New Zealand Fashion Week is once again upon us, and this year is shaping up to be one of the best yet with a renewed vision and format, and a real sense of ambition coming through from all who are involved. While there’s a whole line-up of events that are worthy of your attention, here, we share a handful of the designers whose shows and showcases we’re most looking forward to.
The Apartment by Rebe
When & Where: Offsite, Wednesday 27th August
In partnership with Partridge, Rebe is rewriting the fashion week rulebook with The Apartment — a four-day immersive experience that swaps the runway for something far more intimate. Set high above Auckland in a light-filled penthouse at the newly completed 51 Albert Street development, the project distils designer Rebe Healy’s quietly luxurious world into a space that feels part private salon, part gallery, and part home. Here, you’ll discover Rebe’s refined womenswear alongside heirloom jewels by Partridge, collectible art, sculptural furniture, fragrance, and beauty — every detail considered, every element telling a story of contemporary New Zealand luxury.
Programming unfolds through layered moments. A live campaign shoot will unfold in place of a traditional runway, an intimate dinner hosts friends of the brand, and trunk show appointments are available for those wanting to shop the collections firsthand. With its curated blend of fashion, design, and art, The Apartment offers an entirely new way to experience Rebe, grounded in the idea that true luxury is as much about how you live as what you wear.
Harris Tapper
When & Where: Offsite, Tuesday 26th August
Harris Tapper is set for a defining moment this August, making its long-awaited debut at New Zealand Fashion Week. Known for its modern tailoring, quiet restraint, and thoughtful approach to design, the brand has spent the past seven years building a loyal following both here and offshore. Now, its first NZFW presentation marks a shift for Harris Tapper, marking a moment of recognition for one of Aotearoa’s most influential labels.
Rather than a high-octane runway, Harris Tapper will present in the intimacy of Blue, echoing the elegance of 1960s couture salons. Guests can expect a presentation that speaks directly to the brand’s ethos and the women they design for — refined, intelligent, and quietly powerful.
For founders Lauren Tapper and Sarah Harris Gould, this debut is a statement of maturity, momentum, and a distinctly New Zealand perspective on global luxury. It’s both a celebration of how far Harris Tapper has come, and the beginning of all that’s yet to unfold.
Show is by invitation only and available to watch via livestream.
Claudia Li
When & Where: Shed 10, Wednesday 27th August
Claudia Li makes her long-awaited return to the runway this August with her NZFW debut — and her first show in three years. Titled A Different Place and Time, the show marks a new chapter for the designer, rooted in the brand’s signature sculptural silhouettes and emotional storytelling, while quietly evolving toward a more intentional, reflective vision.
Founded in New York in 2015, Claudia Li has long been a highlight of NYFW, known for its bold forms, painterly use of colour, and whimsical sensibility. Her work has graced the Met’s In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and been worn by cultural icons from Michelle Obama to Lady Gaga, cementing her as a designer with both global reach and deeply personal resonance.
Now splitting her time between New York and Aotearoa, Li brings her world home with a show that feels both international and intimate — a moment that situates her practice within a new creative landscape while staying true to the poetic spirit that defines her brand.
Rory William Docherty
When & Where: Britomart, Monday 25th — Saturday 30th August
Rory William Docherty brings his distinctive vision to NZFW 2025 with a creative installation in the heart of Britomart. Known for merging the poetic with the practical, Docherty’s work transcends seasons and trends, blending fluid forms, original hand-drawn prints, and time-honoured craftsmanship into garments that feel both familiar and aspirational.
This installation offers a window into his process, where sketches become sculptural textiles and genderless, seasonless pieces are crafted from silks, Italian wools, Japanese suiting, and more. The result is thoughtful, enduring, and deeply expressive clothing, designed for true individuals.
Open to the public from Monday to Saturday.
Yu Mei
When & Where: Offsite, Tuesday 26th August
This NZFW, Yu Mei steps off the runway and into conversation with Matters of Material — a live discussion on the power of provenance in design. Founder Jessie Wong will be joined by Dahlia Ghani and Isaac Te Awa in a conversation moderated by Australian Fashion Editor & Commentator, Jonah Waterhouse, which explores how material choices shape culture, craft, and sustainability, set against the backdrop of Yu Mei’s new Leather ’25 collection.
Known for its utilitarian leather goods and commitment to regenerative design, Yu Mei has built an international following for bags that balance practicality with understated luxury. At the heart of it all is South Island Deer Nappa, prized for its softness, strength, and circular origins — a material that speaks to the brand’s belief in responsibility as much as refinement.
Sonnie
When & Where: Shed 10, Saturday 30th August
Covetable kids’ label Sonnie is bringing a whole new kind of energy to New Zealand Fashion Week 2025 with a debut that is set to redefine the runway. Teaming up with youth dance company Neverland Studios, the Auckland-based childrenswear brand will transform Shed 10 into a stage buzzing with the vibrant energy the label has become known for.
Dancers aged three to eleven will showcase Sonnie’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection through a series of vignettes capturing the spirit of everyday Kiwi kids — clothes designed for real life, brought to life in motion. Known for its focus on organic fabrics, longevity, and pared-back yet aspirational design, Sonnie’s ethos of quality with attitude is set to come to life at this one-of-a-kind showcase.
