New Zealand Fashion Week has announced a packed three-day schedule for its first-ever Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival (CSFF).
This will be the first year of a three-year partnership between New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) and ChristchurchNZ, which will feature a dual-host format.
Christchurch’s edition will take place in November each year as part of On Show, the city’s spring visitation and events campaign, complementing Auckland’s annual August event.
“2025 has been a watershed year for New Zealand Fashion Week, with a remarkable Auckland event in August under the guidance of a new team and inside a new venue, and now our very first Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival," said NZFW owner Feroz Ali.
"Partnering with ChristchurchNZ, who champion one of New Zealand’s most creative regions, is such a privilege for the NZFW brand. Our aim is that this event, for our local designers, customers, media, partners and sponsors, is the first of many successful moments that celebrate New Zealand fashion across the country.”
An Iconic Moment
Kicking off the CSFF 2025 in truly iconic style, hosted at Christchurch’s fabled James Hay Theatre inside the Christchurch Town Hall, THE ICONIC will present The New Guard, the brand will unveil its newest collections from exclusive designers LOVER & minima esenciales, followed by a curated edit of New Zealand’s next generation of fashion designers.
Styled by New Zealand Fashion Week Creative Director, Dan Ahwa, guests will be treated to spring looks from some of New Zealand’s most exciting designers, including Harris Tapper, Claudia Li, Wynn Hamlyn, Adrion Atelier, Caitlin Crisp, Rebe, Rory Docherty, and more.
“We are thrilled to be bringing THE ICONIC to Ōtautahi for the inaugural Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival. Christchurch has a vibrant creative community and we are proud to be showcasing our exclusive own brands alongside talented New Zealand designers," said Gayle Burchell, Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer at THE ICONIC.
"Our partnership with NZFW reflects our commitment to championing New Zealand design talent, and we look forward to bringing the next generation of fashion to our Christchurch customers and celebrating local design.”
Celebrating Caitlin Crisp
As the only solo designer runway event at the CSFF 2025, NZFW has secured a one-off show by renowned Christchurch-born designer Caitlin Crisp.
Hosting a 400+ person show at the James Hay Theatre on the afternoon of Saturday, the 8th of November, Crisp will debut her Resort 2025 collection, in collaboration with BONNIE, who will bring a glowing layer of beauty to the runway with its cult-favourite, New Zealand-made gradual tanning and body care range.
As one of the most exciting designers in New Zealand’s new wave, the show will be sure to leave a lasting impression on fashion fans, young and old, with her collection that is nautical by nature, feminine by design, and made for golden days by the sea.
The George Presents The Spring Edit, curated by NZ Fashion Week
The Saturday night runway show will be the ultimate celebration of New Zealand fashion, showcasing the most coveted in-season looks from leading designers including Juliette Hogan, Kathryn Wilson, Karen Walker, Ruby, Kowtow, Knuefermann, twenty-seven names and more.
Curated by NZ Fashion Week’s Creative Director, Dan Ahwa, The George presents The Spring Edit, combining high-energy runway excitement with each designer personally selecting their standout pieces of the season, giving audiences a unique, handpicked fashion edit of the looks of the moment.
NZFW also announced The George as the Official Hotel Partner and Presenting Partner for The Spring Edit show at the Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival 2025.
As one of the city’s iconic boutique hotels, it embodies the sophistication, warmth, and world-class hospitality for which Christchurch is celebrated. Together, it spotlighted local talent, creativity, and community by celebrating the very best of Ōtautahi as we bring the spirit of New Zealand Fashion Week to the South Island for the first time.
Festival Flair Across Christchurch
To support the CSFF’s major fashion shows held at James Hay Theatre, the schedule will also come to life across Christchurch with panel talks, designer moments and stylist workshops:
- Beyond the Runway
Following the success of the Beyond the Runway speaker series, which debuted at New Zealand Fashion 2025, the conversation will continue in Christchurch with Beyond the Runway: From Runway to Real Life.
This intimate event will see NZFW Creative Director, Dan Ahwa, in conversation with stylist Leigh-Anne Rheeder, exploring the evolution of New Zealand Fashion Week - from its creative vision to what’s shaping the next era of local style.
The discussion will be followed by a live styling masterclass on translating the season’s trends into timeless, wearable looks, along with a personal shopping experience hosted by Leigh-Anne and Dan at Ballantynes.
- Frame HR & FashionNZ Present ‘Fashion In Focus’
Hosted at Christchurch’s Centre of Contemporary Art on Saturday, the 8th of November, two exclusive panel talks will come to life, featuring some of New Zealand fashion’s most successful leaders and exciting new creatives, CEOs, designers, creative directors, and entrepreneurs such as April Ward, CEO of Glassons, Juliette Hogan, New Zealand Fashion Week creative director and fashion stylist Dan Ahwa, career curator Rachel Smart from Frame HR and and fashion influencer and beauty entrepreneur Mary Outram.
The second talk in the ‘Fashion In Focus’ series is entitled ‘Meet The Creators’. In this special, one-off panel talk, Frame HR and FashioNZ will bring together a modern mix of fashion creators who set the tone for how we see the fashion world shaping up today like fashion stylist Sammy Salsa, author and model Kaarina Parker, and others.
Designer Hosted Events
- Shadow by Taylor: Taylor will launch a bespoke, New Zealand-crafted, limited edition signature scent in a unique experience as part of the CSFF.
- Meet the Designers: Vicki Taylor and Adrian Williams will showcase the first release of Adrion Atelier’s new capsule collection, for the first time ever available in Christchurch.
- I Made My Coat a Mountain: A parade of clothing in the port - this group show will see presentations from Lela Jacobs, Evan Beijaen, F.B.P.D, PAGE JENSEN, Stephen parks aka 6x4, Being Clothes.
ChristchurchNZ Head of Major Events Karena Finnie added the realisation of the CSFF event was a remarkable milestone for the city, and exciting news for Christchurch’s strong community of fashion fans and designers.
Tickets for all major events as part of the Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival 2025 are now available.
