Runway Revival ‘26

Supporting our community while celebrating creativity and sustainable fashion in Otago

Runway Revival has its origins in smaller, much-loved runway shows, with the past two years marking an exciting evolution as the design competition has grown.

Designers from across Otago were invited to create original looks using repurposed materials, with the result showcased live to judges and guests. The outcome? A runway filled with looks that weren’t just sustainable, but genuinely wearable.

As Retail Manager Cristin Waite explained on the night, “Every designer has taken secondhand clothing and textiles – pieces that may have otherwise been overlooked or discarded – and transformed them into something completely new. It proves that what already exists can still have so much potential.”

OpShopSocial manager Cristin at Runway Revival

The three design categories – “What’s Your Dunedin”, “Anything But Clothes” and “Lucky Dip” – challenged designers in different ways, from drawing inspiration from the city, to working with unexpected materials, or a mystery bag of garments.

Guests were invited to vote digitally for People’s Choice and took part in a fun, fast paced auction lead by Grant McLean (Ray White).

Adding to the atmosphere, drag performer Snowpea brought the room to life with a high-energy appearance, including a cartwheel mid-runway that drew amazement from the crowd. It set the tone for a show that balanced creativity with a sense of fun.

Runway Revival is, at its core, a community effort. Councillor Garey opened the evening, Craig Johnston (Kia Dunedin) hosted the runway, and Margo Barton (Otago Polytechnic) shared remarks ahead of the awards, reflecting the strong mix of supporters, sponsors and community members in the room.

Together, the event raised $12,937 to support Familyworks and Enliven services, including Dunedin’s busiest foodbank, social work support, and programmes for tamariki, rangatahi, adults and older people across the region.

Thank you to judges Margarita Robertson, Founder and Creative Director of NOM*d; Tara Viggo, designer, pattern maker and founder of Paper Theory Patterns; and Ciaran Naylor, an emerging Dunedin-based designer already making waves nationally. A special thanks to Errick’s, Dunedin Quartet, Renegade Hair, choreographer Pippa Hamilton and photographer Jonathan Adlem for their generous support.

Runway Revival stands as a real celebration of creativity and community impact and it’s a night not to miss next year.

Category Winner: Lucky Dip Category Winner: Anything But Clothes Category Winner: What's Your Dunedin Category Winner: People's Choice

Top Designers Recognised

Lucky Dip - Polly Figgins & India Woodward-Leth
Anything But Clothes - Hannah & Ed Daniel
What’s Your Dunedin - Mikayla Lindsay
People’s Choice - Sarah Cunningham

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