From Taranaki to the world: Vince Ropitini’s rising star in Māori fashion design

The Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University fashion graduate recently took home two prestigious awards at the 2025 iD International Emerging Designer Awards in Dunedin: the VIVA Top NZ Designer Award and the Polson Higgs Entrepreneurial Award.

For Vince, the recognition is a celebration of his cultural identity and creative vision.

“These awards meant a lot to me, as it confirmed that what I have been designing and creating is needed and appreciated in our current society. The feedback has been so positive and is motivating me to continue creating work inspired by te ao Māori, sharing my story with the world.”

Raised in Taranaki, Vince always gravitated toward creativity. His early passion for painting evolved naturally into fashion design, a medium through which he could blend artistry, identity and storytelling. His academic journey began in 2019 when he visited Wellington for Massey’s Open Day.

“I fell in love with the fashion block in the Old Museum Building and all of the incredibly knowledgeable and friendly lecturers,” he recalls.

That decision led to four formative years at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts (CoCA). While the study was rigorous, he thrived in Massey’s collaborative and creative environment. He fondly remembers long nights in the fashion workrooms, the camaraderie of his classmates and moments of spontaneous inspiration — like walking up Mount Victoria in tails made by artist and Senior Lecturer Catherine Bagnall.

His final-year collection, The Art of Passive Resistance, was inspired by the story of Parihaka, incorporating Māori design principles and referencing attributes found in contemporary Māori art.

“My design practice is rooted in cultural expression. Designing through a lens that reflects Mātauranga Māori is essential. It allows us to preserve customary knowledge while also innovating — imagining the future of our communities through a Māori worldview.”

The iD awards are the latest in a long list of accolades for Vince, including the Rembrandt Award for Excellence in Tailoring and the WoolOn 2023 Toi Tu ki Uruuruwhenua Award, alongside a number of university awards.

Fashion Senior Lecturer Sue Prescott, who taught him during his time at Massey, recalls Vince as an excellent student.

“He is very diligent, hardworking and passionate about inspiring the regeneration of Mātauranga Māori, which has appeared throughout his work. It’s great that he is continuing to do so.”

Now based in Naarm, Melbourne, Vince is setting up his own studio where he hopes to continue designing consciously crafted, Māori-inspired clothing. He is also eager to collaborate with other Māori creatives and contribute to a growing movement of indigenous innovation in fashion.

He sees enormous potential in Massey’s newly introduced Mātauranga Māori major — a step he believes is critical for nurturing the next generation of culturally grounded designers.

“This is about protecting our history, but also evolving it. There is so much talent ready to be seen from our communities.”