Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival: What’s On and What We’re Looking Forward To
Christchurch once laid claim to the title of New Zealand’s fashion capital, and it was here that Fashion Quarterly was founded. This week, in its second year, the Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival is making a case for a return to form. From 15 to 18 October, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and venues across the city play host to runway shows, pop-ups and conversation, all anchored by a programme that gives local talent room to shine.
As a Christchurch-based business, we are delighted to see the city come alive around fashion, and to see the local industry backed with this level of ambition. Here is how the four days unfold.
Thursday 15 October
The festival opened with an invitation-only evening at 5PM, followed by the Superette x Herbert launch at Superette Merivale at 6PM. The New Guard took the runway at Te Pae at 7PM, and Avenues After Dark closed the night from 8:30PM, also by invitation.
Friday 16 October
Friday begins in conversation with VIVA presents Behind The Edit at Westfield Riccarton at 1PM. At 5PM, the GRIT Pop-Up Opening Event gets under way in Lyttelton, before Fashion for a Cure takes over Te Pae at 6PM.
Saturday 17 October
Saturday is the festival’s busiest day. It opens at 10AM with Metropol presents Fashion Forward: The Next Generation in Conversation at Bar Franco, followed by In Motion: 100 Years of Sporting Unity between NZ and India at Te Pae at 1PM . At 2PM, The Keep presents COLLAR at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora. The evening belongs to The Spring Edit: Vol 1 at 6PM which has sold out, and Vol 2 at 8PM, both at Te Pae.
Sunday 18 October
The festival concludes with the Avenues presents Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival Finale at Miro Restaurant, 1PM.
What we’re watching
For us, the standout is The Spring Edit. A curated edit of looks from this year’s NZFW runways, it features collections from Caitlin Crisp, Kathryn Wilson, Juliette Hogan, taylor and more, and it offers a chance to see them in Christchurch. With Vol 1 sold out, Vol 2 is the one to book.
Beyond the runway, we’re drawn to the breadth of the programme. Shows sit alongside talks, a pop-up and a long lunch, which gives the festival the feel of a city-wide event rather than a single moment. It is also a reminder of the depth of creative and commercial talent working in this industry, from designers and production teams to the retail leaders who bring collections to market. These are the people we work with every day.
On that note, we’re preparing to recruit for a Production role in Christchurch. Expressions of interest are open now, so you can hear about it before it’s listed. Get in touch with Rachel or Bindy.
In the meantime, browse our current vacancies or register with us to hear about new roles first.