Aroha goes for fashion double | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

It's all go for Rotorua's Aroha Tapsell this weekend as she seeks her big break in the fashion world.

Knowing the importance of getting her name out there, the second-year Waiariki Institute of Technology fashion student is juggling the demands of the often-hectic industry, with garments entered in two fashion shows this Queen's Birthday weekend.

In a period of 48 hours, Ms Tapsell will show in Wellington then travel to Oamaru. She was chosen as a finalist in the Miromoda-Indigenous Maori Fashion Apparel Board's annual fashion design competition in Wellington, and will also show at the Steampunk Fashion Show and Gala in Oamaru.

She's submitted a three-piece collection into the Emerging Category for the Wellington show and a Victorian-styled garment in Oamaru's Steampunk Fashion Show and Gala, which has "Tomorrow as it used to be" as its theme.

Ms Tapsell has entered just one show before but knows what she wants to achieve.

"I want to win ... The ultimate achievement for a fashion designer is to win a fashion show."

The mother of three has a personal connection to the Oamaru show theme.

"I love the clothing that was produced during those Victorian times, they had it so hard ... but dressed beautifully. There are touches of me in my garment, even though I'm not into dresses."

The Victorian Dial dress will be complemented with a tailcoat jacket - the first garment she ever made.

Ms Tapsell is inspired by Kiwi fashion icons like Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and top fashion label WORLD.

"New Zealand fashion leaders are highly respected globally. We live in an isolated country, so we produce things that are really unique."

Ms Tapsell decided to study fashion design because it offered her knowledge she needed to help with her long-term goal to become a shoe designer.

"I had a business plan in place, but there were gaps in it. The diploma filled those gaps."

She said the diploma had also opened up global opportunities.

"I've been given access to international networks and fashion programmes where one day I can have my things made abroad."

When this weekend's shows are over, Ms Tapsell will focus on her end-of-year fashion show with fellow Waiariki students before heading off on her exciting new career path.