pāoa) will join the Board as a Director. 

Kiri’s work weaves together culture, tradition and contemporary designs. Embracing te ao Māori, she honours whakapapa (genealogy) while offering design aesthetic inspired by the beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand. Kiri’s designs have been worn by the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern. She has most recently been the first Māori designer to open New Zealand Fashion Week Kahukuria 20230.

Kiri founded Kāhui Fashion Collective in 2017 to support, mentor, and champion Māori fashion designers in Aotearoa and abroad. Kiri is a board member of the I Have a Dream charitable trust, NZ China Council and on the NZ Mindful Fashion board from 2021-2023. Kiri won the Sir Peter Blake leadership award and Māori Women's Development Inc title of Māori Business Woman of the Year in 2019 and was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020.

World of WearableArt Chair Sarah Smith says alongside her governance experience, Kiri will bring to the Board a designer’s perspective, her deep knowledge of Māori design and culture, and her drive to support the next generation of designers.

"Kiri’s relationship with WOW began as a finalist and is a great example of how WOW plays a role in the careers and development of designers and artists from Aotearoa and all over the world.”

Kiri will join the WOW Board from 1 November 2023.