From DJ sets to markets, film screenings, free yoga sessions and more, check out our top picks for activations taking place in Aotea Square during Fashion Week this February in the heart of the city.
Live screenings of the runway shows | All week
Live screenings of all fashion shows as they take place will be up on the Auckland Live digital screen during the course of NZ Fashion Week and Fashion Weekend - check out the Fashion Week show schedule here and Fashion Weekend show schedule here.
Live DJs at Aotea Square | Selected times
Don't miss an exciting line-up of talented DJs performing live in Aotea Square this NZ Fashion Week and Fashion Weekend. See the full line-up and set times here.
Rialto film screenings in Aotea Square
Head along to catch screenings of popular fashion films such as Dior & I, John Paul Gaultier - Freak & Chic and more on Aotea Square's digital screen. Check out the full line-up of films and screening times here.
Te Mākete on Aotea | February 12, 12pm - 7pm
With over 30 stalls featuring Pacifica, Māori, sustainability, fashion, food, music and artists demonstrations - come and get hands on! See the full line-up here.
Yoga in the Marquee | February 8, 10 and 12
Head into the NZ Fashion Week marquee on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for a free yoga session with instructor Stacy Lee Ghin from 8am - 9am with live beats from DJ Phoebe Falconer. BYO yoga mat.
NZ Fashion Musuem Tour
Join NZ Fashion Museum's Doris de Pont on a guided walk through the streets and alleyways to uncover a hidden history of fashion in the heart of the city.
Resene paint by numbers kids activity | February 11 and 12, 11am - 4pm
The Rise Creative team will create and setup a ‘Paint By Numbers’ interactive artwork of outlined NZ Flora and Fauna – with numbers inside to colour.
Korowai weaving demonstration | February 11, 12pm - 7pm and February 12th, 11am - 4pm
A Te Puawai Orakei Marae weaving demonstration and tukutuku woven public engagement artwork. Led by Beronia Scott, weavers will creating a lounge showcasing the art of weaving 2 traditional Korowai. There will be also be the opportunity for public to weave into a Tukutuku panel which will further go on display after the event.
Māori Rarangā | February 10, 11am - 3pm
Weaving by Jasmine Nyx a workshop in making Paraerae (Māori sandals).
Moving the dial on diversity | February 11, 9am
Ministry of Social Development will be hosting a seminar aiming to showcase the importance of diversity in the workplace. Furthermore, alongside providers and employer partners, Ministry of Social Development will also be in Aotea Square to showcase pathways and opportunities in construction, connecting people to their next step into training and jobs.
Live Painting by Chris Dews | February 9-11, 11am – 3pm
Chris Dews, NZFW artist in residenece will have his art available so he can share his recent work of how we would engineer a natural water flow through the diversity of our cities, first by visualising it with paint. See him create a piece onsite Wednesday and Thursday, with the finished piece available for purchase.
KPOP Kids classes with KDA | February 12, 10.30am - 11.30am
KDA is a small kpop dance community passionate about getting people of all skill levels into performances and on sage. Come and give it a go!
The Madeleines | February 11 and 12, 1pm – 1.45pm
The Madeleines specialise in singing jazz and swing music from the 20s to the 60s, complete with beautiful costumes, sophisticated harmonies, and tight choreography. Check them out in the square on Friday and Saturday.
Anita Wigl’ít | February 11 and 12, 3.30pm – 4pm
Anita Wigl’it is the owner and resident queen of Auckland’s famous Caluzzi Cabaret. She is also the star of RuPaul’s Drag Race – Down Under and the host of the Warner Brothers TV show House of Drag. Anita has entertained audiences across the world with her quick wit and hilarious shows - check her out in the square!
Workshops
EmpowerME | February 9, 10am - 2pm inside the marquee
EmpowerME is an online group coaching program designed to explore your self-awareness, your thought processes and understanding the patterns behind them, bringing awareness to human behaviour, emotional intelligence and behaviour change. Join a workshop with with Tamara Waugh designed to help you harness the power of your mind and beliefs.
Upcycling preloved garments workshops | Friday 11th Feb, 12-3pm
The Preloved Project brings you a workshop as part of NZFW with Dizzie Pixie Designs Upcycled Art By Lyn-Marie. You will learn and make T-shirt bags and bag tags from fully reused materials.
Kids art workshop with Natanahira Pona | February 11 and 12, 11am - 4pm
Master carver and artist Natanahira Pona brings in his own carved wooden plates for kids to have a fun and interactive morning with. At this craft activity, the kids are free to take crayon rubbings from a various selection of carved NZ birds, flora and tukutuku patterns. These can further be painted on by the children as a takeaway art.
Bespoke your ride (and yourself) | February 12, 11am, Aotea Square
Add some sparkle to your bike or make a 'skirt guard' to protect your precious frock with this hands-on making session with maker and artist Margaret Lewis. See more here.
Kimono workshop, seminar and display | February 9 from 1pm and on display all day
Kimono are beautiful, but many people don’t know about the eco and sustainable side of kimono. This workshop will have you learning how kimono are made and how they were used in environmentally friendly ways in the past. At the end of the workshop, enjoy unstitching kimono and creating accessories out of these beautiful fabrics. See more here.