BIOGRAPHY
High Fashion designer Kharl WiRepa is of Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Arawa, and Tainui descent.
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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.
Attending private school in his early years, he began his career as a stylist and worked in business retail for 7 years before studying fashion. Kharl formally trained in Fashion and Textiles at Waiariki institute of technology.
WiRepa has also worked in the beauty pageant and entertainment industries.
Proudly Made In
AOTEAROA
Strictly made in Aotearoa. Kharl WiRepa is one of a small handful of designers that still manufacture in New Zealand.
Staunch on keeping quality and standards at a premium, the label believes in nurturing and growing NZ economy instead of using off shore factories.
Advocating for true Maori Fashion and NZ design.
Many labels use overseas suppliers for the benefits of commercial profits and cheaper operational costs. However Mr WiRepa maintains higher standards,
exquisite quality, and unique design.
THE KING
Of Glamour
The Kharl WiRepa client list consists of beauty queens, politicians, celebrities, and royalty.
The brand specialises in red carpet styles, racewear, bridal couture, and power dressing.
Exclusive and glamorous. The limited couture ranges are scarcely available.
The Design
PROCESS
Each garment is exclusively designed for the client or purpose of an event or season.
The design process starts with a consultation meeting. This leads on to sketches and the fabric selection
processes.
Kharl WiRepa provides glamorous solutions for women of all ages and sizes. Carefully created to maximise and enhance the natural beauty of the wearer.
This sketch is part of of the KW 2021 Matariki Collection for the Ohomairangi Show hosted in Waikato Tainui.
HE TANGATA, HE TANGATA, HE TANGATA
Kharl WiRepa is a philanthropist and activist. In 2017 he was awarded a Kiwibank Community Hero Award Medal for his services in fashion and in the community.
The designer established the Miss Rotorua Foundation that has gifted over $135,000.00 since 2017 to charity groups fighting social
issues, alongside operating a female empowerment program.
He has launched the careers of many Maori models and fashion designers. He is currently the Chair of the Ohomairangi Foundation
which helps nurture and grow Pacific Artists in particular fashion.
His company has raised thousands of dollars for community groups such as Hospice, SPCA, The Maori Wardens, Breast Cancer Trust Rotorua, Parkinsons New Zealand and more