-
Sandra Tupu's Tatau collection won her the Westfield Style Pasifika supreme award and runner up - Source: Supplied -
View Photos
A latecomer to fashion and mother of four has taken out the supreme award in the 2010 Westfield Style Pasifika fashion awards held at Auckland's Vector Arena tonight.
Sandra Tupu, from the Auckland suburb of Titirangi, is a recent design graduate but conquered all with her three-piece women's wear collection "Tatau", inspired by traditional Samoan tattoos, or tatau.
Judge Denise L'Estrange-Corbet from World told ONE News that the winning design was commercial but a beautiful design.
"The winning outfit was really well thought out and beautifully made and it just had this fantastic story going through it. I felt it could be put into a shop tomorrow and it could be sold tomorrow," L'Estrange-Corbet said.
And, Tupu didn't just have one prize to celebrate - her menswear collection of the same name won her the overall runner-up prize.
L'Estrange-Corbet said it was unprecedented for a designer to take out both the Supreme Award and Runner Up.
"It shows the strength of the collection. She was a stand-out winner," L'Estrange-Corbet said.
"Her garments were modern, had quirky twists, which we always like, and blended together really well."
Tupu said she tried to create a style that was relaxed and comfortable, "but also slightly dishevelled".
"The art of tatau is deeply embedded into Samoan culture and history and my collection explores this," Tupu said. "It's part of my heritage, my inspiration and my passion."
Tatau featured innovative use of natural materials such as antique flour bags, army blankets, calico and merino wool.
Tupu, 45, describes herself as a late starter to fashion. She graduated from the Auckland University of Technology in 2009 with a Bachelor of Design majoring in fashion and specialising in menswear.
"I was an at-home mum for a long time but have always been interested in design and fashion," she said. "I've made a lot of my clothes since I was young - my grandma and my mum taught me. While the kids were at school there was an opportunity for me to take three years out and finally do it."
Tupu takes home $5000 in prize money - $3000 for first prize, $2000 for second, plus two return airfares to Pacific destinations.
Other winners and runners up included:
Youthtown Traditionally Inspired
Winner: Lindah Lepou and Louina Fifita (Mt Eden,
Auckland)
Runner up: Kohai Grace (Porirua)
Resene Asia Pasifika
Winner: Vanessa Roscoe (Mangere, Auckland)
Runner up: Margaret Lewis (Westmere, Auckland)
MAX Three Piece Collection of Day Wear
Winner: Sandra Tupu (Titirangi, Auckland)
Runner up: Blaire Archibald (Mt Eden, Auckland)
NZAF Pasifika Hero
Winner: James Leuii (Westmere, Auckland)
Runner up: Naomi Spicer & Terry Whaitiri (Parnell,
Auckland)
Flava Urban Street Wear
Winner: Margaret Lewis (Westmere, Auckland)
Runner up: Fa'afoi Robyn Seaso (Porirua)
Barkers Pasifika Menswear
Winner: Sandra Tupu (Titirangi, Auckland)
Runner up: Amber Bridgman (Dunedin)
getfunkd Hutt Evening Wear
Winner: Sharah Friis (Tauranga)
Runner up: Hayley Erasmus (Mt Maunganui)
Pacific Blue Pasifika Bridal
Winner: Debra Laraman (KatiKati)
Runner up: Visesio Louis Thomsen (Manurewa, Auckland)
Te Puni Kokiri Parent and Child
Winner: Erna Van Der Wat (Rothesay Bay, Auckland)
Runner up: Hannah Blackburn (Palmerston North)
