By Delilah Gow
Āhua is more than a typical fashion week—it’s a movement. It's sticky-floor carpark basements turned runways, it's spotlight beams slicing through fog, it’s a gritty playground for underground style, and most of all it’s a stitched-together, sweat-and-sequins community rooted in culture and courage.
@delilah_gow
This year, I had the privilege of not only photographing the shows but also modeling for three designers—switching between camera and catwalk. I also styled my own daily looks to align with each show’s vibe, because of course it was the perfect excuse to plan some funky outfits as well as celebrate the energy of what we were all building together.
The runways featured multiple locations - I shot in a grungy, dimly lit alleyway, on the rooftop, a tattoo parlour, a convenience store, and a fire escape—spaces reimagined into portals of transformation. The “OUT OF SERVICE” show I shot in a basement carpark. The model’s makeup was striking and paired well with the edgy designer’s garments. Fluorescent lights, sweat-slick skin, and fashion that looked like it came from a cyberpunk dream.
@delilah.images
@delilah.images
Modeling at Āhua felt nothing like the stiff, glossy runway standards we’re used to. It was alive. Personal. Sometimes messy. Always intentional. You weren’t just wearing a designer’s look—you were part of their narrative. This is one of the looks I wore for Giula Zigliani - I felt like I was an elf straight out of a Lord of the Rings movie. Her collection depicted her journey from fear to self-acceptance - this was the final look in her collection, representing the “free human spirit, welcoming the evolving arc of self-expression.”
@jon0.ong
@ryanpatrickphotography
So many of the designers played with contrast: raw edges paired with silky fabrics, light cutting across latex and mesh. There were moments I had to remind myself to press the shutter because I was caught up in the atmosphere. I was blown away by the Fringes x Anthurium “IN ABOVE OUR HEADS” show. It felt cinematic and surreal. The models felt like characters in their own world.
@delilah.images
@delilah.images
Between shows, I captured soft light portraits on fire escapes, candid shots backstage, dancers in motion - and the quiet moments creatives share when they’re breathing between performances. These moments are just as powerful as the main event—they remind us why we show up.
@delilah.images
@delilah.images
@delilah.images
Āhua is raw, wild, and filled with soul. It’s fashion that speaks from whenua. It’s about taking up space—and making it your own. Whether I was walking, shooting, or just soaking it in, this week reminded me of what fashion can be when it's untethered from rules, electrified and brought to life by the community.
@delilah.images
You can find more of my images at @delilah.images. Outfit breakdowns and more behind the scenes can be found on my main Instagram account @delilah_gow AND TikTok @heytheredelilah.nz.
If you ever get the chance to be part of Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa—do it. Āhua is planning another show in August so be sure to watch their space!
