Gay Auckland designer, make-up artist and DJ extraordinaire James Leuii has found the winning stich once again – he's taken out the Style Pasifika Hero section with a garment called I Heart Tapa Ware.
The design is a play on I Heart NY and of course, Tupperware.
Leuii also won the Pasifika Hero section in 2008 with a piece dedicated to his late much-loved friend Bambi Slut. In 2006, he won the section with a design modelled by Bambi.
It was modelled by the stunning Venus Mantrapp – who has worn the winning garment in the category for three years in a row.
The award was presented, and then accepted on Leuii's behalf at the show at Vector Arena on Friday night, by Buckwheat. The category was sponsored by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.
Leuii says he's always wanted to do something with tapa. "But I wanted to make something other than the usual cloak or big skirt so decided to make something very tailored, clean lines, edgy, directional yet strong, stylish and of course fashion."
"My inspirations come from traditional Polynesia - the tapa combined with futurism -the strong design of the cloth paired with the hard metal zip detailing- architecture which is reflected in the pocket shapes the shoulder details and the hemline -and fluidity with the peplum at the back."
"With that, along with a supermodel, Venus, I was able to achieve a strong, futuristic yet traditional, long, lean, clean, international silhouette, that I hope everyone appreciated."
Leuii takes away $1,000 in prize money.
