Vince Ropitini

Kia ora! My name is Vince and I’m a fashion designer with a strong foundation in tailoring, garment construction, and creative direction. I hold a Bachelor of Design with First Class Honours in Fashion Design from Massey University, where I received several accolades including the Rembrandt Award for Excellence in Tailoring and the Massey University Māori Scholar Award.

My design practice is rooted in cultural expression, with a particular passion for incorporating Māori design principles into contemporary fashion. I have showcased my work on runways including Melbourne Fashion Festival and the iD Dunedin International Emerging Designer Awards, where I was honoured with the VIVA Top NZ Designer and Polson Higgs Entrepreneurial Awards.

Professionally, I’ve worked across menswear tailoring and retail at Hallenstein Brothers, large-scale wardrobe operations at The Star Entertainment Group, and as a industrial sewing machinist with a number of manufacturing companies. I’m also the founder of Obsolescence Clothing, a brand that explores the intersection of sustainability, culture, and innovation.

I bring to every project a hands-on, detail-focused approach and a commitment to storytelling through design. Whether crafting bespoke garments or developing full collections, I value collaboration, precision, and integrity in every aspect of the process.