From designing fits for her Barbie dolls, to being touted as a star at the Toi Wearable Arts Competition, Ruby Green has been taking on New York in style – a dream that once seemed worlds away from her family’s farm in Ngatea.
In June, the Hauraki Plains College student attended the Vogue College of Fashion Summer School Programme, where she visited the iconic magazine’s headquarters, took classes in fashion styling, and mocked-up an editorial shoot at the Condé Nast studios.
It was an “absolutely incredible” experience for the 17-year-old, who spent her days living and studying in the city that never sleeps.
“Vogue always felt like such a far away dream from my family farm in Ngatea, but after going, it opened my eyes to how much is out there,” Ruby said. “You just have to find and make opportunities for yourself.”
Fashion has been front of mind for Ruby for as long as she can remember. She first learned how to sew from her grandma, and then took lessons with Turua seamstress Doreen Douglas.
As a child, she designed and created clothes for Barbie dolls as well as herself, and dove into the branch of styling while at Vogue Summer School.
“Our final project [at the school] was a mock-up editorial shoot for Vogue where we had shoot days at Condé Nast studios and shot with professional photographers and models.
“It was so incredible,” she told The Profile. “To be taught by some of the greats in the industry and put it all into action on the second-to-last day of classes felt like an absolute dream.”
But Ruby hasn’t just showcased her talents in one of the world’s biggest fashion capitals, she’s also been recognised as a star back home.

On her return from New York, she competed in the Toi Wearable Arts Competition held at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton, unveiling a garment she made from upcycled ballet materials such as pointe shoes, ballet flats, tights, and costume ribbons.
The materials were collected from Ruby’s own items amassed throughout her dance career, as well as from op shops, the Paeroa Refuse Centre, and other performers from Thames Hauraki Dance Theatre – where she’s been training since the age of four.
“It took me many hours to create the look, particularly sourcing the materials,” she said. “I love the garment because it tells so many different stories. I know how many memories my own items hold, so I love that others’ are in the garment too.”
Ruby’s hard work paid off, and after competing in the competition three times before, this year she received the ‘Star of the Night’ regional winner award, plus an additional three awards for ‘Excellent Garment Construction’, ‘Creative Concept’ and ‘Innovative Use of Materials’.
“To win ‘Star of the Night’ was an incredible way to finish off my Toi Journey during college,” she said. “It was such a high after just returning from New York and with just two days in between.
“Toi is something I discovered on my own and had to do outside of school, so to see those hours I put into creating the garment pay off was really special and encouraging.”
And Ruby’s passion for fashion is not stopping there.
Next year, she is heading to university to study towards a Bachelor’s Degree of Design, majoring in Fashion and Communications (Marketing). She hopes to secure as many internships as possible during her tertiary study, with dreams of spending a summer abroad at Australian Vogue before jetting off to Milan – for which she is already learning Italian.
“I am actually very proud to see how far I have come, but most of all astonished at how many opportunities have opened up for me this year,” Ruby said.
“I just feel incredibly inspired by the experience and it’s shown me that a dream is always possible if you work hard to get there.”
BY KELLEY TANTAU