Fashion is often interpreted as only serving the purpose of covering up skin. However, it can be used as a form of storytelling, expressing the personality, culture, and personal beliefs of not only the wearer, but also the designer. In this interview, NEXUS deep dives into the cultural aspect of fashion and recent critical use of pop culture in fashion with fashion enthusiasts from different cultural backgrounds: Christtelle Centeno, Witty San, and Steve Huynh. 


1. How would you describe the overall fashion scene in New Zealand?

Christtelle: To be fair, not a lot of people that I’ve seen around me care too much about fashion. Majority of what I see people wear around me are very basic and clean, not really to stand out, but more for comfort and practicality. The places where I do see fashion stand out is out in Auckland. There I see more creativity with the way people dress and they surely stand out when you see them walk by the streets. 

Witty: I’d say fashion in New Zealand is pretty laid-back. Many people don’t really dress up unless they’re going out to a ball or fancy dinner. There’s a lot of activewear, jeans and sweatpants most of the time.

Steve: People over here mostly wear casual or basic chic fashion, nothing really special. It depends on the area though because I have seen many streets with really cool-looking bold outfits.

 
2. Are there any particular designers or local brands that you admire or follow? And do you think they have executed their culture well on their apparels? 

Christtelle: I don’t know any designers, but I do follow a lot of TikTokers from NZ who showcase fashion really well. One example is Xixi Amethyst, who’s in Auckland. 

Witty: A local brand I love is RUBY (sponsor me ruby, I love you). They’re definitely $$$ but their clothes are so worth it. They focus on a mixture of styles; good quality basics, elevated basics, and bold patterned pieces that add just a little extra something to your outfits. I definitely think that they’ve executed their culture well. You can always tell when a RUBY piece is a RUBY piece!

Steve: Oh, I have quite a few actually! Sarah Linh Tran is my favourite Vietnamese designer with her clothing brand Lemaire for timeless fashion. Recently, she did a show in Seoul and her shoots featured a lot of Vietnamese essence. 

 
3. What is your personal style and how do you deliver authenticity in your daily outfits?

Christtelle: I don’t have a specific aesthetic that I stick with. Every day it is something new as I love dressing up in different styles based on what I am feeling. Some days I will feel like an all black outfit, and to make it stand out, I’ll add a corset or a statement piece. Other days, I will wear something really preppy or coquette. It’s all really within my mood and season. 

Witty: I’d say my personal style is definitely super feminine and girly. I love all the skirts, bows, and colour! My favourite way to come up with an outfit is to layer, always! Then accessories. That is how I always make sure my outfits are personalised and authentic to me.

Steve: I like to try out new aesthetics but my main one would be something around business casual to grunge-ish. Instead, I have a colour palette to stick with – mostly earth tones. I like to wear button-up shirts since they can be both casual and business-looking. I create outfits that are based on what I feel like and how I’d like to portray myself on that specific day. 

 
4. This year, the New Zealand Fashion Week was cancelled due to economic issues. Do you think the economy and current social issues are important for fashion shows to be considered? 

Christtelle: With the economic issues we’re facing, I think it is good to set fashions aside as it is not as important as everything else that is happening right now. If fashion were to showcase the issues in a creative way, then maybe it should still be considered. 

Witty: I think the economic climate and our current social issues are critical factors in the planning and success of fashion shows. The fashion industry as a whole will always have a lot of consumer interest, so while fashion shows are a big aspect of the industry, I think that being aware of the economy and what is happening in consumer behaviour is definitely important to consider.

Steve: Definitely. I love fashion and enjoy watching the shows, but I wonder if people in the fashion industry would care enough to use their brand image and speak against certain issues locally and globally. The economy here in New Zealand is quite controversial at the moment and it is quite thoughtful of whoever cancelled it in consideration of both consumer interests and designer budget. Like, they will be shown but not sold.

 
5. The MET GALA has faced a lot of criticism- some people have made references to the Capitol (referencing the Hunger Games’s highest social class). What are your opinions regarding this claim?  

Christtelle: Considering how the majority of the people who are invited to the MET GALA are famous and well-known people with status, I agree that the MET GALA has similarities with the highest social class in the Hunger Games. Not everyone can afford to have a designer work on a piece specific to themselves only. 

Witty: The subject of the MET can sometimes highlight societal disparities and provoke discussions about the role of wealth and privilege in contemporary culture. Balancing the celebration of art with a sensitivity to social issues is a challenge that the organisers and participants of the MET could consider more deeply.

Steve: I think MET is MET but definitely considered a show-off from a higher social class. MET has always been controversial and with things happening on the other side of the world right now, MET GALA is somewhat unnecessary. So, yeah. I would say MET is giving Capitol fashion-wise and economic-wise. Those gowns aren’t going to cost you just a few bucks.

 
6. Finally, in your own words, describe the MET GALA 2024. 

Christtelle: MET GALA 2024 reminds me of every other MET GALA. Rich people wear expensive clothing, and society judges outfits based on the overall theme. It is entertaining to see and admire the clothing, but people look too much into the celebrities wearing the outfits rather than the clothing itself from what I’ve noticed.

Witty: Honestly, I was disappointed. The theme had SO much potential. I was expecting to see some archival Thierry Mugler and guests dressed up in massive ethereal flower sculpture gowns. I think Iris Van Herpen KILLED it though! Mona Patel was my favourite look of the night.

Steve: Not great, but at least most of the celebrities this year were a bit more on theme. I was surprised  at how many influencers were invited, especially when Hayley Bayley posted a video of her attending MET. It feels like these events, instead of closing down since so many celebrities aren’t keen to show up anymore, would rather fill their venues with social media influencers as a cover-up. Anyway, I am loving Tyla’s form fitting sand dress by Balmain.