Hokonui Fashion Awards initiative to empower emerging talent
"Our designers have come together to inspire and lift the next generation, and that’s something incredibly special."
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Some of New Zealand’s most celebrated fashion designers are joining forces to launch the Next Gen Collective - an initiative led by the MLT Hokonui Fashion Awards to empower and showcase the next generation of fashion talent.
At the heart of the project is a range of exclusive T-shirts, with a unique creation designed by New Zealand’s leading fashion minds.
The collection is not only a celebration of their artistry but also a platform to raise funds and awareness for emerging designers.
The designers lending their creative weight to the Next Gen Collective represent some of the best in New Zealand fashion.
From iconic labels like TAYLOR, Twenty Seven Names, Kathryn Wilson, New Lands, and Huffer’s Steve Dunstan, each contributor brings a voice, vision, and legacy to the collection.
Driving the initiative is Jacqui McKinney, Chairperson of the MLT Hokonui Fashion Awards, who has brought together the country’s brightest design talents with a shared purpose.
“This is what happens when creativity and collaboration collide. Our designers have come together to inspire and lift the next generation, and that’s something incredibly special. These T-shirts represent New Zealand’s design excellence while raising the profile of the talented young creatives who will shape our industry’s future.”
Creation Signs is supporting the initiative, bringing the designs to life.
Funds raised from the collection will go directly into creating opportunities for emerging designers.
“Our designers have poured their talent into this initiative because they believe in the power of paying it forward,” McKinney said.
“The Next Gen Collective is about more than a single project - it’s about fostering creativity, and championing talent, and ensuring our design industry continues to lead the way.”
Marketing agency Naked Creative has also got behind the cause.
The exclusive Next Gen Collective T-shirts will soon be available for purchase.
The website will be launched at the MLT Hokonui Fashion Awards.