New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) owner Feroz Ali has assembled a governing board to oversee a new direction for the fashion event.
As this iconic event heads into its 21st year, the new board will ensure that the 2025 format is relevant, more inclusive and elastic, aligning with major international fashion weeks.
Ali, who splits his time between Canada and New Zealand, said the appointment of a strategic board in New Zealand will allow industry experts with decades of experience to drive the event forward with renewed energy.
Newer formats can also allow greater public access and a wider range of online and real-life activations.
“New Zealand Fashion Week requires a collective group of people bringing their expertise not just in executing the event but to vision and plan the event for the future,” said Ali.
“A new format will help provide opportunities for consumers and aspiring designers; it’s something cool Liam (Taylor) and the team are working on.”
Board director Taylor also looked forward to designing an event catering to a broader range of fashion, beauty, and design partners than in previous years and was confident about bringing the event into a new era.
One of the key priorities for Ali and the board will be getting more eyes on the designers’ offerings and making them more festive and accessible through a “less is more” approach.
Ali addressed specific challenges that the country’s fashion industry has been facing. These included the difficulty in increasing brand awareness and reach as well as driving sales and traffic.
“Like other businesses, designers rely on sales and reaching other markets, and that’s what NZFW aims to do.”
With NZFW 2025 confirmed for Shed 10, Ali hoped it would stand out from previous years.
“Who says we will only be showing at Shed 10?”
Joining Ali and Taylor on the board will be Natalie Xenita, the ex-vice president and managing director of IMG Fashion Events and Properties Asia Pacific, alongside leading creative and fashion director Dan Ahwa, a New Zealand fashion industry veteran, as well as senior PR and marketing specialist Murray Bevan, director and founder of Showroom 22.
NZFW 2025 will be held from the 25th to the 30th of August 2025.
