Photos: Copyright: All Rights Reserved, Image © Shona Tawhiao MUSEUM


Shona Tawhiao Te Rito Royal collection, 2019 Made from plaited flax strips


Shona Tawhiao has received international


acclaim for her creative practice, designing and making contemporary fashion utilising traditional Maori materials and techniques. She creates garments and accessories, some made entirely from harakeke (Phormium tenax), while others incorporate a mix of materials. Her work often features female warrior themes with shapes based on traditional garments such as korowai pake (rain capes). This potae (hat) is made up of 28 flax strips plaited together and woven in the same way a kete (basket) is made. Once the crown is woven, the brim is formed by weaving in extra strips in a V-shape. Finishing is a flat style of tucking in and turning back each strand. Shona says the potae adds another dimension to her ‘Te Rito Royal’ collection. “It’s strong but elegant and represents the Wahine Toa (woman with courage) who I imagine would lead armies.”


february 2022 | 51


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84