Dramatic, theatrical, & fierce individual style.
With a very distinct aesthetic ~ Kharl WiRepa Fashion oozes glamour, sensuality and IS the ultimate STATEMENT OF sophistication.
From a very young age, and humble beginnings - what began as a passion for fabrics, textiles, and clothing quickly turned into a lifelong love of fashion. Kharl WiRepa worked his way into the industry as a stylist and retail assistant for 7 years before formally studying Fashion and Textiles at Waiariki institute of technology.
Fast forward to now, and the growth and reach of Kharl WiRepa Fashion is formidable.
The Kharl WiRepa woman is one who appreciates and embodies class, fine culture and eternal style. When adorning one of his unique creations, she is always the most beautiful woman in the room.
Built on a foundation of
classic design lines,
thoughtfully intermixed with modern silhouettes, vibrant colours, rich textures, impeccable tailoring and
exquisite embellishments...
Kharl WiRepa Fashion delivers nothing but
Opulent Luxury.
Kharl Wirepa
High Fashion Designer, Artistic Visionary, PHILANTHROPIST, Storyteller...
High Fashion designer Kharl WiRepa is of Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Arawa, and Tainui descent.
He has also has whakapapa ties to Te Whakatohea, Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu, and Ngati Hako, along with French and British ancestry.
Elevating the expectations of Maori achievement, expanding the opportunities for indigenous fashion in ways that have not been available before, and contributing to the Maori world of art by creating new platforms for New
Zealand Fashion are values that drive KW Fashion.
THE FIRST MAORI
IN VOGUE
Kharl WiRepa is an Award winning designer.
In 2014 he won the supreme award at the Miromoda Fashion competition, and had his first runway show at the prestigious New Zealand Fashion Week.
In 2015, Kharl showed again at New Zealand Fashion Week in the “New Generation Showcase”. Later that year, he was ranked No.17 on the list of TOP 25 Most Influential New Zealanders under 25 by Media Works' ~ The Edge.
2015 was also the year that Kharl established the Ohomairangi Foundation, which is responsible for nurturing fashion and Art within Polynesia.
Another milestone for the Maori designer came in 2016. Kharl WiRepa presented his range to the Royal Families of Pasifika for Kiingi Tuheitia at the 10th celebration of Koroneihana in Waikato Tainui. He had his third New Zealand Fashion Week showcase, with his collection bein the most coveted in Aotearoa, and the label gained an endorsement by Maserati.
In 2017, history was made when Kharl WiRepa was featured in British Vogue’s September issue (featured above). As the first Maori to grace the pages of the renowned magazine, the brand would feature in the following 2 issues for October and November. 2017 also saw the re-establishment of the historical Maori Beauty Pageant ~ Miss Rotorua.
2022 has once again seen Kharl and the Miss Rotorua pageant in the media, with the hugely successful launch of Gowns and Geysers streaming on TVNZ to audiences across New Zealand. From their website ~ "Go behind the velvet curtain of the Miss Rotorua beauty pageant as 25 contestants go through 12 weeks of fierce and drama-filled training with self-styled King of Glam Kharl Wirepa. Made with the support of NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho."
The rest, as they say, is history. Kharl continues to design, produce, and work on a range of projects and platforms across the globe.
Kharl WiRepa has featured on many media platforms through the year, CLICK HERE to learn more.
ELEGANCE, SOPHISTICATION...
Class
Elegance and sophistication are key components that attribute to the ethos of Kharl WiRepa Fashion.
The lifestyle brand is focused on delivering a vision of excellence.
