Making her mark as a Pasifika entrepreneur in the cut throat world of fashion, Nora Swann has continued to grow a strong platform for indigenous designers to showcase their designs, to a global market.
This was evident at her latest Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS) held in Auckland in December last year where more than 16 designers took to the runway with their creations.
Designers came from not only across Aotearoa but also from the region including Australia, Guam and Hawaii to be part of the largest Pacific fashion event in New Zealand.
Nora says they have received great feedback from those who attended, including designers, models and those watching the live stream.
“It’s been really humbling and it’s getting that kind of feedback that tells me that I need to keep on pushing for what I’m trying to do, which is to create more space for our Pacific fashion community.
“And yet it has been really nice, even our designers said they’ve experienced things at Pacific Fusion Fashion Show that they haven’t at any other fashion show that they’ve attended around the world,” adds Nora.
And it is that space Nora has excelled in as the founder of the PFFS platform, which is making the transition into mainstream by becoming a staple on the New Zealand fashion calendar, partnering with the New Zealand Fashion community.
Nora says, “it’s important that we showcase Pacific fashion at the highest standard…and everyone who is non-Pacific is looking at our platform as the event that represents Pacific fashion.”
Not only is the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show a must see and growing in popularity, Nora’s Dressed in Confidence Programme continues to attract people of all shapes and sizes and fashion tastes.
Her message of body positivity comes through her programme and is one of the reasons she has been invited to the Pacific region to hold workshops for the fashion savvy.
Nora says the Dressed in Confidence capacity building workshops are not only for our ecosystem, but making sure to put on the best Pacific fashion show possible.
While the weekend of PFFS marked another successful show it also marked another milestone for Nora who celebrated 13 years in business. Nora says that, while there have been challenges, it comes with the territory of being an entrepreneur.
“The uphill battle and many courageous conversations have been worth it knowing that next year we will be part of the NZFW calendar. It feels rewarding and there’s also a sense of pride knowing that our entire ecosystem has contributed to the doors being opened for us.”
Nora is also impressed with the growing number of Pasifika designers and models that are carving out a name in the industry. In 2025, she says they are expecting more than 200 hundred models to cast for PFFS.
“Every year, we’re meeting aspiring designers who have either been following PFFS for a while or have been advised to showcase in PFFS so our brand continues to grow and become the trusted platform for designers to showcase their designs in.”
And while Pacific Fusion Fashion Show for 2024 has come to a close, hailed as a huge success, Nora is already gearing up for 2025.
“We plan on running our first capacity building workshop early in the new year to prepare the pacific model community for a competitive model casting.
“If we can prepare our models with the appropriate tools and insights on how to cast successfully, then they’ll have a good chance on modelling in PFFS25.”
And it is this positivity, strong business acumen and insight that has made Nora Swann Ltd a strong brand in the world of fashion.
“Just don’t give up on the dream, continue to push yourself and know that there is a community out here who are willing and are ready to help you.”
