Three Bay of Plenty fashion designers have been recognised at the Miromoda fashion design competition and have an opportunity to showcase their works at New Zealand Fashion Week in August.

In the established category, Glen Maclachlan of Tauranga and Taongahuia Maxwell of Rotorua were listed as winners, as well as Paulette Teatai-Ariki from Rotorua in the Avante Garde category.

Last weekend, the judging panel led by Dame Pieter Stewart, Adrian Hailwood and Radio New Zealand presenter Sonia Sly selected 12 designers from the established, emerging and avante-garde categories to feature in the 10^th Miromoda showcase at fashion week.

The number of designers selected is four more than the usual eight, however Miromoda co-founder Ata Te Kanawa says logistically, it poses more challenges.

'But things were always going to be bigger and brighter in our 10^th anniversary year.”

Two days prior to the Miromoda showcase, a sneak peek event is being held at the Air New Zealand hub at Fanshawe Street in Aucklamd.

Ata says the sneak peek gives the audience insight of design concepts which often draws on cultural elements.

'It is something we picked up from the judges as having huge value; they have always been privy to hearing rich stories that are then cleverly implemented in fashion design, so we thought why not share that,” Ata says.

The 2019 overall winner Nash Karaitiana entered the emerging category, however she is already experienced in graphic design having worked with trans-tasman label Salasai.

Nash's winning collection gives a nod to nostalgia where she says, 'everything was loose fitting, colourful and baggy.”

Addressing the alarming impact clothes and fashion has on the environment, Massey University student Briah Zeitoun is presenting a collection of garments that can be transformed into different styles for different purposes or situations.

Streetwear, Avant-garde and accessory designer Nichola Te Kiri took inspiration from a recent visit to China with a collection that is reflective of Taniwha meets dragon.

Also adding to the fusing of international and local cultures, emerging designer, Mitchell Manuel has combined his Maori cultural print knowledge, expertise and influence with a palate from his wife's Uruguay background.

Miromoda is an indigenous Maori fashion apparel board which was formed in 2008 and debuted at NZ Fashion week in 2009.