New Zealand’s longest-running fashion website, Fashionz.co.nz, has today announced the launch of SUPERNOVA, a premium quarterly print magazine set to debut in August 2026.
The move signals a significant evolution for the digital-first platform, embracing the enduring power of print in an increasingly saturated online media landscape.
Founded in 1998, Fashionz.co.nz has spent nearly three decades documenting, supporting and shaping Aotearoa’s fashion industry. From its earliest days as one of the country’s first dedicated online fashion platforms, the site has provided a vital space for designers, creatives and industry voices to share their work, stories and perspectives. Over 25 years, it has grown into a respected archive and active newsroom, offering front-row access to the evolution of New Zealand fashion.
Now under the stewardship of publisher Murray Bevan and his Auckland-based agency Showroom 22, Fashionz.co.nz has undergone a significant transformation since its relaunch in 2023. Bevan’s vision has been to modernise the FashioNZ platform while honouring its legacy—reinvigorating editorial direction, amplifying new voices, and positioning it as a digital-first media brand for a contemporary audience.
The launch of SUPERNOVA marks the next chapter in that journey.
“FashioNZ has always been about storytelling and community,” says Murray Bevan, Publisher of Fashionz. “With SUPERNOVA, we’re taking that ethos into a new dimension. Print is no longer about mass—it’s about meaning. It’s about creating something collectible, something tangible, something that holds value long after the scroll ends. We see this as an investment not just in our brand, but in the future of New Zealand media and fashion.”
At a time when digital content is ubiquitous and often ephemeral, print has re-emerged globally as a premium medium – rare, deliberate and highly curated. SUPERNOVA will lean into this shift, positioning itself as a high-value editorial product designed to be kept, revisited and shared. With a focus on long-form storytelling, striking visual direction and thoughtful curation, the magazine aims to capture the depth and nuance of New Zealand’s fashion landscape in a way that digital platforms cannot.
Editor Bella Wright, who has played a key role in shaping FashioNZ’s editorial voice in recent years, will lead SUPERNOVA’s creative direction.
“We’re not interested in replicating what already exists,” says Wright. “SUPERNOVA is about pushing boundaries – visually, editorially and culturally. It’s about creating a platform that reflects the intelligence, diversity and creativity of our industry. There’s a confidence in print that allows you to slow down, to go deeper, and to tell stories in a more meaningful way. That’s what excites me most.”
The magazine will be published quarterly, with four issues per year, each anchored by a distinct editorial theme and supported by a mix of established and emerging contributors from across the fashion, art and creative industries.
Beyond its editorial ambition, SUPERNOVA also represents a significant commercial undertaking. FashioNZ has set a target of generating $1,000,000 in revenue within the magazine’s first year, driven by a combination of advertising, partnerships, subscriptions and retail distribution.
“This is a serious business move,” adds Bevan. “We’re approaching SUPERNOVA with the same strategic mindset we apply to everything we do. There’s a clear appetite for premium print, particularly when it’s backed by a trusted brand and a strong point of view. We’re confident in our ability to deliver both.”
Central to the magazine’s launch is its partnership with Optus Print NZ, one of the country’s leading print and distribution providers. Known for its commitment to quality and innovation, Optus will oversee the production and nationwide distribution of SUPERNOVA.
Andrew Mitchell, Managing Director of Optus Print NZ, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with FashioNZ on the launch of SUPERNOVA,” says Mitchell. “There’s something special happening in print right now—brands are rediscovering its power as a premium, tactile medium. SUPERNOVA is exactly the kind of project that showcases what print can do at its best. The quality, the detail, the physical experience—it all adds up to something truly impactful. We’re excited to help bring that vision to life.”
The decision to move into print also reflects a broader commitment from FashioNZ to support and strengthen New Zealand’s local media ecosystem. In an era marked by declining advertising revenues and the closure of numerous publications, SUPERNOVA stands as a vote of confidence in the resilience and relevance of independent media.
“New Zealand has always punched above its weight creatively,” says Bevan. “But our media landscape has faced significant challenges in recent years. Launching a print magazine in 2026 might seem counterintuitive to some, but for us, it’s a statement of intent. We believe in this industry, we believe in local storytelling, and we’re here for the long game.”
Wright echoes this sentiment, emphasising the importance of creating platforms that genuinely serve the creative community.
“There are so many incredible voices in New Zealand fashion that deserve to be seen and heard,” she says. “SUPERNOVA is about creating space for those voices—giving them the platform, the resources and the respect they deserve. It’s about building something that feels both globally relevant and deeply local.”
The inaugural issue of SUPERNOVA, set for release in August 2026, will feature a curated mix of fashion editorials, designer profiles, cultural commentary and industry insights, alongside contributions from some of the country’s most exciting creative talents.
Distributed nationwide through selected retailers and subscription channels, the magazine will also explore international opportunities, positioning New Zealand fashion within a broader global context.
As FashioNZ approaches its 30th anniversary, the launch of SUPERNOVA represents both a reflection on its legacy and a bold step forward.
“In 1998, FashioNZ was at the forefront of digital media,” says Bevan. “In 2026, we’re embracing print in a way that feels just as progressive. That’s what we’ve always tried to do—adapt, evolve and stay relevant. SUPERNOVA is the next evolution of that journey.”
And of course – before anyone starts clearing coffee table space – SUPERNOVA is, in true FashioNZ spirit, simply our April Fools’ Day prank.
