Gay Samoan designer, stylist and makeup artist James Leuii's Victorian-style white dress dazzled the judges to win the Hero category at Friday night's Westfield Style Pasifika pageant. White winner: Venus Mantrapp models James Leuii's design Auckland drag diva Venus Mantrapp stepped onto the catwalk in a frock which took the feel of the Victorian missionary 'white dress' and exaggerated to suit the style of the flamboyant and fun-loving Hero category, which was sponsored by the NZ AIDS Foundation. My Durex Diva: Candy Elsmore's condom creation had the audience wrapped Candy Elsmore's outrageous red and yellow creation called My Durex Diva was the runner up. The garment saw condoms in hot tropical colours emblazoned on a full length gown of satin covered in crystals and beads. The Awards were presented in front of an audience of thousands by Prime Minister Helen Clark at Auckland's Vector Arena. The judges' comments on the winning garments in this year's Westfield Style Pasifika emphasised the exceptional standard and the passion, innovation and craft that shone through. "It is rare today so see fashion made with such care love and integrity," said judge Francis Hooper from World fashion. The event has been staged for fifteen years in Auckland and has grown from a small community show into New Zealand's largest fashion award and an icon of the fashion and entertainment calendar. A unique fashion and entertainment spectacular that mixes fashion with music, culture and dance, it celebrates the potent mix of South Pacific European and Asian cultures and influences that makeup this part of the world.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 8th September 2008 - 5:49pm