Photos by Jono Ong
Model Natalie K wearing a Jacqueline Anne dress and some of the stunning jewellery from the Layla Kaisi Collection.
Designer Jacqueline Roper of Jacqueline-Anne has collaborated with Luxury fine jewellery artisan
Layla Kaisi of Layla Kaisi Collection to create the most expensive and definitely sustainable
ensemble to grace the catwalk of New Zealand Fashion Week.
This year at New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria; Maori haute-couture designer Jacqueline Roper
brought her lavish designs to the runway in a jaw-dropping show: Hine-nui-te-pō, or “Great Woman Of
Night”. In Māori legends, she is a goddess of night and receives the spirits of humans when they die.
It is believed that the colour red in the sky comes from her. Hine-nui-te-pō shepherds the wairua/souls
into the first level of Rarohenga to ready them for the next stage of their journey.
Pulling from her traditional Maori roots hailing from the Te Ātiawa iwi in Taranaki, the designer wanted
to present a collection that championed the strength of women, especially indigenous.
“ I wanted to show strong women. Hine-nui-te-pō is one of my favourite legends. She’s such a
powerful woman and plays a crucial role in both life and death. My Te Ao design elements come from
my Tanikō designs. I have been studying Indigenous Māori art and Raranga (weaving) the last three
years working towards my master’s degree.”
The designer incorporated bursts of modern citrus, reds, blacks and whites with generous Juliet
Sleeves; all while paying homage to Maori weaving by creating stunning tailored suit patterns.
The uniquely exquisite creations of Layla Kaisi Collection was a no brainer of a collaboration
" I'm incredibly particular with partnering," says Roper, "It's so important to stay true to one’s ethics
when collaborating. That’s why when the opportunity to bring Layla on board arose, we jumped on it.
She’s such a talented designer in her own right, and what she has managed to achieve while still
staying sustainable is amazing”.
Layla Kaisi is a boutique fine jewellery designer based in Auckland and turning heads globally, she
has a growing reputation of mindfully storytelling through her craft and maintains a focus on only
sourcing unique and ethical diamonds. The young entrepreneur has even made Forbes!
The final model took the stage wearing an outfit consisting of a long skirt in custom Tanikō inspired
sequin fabric and an ostrich feather top, which had close to 200+ hand cut ostrich feathers adorned
to it. To finish this look, three Layla Kaisi bespoke pieces were added: two stunning one of a kind
rings; Establish - A Yellow Cut Diamond Ring design Featuring a GIA certified Fancy Light Yellow
pear cut diamond and Duality - a Toi et Moi Diamond Ring Featuring rare modified pear cut white and
cognac diamonds. Both toted as pieces made with materials so scarce and unusual, only one was
crafted. To finish this phenomenal look, yet to be publicly released, Motal- diamond drop earrings set,
created in platinum with a fluid cascade of precision cut white diamonds graced the model’s ears.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 29: A model walks the runway during the Jacqueline Anne show during New Zealand Fashion Week 23: Kahuria at Viaduct Events Centre on August 29, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for NZFW)
Pictured below: Establish - A Yellow Cut Diamond Ring design Featuring a GIA certified Fancy Light Yellow
pear cut diamond and Duality - a Toi et Moi Diamond Ring Featuring rare modified pear cut white and
cognac diamonds. Both available via the Layla Kaisi website.
This seamless collaboration resulted in this singular look on this runway rumoured to be the most expensive and valuable to ever glide the floors of NZFW history with the staggering total to be over $125,000.
Truly making this the most opulent ensemble at New Zealand Fashion Week.
https://jacqueline-anne.com
https://laylakaisicollection.co.nz
