NZ Fashion Week – My week at Shed 10

NZFW 2026 ran from 17-22 August, back at Shed 10 on Auckland's waterfront, and this year it came with real momentum behind it - government event funding, a packed schedule, and a genuine sense that this was the one to be at.

Day one felt surreal, even watching a lot of it unfold from home - there's something about seeing it all happen in real time that pulls you in regardless of whether you're actually in the room. The energy was obvious even from my screen … genuinely exciting from the first minute.

The Sopha Dopha moment
If I'm honest, this was the one I was most excited about attending. Sopha Dopha - the Australian content creator who's basically become fashion week royalty on the interview circuit - was there, and I was not playing it cool about it.

The session itself was a panel, hosted by stylist Sammy Salsa, with close to 200 people in the room to hear Sophia's story first-hand - her journey from student to entrepreneur, and what it actually took to build a career out of content. It's exactly the kind of event NZFW needs more of, because it makes an industry that can feel intimidating from the outside feel a lot more within reach.

Seeing her in real life was surreal! She was so well spoken and answered every question like she'd genuinely thought about it, not just recited an answer she'd given a hundred times before.

One line has stuck with me since - she said "everything happens for a reason", which is something I've always believed too. She also spoke about how close she is with her Mum and how much that relationship means to her, and I felt that one deeply.

What struck me most was that she was exactly what she seems online - down to earth, warm, no performance about it. Authentic.

Sophia's someone I've looked up to in this industry for a while now - I've been watching her content for a long time, so this was a proper fan-girl moment for me. I made a point of being fully present for it, taking in every bit rather than just ticking it off as a photo op. The bit that's stuck with me most is still that quote - everything happens for a reason; because it's something I already carry with me, and hearing her say it out loud, in person, made it land differently.

What I'm bringing home
Every fashion week sends you home with a few ideas worth stealing, and this year was no different.  Tassels and movement were everywhere!

If there's one thing NZFW reminds you, it's that getting dressed is a form of self-expression - and there's real confidence in wearing something that actually says something about you.
If you want to try the trend without committing to a wardrobe overhaul, our (hand made, made to order) Deconduarte Sequin Floret Gown in Lemon is exactly the kind of colour statement I mean - bold, but wearable. And if movement is more your thing, our just-landed Peppermayo maxis have that covered too.

Fashion week is always a good reminder that getting dressed up is meant to be fun, not stressful - and that applies just as much to a week in Auckland as it does to any one event.

Spring is here and winter's done!  Our What's New and Girls Night Out collections are exactly where I'd start if any of this has got you wanting to try something bolder.

Choose it. Wear it. Return it. Easy!