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| Fibre Artist & Fashion Designer, Shona Tawhiao |
Shona Tawhiao is
a fibre artist and designer trained in traditional Maori weaving techniques and
methods. Tawhiao designs and creates
garments entirely made of native flax or Harakeke complete with matching
accessories such as hats and shoes. The
key distinguishing factor between Tawhiao and other Pasifika Fashion Haute
Couture designers is her strict use of native flax to create her unique haute couture designs.
Unlike other designers, Tawhiao mixes traditional Maori weaving skills with her
eye for contemporary design. Tawhiao has exhibited extensively with her style
of woven art, has produced TV sets for the Maori Television Service worked in
art and costume departments for films 'Maori Merchant of Venice' and 'River
Queen' among others. She has been producing award winning woven
garments where she has developed techniques and designs that are unique to her
aspirations of Maori culture and other indigenous nations.
Tawhiao's Haute Couture collection 'Te Whiri' under her label 'TAWHIAO'
is inspired by her fascination with Japan’s Harajuku girls and is influence by
her interest in Maori, Japanese and Roman warriors.
"My collection is inspired by traditional warrior wear, Samurai,
Roman, the Masai, and Maori of course. It's totally military warrior woman
meets marching girl. --Shona Tawhiao
She goes on further to state that, "Everything Japanese
is inspirational to me. How an indigenous culture creates a subculture, I think
is really cool. Maori don't have that yet."
Her pieces are definitely in a class of their own. Her pure usage of flax is truly fashion forward
and innovative in creating such great peplum shapes, distinct clean lines, and
movement. Tawhiao’s pieces flow with
grace and dignity in a very similar fashion to the warriors that she draws so
much inspiration.
*Photo Credit: Shona Tawhiao
Check out my favorite pieces from Shona's collections:
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