27 Facts About Kiri Nathan

Kiri Marie Nathan was born on 1972 and is a New Zealand Maori fashion designer, entrepreneur, cultural ambassador and mentor, based in Auckland.

Kiri Nathan is co-founder of the fashion brand Kiri Nathan, was the first Maori designer to open New Zealand Fashion Week, and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori and the fashion industry.

Kiri Nathan's iwi are Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine, Ngati Haua, Ngati Maru and Ngati Paoa.

Kiri Nathan spent her early childhood living and going to school between Scotland and New Zealand.

Kiri Nathan was introduced to the fashion industry by designer Kim Fraser who was her mentor after high school, and tutor when Kiri Nathan did her three-year diploma in visual arts at the Manukau Institute of Technology, majoring in fashion.

At age 18, Kiri Nathan became a single mother while she continued to study.

Kiri Nathan's tutors failed a black silk dress she designed that incorporated Maori design in woven braid trims.

Kiri Nathan entered the design in the New Zealand Creative Youth Awards and won the Womenswear section, as well as the Overall Supreme Award.

Kiri Nathan met her husband Jason Te Ahu Renata Nathan and his child in 1998.

Kiri Nathan uses traditional raranga techniques to create kakahu and applications to garments.

Kiri Nathan's clothes acknowledge Maori whakapapa, use sustainable materials and are ethically sourced and manufactured.

Kiri Nathan pieces have been worn by Barack and Michelle Obama, the Duchess of Sussex, Beyonce, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran and Mariah Carey and owned by Bruce Springsteen and Will.

In 2017, Kiri Nathan founded the Kahui Collective, a community to support emerging Maori and indigenous fashion designers in their businesses and creative endeavours.

The Kahui Collective is one part of the ecosystem Kiri Nathan is building, called KAURI, designed to be the first commercial Maori fashion industry.

From 2017 to 2022, Kiri Nathan led several trade visits to China to support groups of Maori fashion designers.

In 2020, Kiri Nathan dressed Jojo Rabbit producer Chelsea Winstanley in a handwoven gown for the Oscars red carpet when she was the first indigenous producer nominated for best picture.

In 2022, Kiri Nathan moved her business from her small Auckland home and studio, into her showroom, creative workshop and operations hub called Te Ahuru Mowai, meaning shelter or safe haven, in Glen Innes.

The working space is where Kiri Nathan makes her clothing and woven kakahu, and it is a community hub for future of Aotearoa fashion designers to be mentored.

In 2023 Kiri Nathan was the first Maori designer to open New Zealand Fashion Week in its 22-year history, with a spectacular runway show telling the story of the evolution of Maori garments and culture.

Nathan has won numerous fashion competitions and Kiri Nathan was the first New Zealand fashion label to work with Walt Disney Pictures for the red carpet of Moana.

Handwoven Kiri Nathan kakahu are in the Walt Disney museum, the Auckland Museum and will be used to cloak women in all future New Zealand Monarchy dame investiture ceremonies.

Kiri Nathan serves on the board of the WOW World of Wearable Arts, the advisory board for New Zealand Fashion Week, the New Zealand China Council board, the New Zealand Mindful Fashion board, the advisory board for Super Diverse Woman and is a founding board member of the I have a Dream charitable trust that helps disadvantaged children achieve academic success.

Kiri Nathan is a founding member of Wahine Toa, identifying and mentoring leadership in young Maori women.

In 2019, Kiri Nathan was named the MWDI Maori Business Woman of the Year, and received a Blake Leader award the same year.

In 2021, Kiri Nathan was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs.

In 2024, Kiri Nathan was one of three finalists for New Zealander of the Year in the New Zealander of the Year Awards.

In 2021, Kiri Nathan completed an intensive 36-week full-immersion te reo Maori language programme.