Somnii // taylor New Zealand Fashion Week 2026

Stepping Into the Dream: Inside SOMNII at NZFW

To bring this vision to life for New Zealand Fashion Week, we took over Brad's, one of Auckland’s oldest heritage stone buildings, transforming its two distinct levels into a two-act installation.

Act I: Downstairs - Crimson Moods & "Visceral Breathing”

As our guests arrived on the lower level, they stepped straight into the subconscious mood of the evening. The venue's historic stone walls were bathed in a rich, moody crimson light, casting deep shadows as everyone gathered with Batched Cocktails and Dancing Water Wines in hand.

Anchoring the space was artist Hope Phillips’ installation, "Visceral Breathing". The web-like, organic structure caught the red glow and reflected across mirrored surfaces throughout the room, creating an unsettlingly beautiful, tactile atmosphere that set the tone before anyone even set foot upstairs.

Act II: Upstairs - Where Static Form Met Living Movement

Ascending to the upper level under the high timber rafters, guests took their seats surrounding the main gallery space. Down the length of the wooden floor, 20 dark pedestals held our new collection - featuring signature architectural tailoring, fluid silks, and shimmering textures , elevated with bespoke Anthurium Jewellery and Marmalade millinery.

The static dreamscape quickly began to shift. Hidden among the masked mannequins were live performers holding perfectly still, blending seamlessly into the sculpted forms. As the soundscape built, choreography by Sophia Purdon took over—dancers Hannah Booker, Milana, and Reese suddenly broke from their static poses, moving fluidly around and through the pedestals. Hope walked through the performance, creating a captivating dialogue between structured fashion and uninhibited physical movement. Complemented by luminous makeup by Aleph Beauty and dramatic lighting by Nikki Harmsen and Gene Bennett , the show captured the exact tension between structure and uncertainty we set out to explore.

Images Eliza Rose & Ryan Patrick Photography.

Discover the looks from the show.

Shop the looks here.