All the looks from the 2025 Taite Music Prize

Auckland's Q Theatre came alive on Tuesday night as the 2025 Taite Music Prize drew New Zealand's independent music community out for an evening of celebration and style.

Electronic artist Tiopira McDowell (Ngāti Hine), who performs as Mokotron, took home the top accolade for his acclaimed album WAEREA.

While the awards honoured the best in local music, the black carpet told its own story.

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Indie pop artist and 2023 Taite Music Prize winner Princess Chelsea wore an outfit inspired by figure skating - featuring love heart gloves, icy makeup, a Gloria scarf, and comfortable boots.

"Honestly I just went on affordable websites, just found a bunch of crap and tried it on, and was like, this is the outfit I'm wearing.

"The gloves are obviously inspired by Karl Lagerfeld, though not official, and the boots, I feel like I can walk and it's very femme for me. The makeup, I got Ares Artistry to do it, they're two girls on K Road, you can go into their studio and get your hair and makeup done really quick.

"The look is, basically just scour the internet, come up with your own look, put some shit together."

Auckland artist VIDA, nominated for the Best Independent Debut award, embodied the essence of her first album Aquatopialien with a look by New Zealand designer Jenny Ruan.

"I got the makeup done by Tallulah McLean and nails by Danica. Some parts I got an an opshop. It's kind of giving Björk's Pagan Poetry.I'm a huge sci-fi fan and I love aquatic vibes."

Kermath wore a futuristic rave fit, with pieces from Cyberdog in London, and New Zealand brands Universal Works and TIY Studios.

"I'm wearing friends' brands because I love repping Aotearoa."

Anna Coddington, who was one of the finalists for the 2025 Taite Music Prize, wore a vintage yellow silk shirt, a Moochi dress on sale, Doc Martens, and a blazer she scored at the flea market.

"I'm wearing some random bits and pieces that I pulled together out of my wardrobe yesterday in a panic thinking, why haven't I organised something to wear. But I managed to tie it together, to my own satisfaction at least.

"The earrings are a great feature, these earrings are made by a Māori lady, her business is called Whakakai, and they're really well-priced but really beautiful. She handmakes them and does a lot of creative upcycling."

Byllie Jean, recipient of the Best Independent Debut award, wore a hand-dyed outfit resembling the tino rangatiranga flag, designed by Indian brand NorBlack Nor White.

"This top actually has pants that go with it that are black, white and green, so the whole thing's actually a Palestine support. But the top separate is like tino, so I got both pieces."

RNZ National presenter Kara Rickard wore a black Harris Tapper knot dress that she got at a sample sale.

"My daughter said it looks like I'm going to a tangi in a trashbag. I guess it's open to interpretation."

Cowboy boots from Texas, a jacket from London, and a handbag from Mexico formed the basis of Best Independent Debut nominee Georgia Lines' outfit.

"I'm wearing a lot of different things, the cowboy boots I got a few years ago, they have lightning bolts on the side and haven't been worn many times, but today felt appropriate. I'm wearing a dress from Wynn Hamlyn that I've had for a really long time, and a jacket I brought from London, very cosy.

"Then I got this really cool bag at the markets in Mexico. It's made of lolly wrappers. It was a whirlwind trying to figure out what to wear tonight, so I put everything together and now I'm sweating in my jacket, it's very warm in here."