A Celebration of Strength & Identity

Ivonn Bridal Couture is proud to present Mana Motuhake, a Māori bridal collection that celebrates whakapapa, individuality, and the strength of the modern wāhine. Rooted in the concept of self-determination and sovereignty, mana motuhake represents the ability to determine one’s own path, to live with self-reliance, and to honour Māori values and tikanga.

This collection is more than fashion, it is an expression of identity and empowerment. Each gown invites brides to embrace their unique journey while honouring their connection to te ao Māori. Designed to be treasured for generations, these gowns are not simply garments for one day, but a taonga, heirloom woven with meaning, artistry, and cultural depth.

Embroidery and Design — Storytelling in Every Stitch

The Mana Motuhake collection stands apart for its exclusive embroidery. Each motif carries layers of meaning, inspired by the natural world of Aotearoa, native flora, and Māori pūrākau (mythology). These designs speak of resilience, growth, and connection, weaving cultural values into patterns that are both timeless and contemporary.

At Ivonn Bridal Couture, we don’t follow trends — we create legacy. Each gown carries embroidery born from our vision and refined over months of collaboration with Māori digital artist Toi Kahira. What began as storytelling in sketches transformed into intricate artistry. Every stitch tells a story.

The Mana Motuhake Māori Bridal Collection is also our first ready-to-wear offering. Gowns are available in standard sizing and made in our Hawke’s Bay studio. In addition, we continue to offer custom couture gowns, one-of-a-kind designs tailored to a bride’s body shape and story. Learn more about our Custom Couture Gowns and how we bring your vision to life.

The Designer Behind – Ivonn Bridal Couture

Ivonn Aranui is the designer and storyteller behind Ivonn Bridal Couture. She founded the label to honour whakapapa and elevate wāhine Māori in the bridal world. After nearly a decade building her career in Sydney, Australia, she returned home to Aotearoa. That return grounded her mahi in whenua, whānau, and cultural identity.

Her debut ready-to-wear collection, the Mana Motuhake Māori Bridal Collection, reflects that journey home. It symbolises not only a physical return, but also a spiritual one. Every gown she designs carries the mauri of the wāhine who wears it.

Ivonn creates with intention. She wants each gown to empower. Her work is about legacy, love, and the unapologetic visibility of Māori excellence. To read more about her story, visit our About Ivonn page.

Redefining Bridal Fashion in Aotearoa

Ivonn Bridal Couture exists to redefine what bridal fashion looks and feels like in Aotearoa. The brand was born from a need for representation — a longing to see wāhine Māori reflected in the world of luxury bridalwear.

Ivonn set out to create more than beautiful dresses, she wanted to build a movement where inclusivity, identity, and innovation lead the way. With Mana Motuhake, that vision comes to life. This collection is bold, unapologetic, and deeply connected to culture, offering brides the chance to wear their story and to carry their heritage into the next chapter of their lives.

Each gown is designed and handcrafted in Ivonn’s Hawke’s Bay studio, where couture craftsmanship meets cultural storytelling. Every detail, from fabric selection to the final embroidery, is created with care, intention, and a deep respect for legacy.

The Mana Motuhake Collection launches 1 September 2025.
Available to order in ready-to-wear standard sizing through the Ivonn Bridal Couture studio in Napier and online at ivonn.co.nz. For brides seeking a one-off gown crafted to their body shape and story, explore our Custom Couture service.

👉 Book your consultation today and be one of the first to experience the Mana Motuhake Māori Bridal Collection. Step into a gown that is more than fashion — it is your taonga, your legacy.

Credits

Photographer: @pjshepherdphotography
Models: @sky.wairama_ & @tearapuketapu
Hairdresser: @ruby_serena_hair_beauty
MUA: @inspire_beautymua
Flax Flowers: @jades_maori_handcrafts
Earrings: @waiapuroad