As seen in British vogue
About Tessa
My path towards design all started with Edible Fashion Awards in 2008 and grew from there. I have always had an interest in clothes, it wasn't until Edible that I truly had the chance to make and design my own. It was a massive surprise to me winning supreme the first time ever entering and from there I entered multiple competitions all over New Zealand for seven years.
My high school Karamu supported me to enter Edible Fashion Awards and the A&P Shows Make'n'Model. I studied at Eastern Institute of Technology from 2012 to 2013 in a certificate in fashion apparel where I was able to push the boundaries on what is considered as fashion, as well as learn and improve upon my sewing and pattern making skills. I then went on to study at Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School in 2014 to 2015 to learn about Costume Construction. Studying costume at Toi Whakaari gave me a chance to explore a new side to clothing and learn from extremely talented tutors and guest tutors.
My family are very creative and practical so I had always had creativity and making things fostered in me. I like to explore all potential avenues for my creativity and endeavor to learn new things. I want to demonstrate that hard work does pay off in unexpected and amazing ways.
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported and helped me get to New York Fashion Week. Especially Hastings Pak'n'Save.
In 2016 I started my job at the award winning Weta workshop in the Costume department. I contracted to Weta for 2 years and worked on an array of projects including puppets, exhibitions, theatrical shows and films. It was an extremely rewarding experience and one of my life goals to work for Weta. While I was there I was contacted by Conde Nast to publish in British Vogue. I was in three issues in 2016.
2018 saw a drastic change for me. I felt that I needed to see more of the world and decided to move home to save for a big OE in 2019. I went to work for my dad in the automotive industry while also contracting to do costumes for Festival Opera.
My OE was an amazing four month experience where I got to see Europe, America, Asia and Egypt.
I then continued my journey in the automotive industry by becoming the Director of my family company Auto Class. I then completed my certificate to do Auto upholstery. Although it may seem a drastic change from costume and fashion surprisingly a lot of my skills were transferable and I brought a unique perspective to the design of car interiors.
In early 2024 I moved to Melbourne to continue my journey in fashion. I am currently looking for work in Melbourne.
My high school Karamu supported me to enter Edible Fashion Awards and the A&P Shows Make'n'Model. I studied at Eastern Institute of Technology from 2012 to 2013 in a certificate in fashion apparel where I was able to push the boundaries on what is considered as fashion, as well as learn and improve upon my sewing and pattern making skills. I then went on to study at Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School in 2014 to 2015 to learn about Costume Construction. Studying costume at Toi Whakaari gave me a chance to explore a new side to clothing and learn from extremely talented tutors and guest tutors.
My family are very creative and practical so I had always had creativity and making things fostered in me. I like to explore all potential avenues for my creativity and endeavor to learn new things. I want to demonstrate that hard work does pay off in unexpected and amazing ways.
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported and helped me get to New York Fashion Week. Especially Hastings Pak'n'Save.
In 2016 I started my job at the award winning Weta workshop in the Costume department. I contracted to Weta for 2 years and worked on an array of projects including puppets, exhibitions, theatrical shows and films. It was an extremely rewarding experience and one of my life goals to work for Weta. While I was there I was contacted by Conde Nast to publish in British Vogue. I was in three issues in 2016.
2018 saw a drastic change for me. I felt that I needed to see more of the world and decided to move home to save for a big OE in 2019. I went to work for my dad in the automotive industry while also contracting to do costumes for Festival Opera.
My OE was an amazing four month experience where I got to see Europe, America, Asia and Egypt.
I then continued my journey in the automotive industry by becoming the Director of my family company Auto Class. I then completed my certificate to do Auto upholstery. Although it may seem a drastic change from costume and fashion surprisingly a lot of my skills were transferable and I brought a unique perspective to the design of car interiors.
In early 2024 I moved to Melbourne to continue my journey in fashion. I am currently looking for work in Melbourne.
