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 Gemmology Institute of America and worked in the industry for 11 years. But as things usually go around in circles, I am now surrounded by creativity everyday and have been managing Pohutukawa Gallery in Mount Maunganui since it opened in 2004.

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 6 times in the World of Wearable Art (WoW) awards in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, 2014 and 2017. 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.

However in the last few years I feel as though I have found my vocation 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 and 2018.

I now hire out my National Costumes to girls competing within New Zealand and Internationally and am building my hire collection constantly.