Celebrate Matariki and contemporary Maori art with a night of spectacular fashion and performances at the Tauranga Art Gallery.

Street wear, avant-garde and harakeke (flax) couture will take centre stage at Te Ao Hou – Matariki 2015 Fashion Show, which takes place at the gallery on Thursday, June 18.

Shona Tawhiao's collection will feature as part of Te Ao Hou – Matariki 2015 Fashion Show taking place at the Tauranga Art Gallery on June 18. Photo: Dan du Bern.

Hosted in collaboration with Tauranga Libraries and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Te Ao Hou – which means ‘The New World' – is a key event of Tauranga Moana's Matariki 2015 Festival.

The fashion show will feature pieces created by renowned Maaori fashion designers Jeanine Clarkin, Christopher Huia Woods and Shona Tawhiao.

The gallery says Jeanine, whose brand ‘Jeanine Clarkin Design' was established in 1994, is best known for producing garments from recycled fabric.

'Jeanine was responsible for dressing Keisha Castle-Hughes for all her Whale Rider premieres in 2002,” says a gallery spokesperson.

'While Christopher Huia Woods created the gown for Miss New Zealand to wear in the Miss World final in South Africa. His collection is inspired by the colours of Aotearoa.”

Also on display will be creations from former Tauranga designer Shona Tawhiao, who is of Ngai Te Rangi descent and is currently based in Auckland.

Along with the fashion show, Shona is also displaying her pieces as part of the Te Whare Tawhiao exhibition which can be viewed at the gallery until July 19.

'Shona is a celebrated fashion designer and flax weaver whose exquisite work has been recognised nationally as well as in Europe, Australia and the Pacific,” they add.

'Shona's creations are mahi raranga mahi toi (woven flax art), haute couture, and contemporary art.”

Three graduates from last year's BOP Polytechnic Fashion degree programme will also show their unique and diverse collections on the night.

Led by fashion design tutor Donna Dinsdale, those graduates are: Glen MacLachlan (Ngati Maniapoto), Tasmyn Moana Roach (Nga Puhi, Te Arawa) and Angela Marie Hodge (Ngati Maniapoto, Tainui).

The gallery add: 'These students highlight a very contemporary interpretation of cultural influences that are seen in Aotearoa's multicultural society today.”

'Live music, kapa haka and other performances will also add to the atmosphere of the evening.”

Te Ao Hou - Matariki 2015 Fashion Show takes to the catwalk at the Tauranga Art Gallery on Thursday, June 18, from 6.30pm.

Tickets cost $20 and $15 for students (with ID). Seating is limited, so to book your spot call the gallery on: 07 578 7933.