Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa, Tāmaki Makaurau’s ‘underground fashion week’, kicked off on Monday night with the city’s creative community coming out in force for the opening presentation to show their support – and incredible outfits.

Held on Karangahape Road, Auckland’s heart and soul of street fashion, the show featured slow fashion designers including Sleeping Profit, AeraTheLabel, Maxine, Zheyi Ruan, Weiwen, and Kongcore, visuals by filmmaker JJ Farry and the sounds of DJ Cupid.

Photographer Abigail Dell’Avo and Nikirei went along to night one, titled Life Cycles Of A Butterfly, to take in the scene and ask people off the runway about their ensembles (and star signs).

Āhua continues on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights; find all the details and tickets here.

Diana aka DJ Cupid

Star sign: Taurus

Outfit details: “I’m wearing a top by Grace Wei and this little headpiece I’m wearing as a bolero that my friend, Lisa, made it within two weeks. Also, Vivienne Westwood stockings, leg warmers from Melbourne and chunky boots from Windsor Smith.”

Inspiration behind the music she’s playing: “I quite love ambient and industrial music. I really wanted an opportunity to show my range because I usually do rave and a lot of techno, so I really want to do something slower and serene. I got to experiment with a lot of different sounds and blend music with the visualiser by JJ Farry.”

Finn Mora-Hill, Fringes designer

Star sign: Aries

Outfit details: “I’m wearing everything that I made.”

Milan Jeon, designer

Star sign: Cancer

Outfit details: “Most of what I’m wearing is from Korea and a vintage Miu Miu bag.”

Who are they looking forward to tonight: “Siara from Sleeping Profit. And just to see how everyone goes really.”

Ariane Iligan

Star sign: Taurus

Outfit details: “I’m wearing Jenny Ruan’s top – it’s actually a dress, but I’m wearing it as a top today. Some thrifted shorts and Yume Yume boots. And Goldi knitwear made this Palestine flag.”

Inspiration behind her outfit: “Support local designers and Jenny.”

Siriene

Star sign: Leo

Outfit details: “I’m wearing my boyfriend’s shirt, a skirt I thrifted from Central Flea and boots from David Jones.”

Inspiration behind her outfit: “I just wanted to dress cunt.”

Song on repeat: “Hot Uptown by Camila Cabello and Drake.”

Bobbie Angelika

Star sign: Sagittarius 

Outfit details: “I’m wearing a dress that I crocheted.”

Inspiration behind her outfit: “I couldn’t be bothered going through my closet, and being a fashion student, I whipped up something new and made my own dress.”

Who are you most excited about tonight: “So excited to see Rafaella’s designs and to see Zee walk down the runway.”

What’s the most important thing in your purse: “Sephora lip gloss, Fenty lipgloss and Pawpaw and Diesel glasses.”

Favourite artist at the moment: “Kaytramine”

Norman

Outfit details: “I’m wearing a dress made by Kong. And the rest is thrifted.”

Favourite restaurant in Auckland: “Hazy Tiger.”

Artist on repeat: “Don Toliver or A$AP Rocky.”

Zjana Daisy

Star sign: Capricorn

Outfit details: “Honestly, whatever I could find in 10 minutes. I was a little bit unorganised today. Everything is thrifted.”

Inspiration behind her outfit: “I was going for the butterflies and sequins, and purple was on my mind this morning.”

Artist on repeat: “Don Toliver.”

William Fitzgerald

Star sign: Scorpio

Outfit details: “Rick Owens, my own pants and some Jimmy D.”

Inspiration behind his outfit tonight: “I went with black and comfortable.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “Sri Pinang”

What’s one thing in your bag right now: “Vetements raincoat. You can never be too prepared.”

Which designer are you most excited to see tonight: “Jenny Ruan.”

Luke Stonehouse, designer

Outfit details: “I’m wearing a Lela Jacobs skirt, a top I made and a Yohji skirt.”

Inspiration behind their outfit tonight: “Black.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “R.I.P. Peach Pit.”

Which designer are you most excited to see tonight: “Miss Ange Kong.”

What’s one thing in your purse right now: “I have a really fucked up fan. I’m from Wellington, so it’s really hot here for me.”

Hazel Creevey

Star sign: Libra

Outfit details: “I’m wearing everything thrifted.”

Inspiration behind her outfit tonight: “I don’t know…”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “Formally, Cotto, but it’s rebranded to Otto now.”

Which designer are you most excited to see tonight: “Jenny Ruan.”

What’s one thing in your purse right now: “I found this ring the other day.”

Sophie Matthews

Star sign: Capricorn

Outfit details: “I’m wearing Kate Sylvester.”

Inspiration behind her outfit tonight: “I wanted to wear something shiny and puffy.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “I really love Pici.”

Which designer are you most excited to see tonight: “I'm really excited to see Aera.”

What’s one thing in your purse right now: “I’ve got some vape packets in here.”

Katniss, Āhua model

Star sign: Libra

Outfit details: “Karlaidlaw jumper, sweatpants and some I don’t know where these are from but some pointy boots that I wore on the show. And a bag that my friend gifted me.”

What’s the most important thing in her purse: “My birth control that I took half an hour late because the show was still going.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “Probably Pici. I love the vibes. Very simple hearty pasta and some good wine with some good company is all you need.”

Stacy Chachki

Star sign: Taurus sun and Virgo rising

Outfit details: “I’m wearing Kongcore. Ange made this about half a year ago. I’ve always been obsessed with her clothes. I’ve worked with her a couple of times, and I really like her style.”

Which designers are you most looking forward to tonight: “Ange (Kongcore) is one of the two. I’m also looking forward to Nana (Aera).”

What’s the most important thing in your purse: “My mints. Gotta keep it fresh.”

Jude

Outfit details: “I made this shirt. The pants are from the op shop that I altered to make them look like hooves, and I got the Tabis and a fuckass jacket”

What’s the most important item in your pocket right now: “My menthol ice vape.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “I don’t eat on K Rd.”

Lola Elle Bellamy-Hill

Star sign: Leo

Outfit details: “I’m wearing a Sophie sweater by Knitwrth, a Chicago-based brand. Blair the bear by Oscar wool. A skirt I thrifted.”

What’s the most important item in your purse right now: “My polaroid camera.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “Coco’s Cantina and Pici – those are my divas. Always bring first dates there. Gorilla Kitchen and Ziggle too.”

Claire Cecilia

Star sign: Cancer

Outfit details: “I’m wearing thrifted Roberto Cavalli pants, Margiela tabis, Ann Demeulemeester shrug/hood situation and a top my boyfriend made. And a Marisol bag.”

What’s the most important item in your purse right now: “My cigarettes”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “I really like the Little Turkish Cafe.”

Favourite designer tonight: “Kongcore.”

Adam Banoori

Star sign: Aries

Outfit details: “I’m wearing an Ann Demeulemeester dress. The skirt and pants I got from Recycle Boutique.”

What’s the most important item in your purse right now: “My vape.”

Favourite K Rd restaurant: “Butter Chicken Factory (sometimes) after a night out.”

Favourite designer tonight: “Kongcore and, of course Aera was so beautiful”

Lee (Alyssum), Āhua model

Star sign: Virgo

Outfit details: “I’m wearing a Kawasaki Monster jacket and a belt for my book.”

How do you feel after walking the show: “Exhilarating.”

Tell us about your book: “The book is the most important thing. Everywhere I go, I need to read to clear my mind. I read aloud, and I hear my own voice, and that grounds me.”