Everybody starts somewhere.
Traditionally, the fashion industry – like most others – does an excellent job of celebrating its leaders, creative geniuses, and greatest success stories. Business media has also long amplified those whose pursuits fail, often giving the biggest failures the most attention. Yet rarely do we shine a meaningful spotlight on the best and brightest of the next generation.
For FNZ publisher and Showroom22 founder Murray Bevan, these journeys are nothing new:
When I look back at the careers of some of New Zealand fashion’s most prominent creatives in 2026, I can still recall the moments they got their first jobs, or when I first met them in the early 2000s. From memory, Guy Coombes landed his first role at Stacy Gregg’s infamous Runway Reporter website as a party photographer – also where Zoe Walker cut her teeth in fashion journalism. Dan Ahwa used to knock on my showroom door on High Street in the early 2000s, then fashion editor of Pulp magazine. Sarah Murray was a junior staff writer at Sunday Magazine in 2010 and later worked as Beauty Editor of Fashion Quarterly – a masthead she now owns, publishes and edits in its entirety.
There are countless other examples, stretching back well beyond my time, of young creatives turning initiative and energy into meaningful careers. This article aims to celebrate nearly a dozen of 2026’s newest talents from across the industry.
To shape this list, we tapped into a circle of leading creatives and friends of FNZ, including writer and industry heavyweight Emma Gleason, who puts it simply:
“There’s a wealth of emerging talent in Tāmaki Makaurau, too many to name in fact. It’s very heartening to see not only coming through, but carving out their own spaces and producing new events and platforms. People like Sophia Kwon, Nina Bailey, Paris Lloyd-Beere, Finn Mora-Hill and the rest of the crew behind Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa. There are so many photographers making really strong work, including Synthia Bahati, Abigail Dell’Avo and Felix Jackson. We’ve got talented stylists like Levi Tan and Adam Banoori. I enjoy Yana Kulishenko’s fashion writing. I was recently impressed by Lane Worrall’s makeup design for Angela Kong’s runway show. Bailey Salmon is a rising PR star, as is Avery Turner. Shruthi Priya Balaji makes cool things happen. So does Litia Tuiburelevu. Edward Henry has a great eye. And there’s also about a hundred other people I’ve forgotten to name.”
These are the names you’ll be hearing a lot more of.
Hope Patterson – Photographer
With a background in fashion design and a First Class Honours degree, Hope Patterson brings a refined, editorial eye to everything she touches. Since going full-time freelance less than two years ago, she’s quickly become one of the most in-demand photographers in Aotearoa, balancing digital, analogue, and now Super 8. Her client list – YSL, Adidas, Lancôme and beyond – speaks volumes, but it’s her ability to capture something distinctly human that keeps her booked and busy. Simply put: she’s defining the visual language of the current moment.
Levi Tan – Stylist
With roots in 2D and 3D animation, Levi Tan approaches styling with a world-building mindset that sets him apart. His work across Fashion Quarterly, Newmarket Magazine, ĀHUA and FNZ has made him one of the most talked-about names right now -both on set and on Instagram. Eccentric, kind, and unmistakably original, Levi is shaping narratives as much as looks, and his trajectory feels inevitable.
Bailey Salmon – Brand Manager, RUBY
The architect behind many of RUBY’s most viral moments, Bailey Salmon is proving that brand management is as creative as it is strategic. With a sharp understanding of audience and cultural timing, he’s helping steer one of Aotearoa’s most beloved labels into its next era. If you’ve seen it, saved it, or talked about it – chances are Bailey had something to do with it.
Taarika Orange – Photographer & BTS Creative
Taarika Orange is redefining what happens behind the scenes. From Rebe to Porter James, and editorial work for FNZ, Remix and Sauce, her BTS content feels as considered and compelling as the final campaign. There’s an effortless “cool girl” energy to everything she produces – authentic, electric, and completely of the moment.
Ned Pound – Director
A true next-gen creative, Ned Pound pairs technical precision with an instinctive sense of taste. Coming from a lineage of fashion and media heavyweights (Simon Pound and Ingrid Starnes), he’s developed a sharp eye and a thoughtful approach to storytelling. Still early in his career, but already showing the kind of clarity and enthusiasm that signals long-term impact.
Natasha Ovely – Stylist
Originally known for her work with Starving Artist’s Fund, Natasha Ovely has transitioned into styling with a perspective that feels entirely her own. Her eclectic aesthetic and strong point of view cut through a sea of sameness, offering something that feels both personal and directional. One of those creatives whose evolution is just as exciting as the work itself.
Christian Turner – Photographer
Christian Turner has quietly built a reputation for thoughtful, journalistic portraiture. Having cut his teeth assisting on shoots like Viva, he’s developed a signature approach that feels intimate and honest. His work – alongside figures like Geoffrey Matautia – reflects a commitment to storytelling and representation that resonates far beyond fashion imagery.
Beth Pettengell – Digital Creator & Multi-Hyphenate
Beth Petts is proof that hustle and consistency still cut through. Balancing multiple roles across Remix, Ed&i Body, Georgette Pollock and Isla Markets, she’s carved out a reputation as one of the hardest-working young creatives in the industry. Alongside it all, her TikTok presence is both strategic and relentless – her posting schedule alone is enough to impress. Having already worked with brands like RUBY and LA Vintage, Beth represents a new kind of fashion force: digitally fluent, deeply embedded, and leading by example.
William Terite – Journalist, Pacific Media Network
William Terite is bringing a vital voice to the forefront of fashion and media. With a talent for asking the questions that matter, he’s carving out space for Pacific perspectives in mainstream conversations. His work is sharp, necessary, and increasingly influential – marking him as someone audiences will be hearing much more from.
Felix Jackson – Photographer
After making the move from Wellington to Auckland (via a Showroom22 Creators Assembly), Felix Jackson has rapidly established himself among the country’s most sought-after photographers. From FNZ and Sauce to Ensemble and Viva street style, his work carries a distinct aesthetic that industry heavyweights can’t stop talking about. A clear case of right place, right time – backed by undeniable talent.
Troi Atkins – Content Creator, Stylist
Leveraging her credibility as a rising star in the content creation sphere, Troi Atkins is not only a FNZ Power List alum, but has seamlessly transitioned into styling, bringing both audience awareness and industry polish to her work. With campaigns for Les Mills, Rodney Wayne, Viva, Remix and FNZ under her belt, she’s become a fixture on both set and guest lists. Effortlessly polished and widely recommended, Troi is firmly on the rise.
Avery Turner – PR, Showroom22
Avery Turner is the kind of PR force every brand wants behind them. With experience across global and local clients – and standout projects like NZFW – she combines strategic thinking with a deep understanding of fashion’s cultural pulse. Passionate about community and storytelling, Avery excels at elevating brand perception through smart collaborations, strong media relationships, and an instinct for what matters now. An integral part of the Showroom22 ecosystem (notably manning the supermarket shop) and someone shaping the industry from behind the scenes.