The challenges and opportunities facing the NZ fashion industry
About this episode
New Zealand fashion has had a shake-up in recent years – with both well-known and home-grown brands shutting up shop.
Kate Sylvester will shut their doors this year after 31 years of trade – and newer labels, Mina, Hej hej, and Nisa have all ended production.
The struggles are perhaps best epitomised by New Zealand fashion week, which cancelled its 2024 season after cancellations in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
And the issues show no sign of stopping, with global trade wars highlighting how many designers manufacture their goods in China, Vietnam and Cambodia – all hit hard by tariffs.
Today on The Front Page, to discuss the state of the industry, we’re joined by Viva’s departing fashion and creative director, Dan Ahwa.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Front Page publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Front Page
Are we buying the wrong cars in the fuel crisis EV boom?
The Front Page
How illicit tobacco quietly grew to a quarter of all cigarettes sold here
The Front Page
Why Trump’s Iran blockade could backfire at sea
The Front Page
Inside the push to fix Luxon’s media image
The Front Page