2025 Section Themes

Aotearoa New Zealand is a proud nation with a rich and diverse blend of cultures, peoples and customs. Ngā tangata Māori (Māori people) are te tangata whenua (the first people of this land).

Reach into your unique connection, perspectives, original creativity and imagination to tell a story of your personal relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand. Be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of te taiao Aotearoa (New Zealand’s natural environment), honour culture and history, embrace your aspirations for the future of this wonderful land and its people.

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Take the concept of fashion and push the limitations. Explore a world that is experimental, radical, and unorthodox. Create a work of art that is forward thinking, unconventional and explores new forms of structure and design.

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A world with no thematic boundaries. Giving you freedom to explore and create your own design. The only limit is your own imagination.

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Using the power and grace of the invisible energy of air, design a garment that can fly, float, inflate or levitate. Gather your inspiration from the sky, clouds and atmospheric conditions. Consider how human ingenuity challenges the realms of air and gravity. Explore parachutes and wings, weightless inflatables or the simplicity of flowing fabric moved by the energy of wind.

Tell a legendary story or fantastical tale through wearable art. A heroines epic journey or a hero’s lesson born in lore, myths and legends are filled with symbolism and the metaphorical. Deities, protectors, creators and supernatural elements come to life in a dimension of mystical power, adventure and larger than life entities. Release the dark monsters, mysterious creatures, ethereal spirits and wise archetypes in your visual storytelling.

Neon colours embody energy and excitement. Their power of illumination brings fun, frivolity, and a connection to the energy of night life and big cities after sunset. Using the bright energetic colours of the neon spectrum to create a work of wearable art that is vibrant, bold, bright and brash. Dip into a palette of electric hues, glow in the dark materials, and create a celebration of neon energy.