After studying wearable art throughout high school and finishing in the top 5% in the country,  I left it behind for a career in the jewellery industry. I became a qualified diamond grader in 1995 through the Gemology Institute of America and worked in the industry for 11 years. And as things usually go around in circles, I then found myself back among the creative world and I managed an art gallery which I did for 15 years. 2020 was full of change for me, I sewed full time and learnt the art of curtain making for a boutique curtain company, as well as starting my online costume making supplies store RazzleDazzle.

 

In 2001 my sister Sarah-Jane asked me to design and hand paint her wedding gown which re-sparked my passion for wearable art. I have no formal training, just some help along the way from my clever Mamma and my uber creative Grandmother whom has now passed. And of course Google is always great when you have forgotten how to put a zip in.

 

I have been selected as a finalist  times in the World of Wearable Art (WoW) awards in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, 2014, 2017, 2021 and 2022. This is a tough competition with over 400 entries coming in from all around the world and only approx 100-130 being selected to compete. The shows are held over 2 weeks and sells 50,000 tickets each year. I am still remembered for my “5 cent dress” that I made in 2007 which is made from over 2600 five cent pieces.

 

In 2009 and 2010 I was selected as a finalist in the Style Pasifika New Zealand Fashion Awards, this attracts approx. 400 entries from around Australasia with around 90 finalists selected. I was a category winner in the Pasifika Hero section in 2009. I have also been a finalist in the Oversew Fashion Awards and I won the Tarnished Frocks and Divas Open Designer Award in 2015.

 

Over the last 8 years I fell into a new journey as a National Costume designer. It combines my love of all things New Zealand mixed in with some glitz, sparkle and glam. This has taken my costumes all around the world worn by various Miss New Zealand representatives, it has brought me a Best in National Costume award at Miss Cosmopolitan World in Kuala Lumper 2015 and Best in National Costume at Miss World New Zealand in 2017, 2018 and 2019. My National Costume collection is now owned by The Pageant Store here in NZ and I am still commissioned by them for beautiful one-of-a-kind National Costumes.

 

In 2020 I started an online store RazzleDazzle.nz selling rhinestones and costume making supplies to like minded designers, costume makers and dance mum's! which I absolutely love! And when I feel the urge and the creative pull and I can squash in some time into my busy schedule I still love to enter a wearable art competition just for me.