KAHUWAI

Amber Bridgman

KAHUWAI

Amber Bridgman

New Zealand

Fashion Designer, Artist and Traditional Weaver Amber Bridgman, who is of Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha, Rabuvai and Aboriginal descent is the wahine behind KAHUWAI, a Māori-owned and operated clothing and traditional Māori Arts label that explores identity and whakapapa through its unique Māori designs in Aotearoa NZ.

Her brand KAHUWAI has been successfully producing garments for 15 years based in her tribal area Dunedin, Te Wai Pounamu Aotearoa NZ. The KAHUWAI brand reflects Amber’s unique style, and is heavily influenced by her surroundings, whanau (family), and whakapapa (genealogy). Kāi Tahutaka (Kai Tahu tribal practices) is what she lives and breathes, and is what underpins her work practices and designs.

Amber Bridgman holds various awards and titles for design and innovation. Her work has also been featured in magazines, television shows and on international platforms, catwalks and museums. She is a traditional Māori weaver and Fashion Designer, and is also well known for her multimedia work with a background in television and media.

As a mother, her children are a massive influence on her designs, and an integral part of the business, from models to technology support. In fact, it was the birth of her twin boys in 2004 that sparked the creation of KAHUWAI: the baby wear range which is still produced today, along with her KAHUWAI Couture garments and jewellery. All KAHUWAI products are handmade authentically, sustainably and consciously, and nothing is mass produced or made offshore. She produces baby, kids and adult ranges through her label. All her garments are hand printed with tamoko designs based on images from the whenua (land) and her whakapapa (genealogy), which represent her tribal background and lineage.

She has several degrees in traditional Māori Arts, also specializing in Mahi Raranga - Māori Weaving, which she also teaches at museums and local schools. Having these key foundations around Māori Toi (Māori Arts) is what makes her work powerful and special.

The authentic Kāi Tahu flavour of Amber’s work is seen through her garments and jewellery. This, and having been raised around dressmakers and designers from a young age, means it was no surprise Amber found herself producing fashion-based products from a young age.

Amber’s unique pieces have seen her recently being selected as a delegate to represent Aotearoa for FestPAC in Hawaii 2020.

Bio: Amber Bridgman

website: https://www.kahuwai.co.nz/

instagram: @kahuwai

facebook: @maorikakahu

Fashion Designer, Artist and Traditional Weaver Amber Bridgman, who is of Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha, Rabuvai and Aboriginal descent is the wahine behind KAHUWAI, a Māori-owned and operated clothing and traditional Māori Arts label that explores identity and whakapapa through its unique Māori designs in Aotearoa NZ.