A community-leased facility will house Māori fashion designer Kiri Nathan, as well as be a creative hub for Māori and indigenous fashion designers.
Situated in the heart of Glen Innes in Auckland, Nathan's iwi of Ngāti Pāoa welcomed esteemed guests, which included the Kīngitanga and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - who's worn Nathan's designs several times, most recently at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
"It's wonderful to have a space that is fit for purpose to support not only our small business, but so many other small Māori businesses. Mainly those businesses that are emerging and established Māori fashion designers," Nathan said.
"I'm so grateful."
Since 2010, Nathan has upheld Māori artistry in her designs, gifting pounamu and korowai to prominent figures that include former United States President Barack Obama, Beyonce, and Meghan Markle.
Last year, she was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs.
