New Zealand Fashion Week is back after a three-year Covid hiatus with this year's event focusing on sustainability and diversity.
Fashion lovers have also been able to attend more shows than ever this year, with organisers keen to change it from an industry-only event to one that is accessible for all.
It is the event of the year in the fashion world for designers new and old, local and international, to launch their designs.
More than 25,000 people were estimated to have attended the fashion shows at the Viaduct Event Centre on Auckland's waterfront.
General manager Yasmin Farry said it was a relief to be back after three years of uncertainty.
"It feels amazing and I have to say that the energy this week has been absolutely incredible.
"We've had thousands of people through the doors, it's really, really high energy ... we're very happy."
A New Zealand Fashion Week model Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
Farry said this year they tried to make the events more inclusive of the general public this year.
Honouring te ao Māori was another key focus this year, and on Tuesday, Kiri Nathan became the first Māori designer to open the show.
Farry said it set the tone for the whole week: "really setting the benchmark not only because she's a Māori designer, but she's an amazing designer."
More than 700 people are involved in fashion week to hold 30 shows, including 300 volunteers, 100 backstage staff in charge of hair, makeup and photography, 200 models, and 70 designers.
This year, 80 of those volunteers are Ministry of Social Development (MSD) clients gaining work experience for future employment.
MSD account manager Nicola Anderson said the opportunity for volunteers to rub shoulders with some of the best in the business was amazing.
"People are buzzing, like they could not be more delighted about the designers that they've seen, the experience they've had, all of the things that they've learned."
NZ Fashion Week's Sustainable Fashion Fridays coordinator Anya Vita Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
Fashion Week had committed to evolving over the next five years to support a sustainable fashion ecosystem. Farry said there was still a lot of learning to be done by the industry and consumers.
The event had also partnered with Auckland business association Heart of the City to create Sustainable Fashion Friday - an offsite event at the Ellen Melville Centre community hub where people could shop for second-hand ethical brands as well as upcycle, repair and donate clothing.
NZ Fashion Week Sustainable Fashion Fridays coordinator Anya Vitali said it was a step in the right direction.
One of the most popular services was the upcycling workshop, with advice available from designers.
"I think people think 'oh I might chuck that out', but if you repurposed it in a different way, that's a different way of using it."
Fashion Week runs until late on Saturday.
