Young designer Amber Whitecliffe held a Bloggers event instore in her pretty Parnell Road boutique on Thursday night to showcase her current Mrs Pinto collection and host fashion journalist Evelyn Ebrey. Evelyn, who incidentally covered Australian Fashion Week for Thread in 2013, interviewed Amber about her goals, her background, and her inspiration for the new range – which draws upon her marriage this year to become Mrs Pinto, to her husband of Indian and Portugese descent, resulting in a collection of red and white and floral prints. It had a novel approach to the usual collection opening; press could fill out a form with feedback for the designer and their picks of the collection as well as a 20% discount for sales on the night – all savvy moves from the designer who also does her own store management, income taxes, PR, and marketing. She also cuts and makes the clothing right there in the store; the large table is in fact a cutting table by day and customers can get alterations and made to measure.
The designer has had a long affiliation in the fashion industry, working for Trelise Cooper, and at textile suppliers Hawes & Freer, which gave her great insights into the production and business aspects of the industry. I recall seeing Amber’s collections at fashion college while she attended her family’s arts and design college Whitecliffe, where she graduated with a BFA Majoring in Fashion Design in 2009, and then her show at Mt Eden Bowling Club over High Tea along with swimwear designer Emma Highfield. At the time we said on Thread; “The SS12/13 range featured a stand-out print of tapestry sourced from India. Amber’s day job at Hawes & Freer has apparently helped her already keen eye for fabric. My favourite outfit was a tapestry miniskirt with a black shirt. The show itself was thoroughly enjoyable, with the bowling club proving a charming venue for a high tea with its retro feel and walls lined in old certificates and photos. Clothes were accessorised with flower rings by Handmade by Marie jewellery and makeup was by Phoenix Cosmetics.”
Of her 2009 Whitecliffe collection Thread writer Anya Brighouse said, “Amber Whitecliffe was another obvious crowd darling with her tiffany lamp-inspired collection called ‘Smashed Palette’. The dresses were also cleverly constructed with lighting inside them, again, also very costume-like. The colours from the lamps were carried through to the fabrics on the dresses, which is where you actually get to see her tailoring skills. Assured.”
Amber opened the doors to her boutique in March 2014. In August 2014, she showed for the first time at New Zealand Fashion Week.
The advantages of buying Amber Whitecliffe are obvious; it’s all New Zealand-made, there’s a limited edition run of each style and of the prints she has made up, and you can have them adjusted to fit. The sizes are 6-14 and are mostly youthful in a pretty and feminine way; floaty silk tunics, split maxi skirts and a touch of tailoring in buttoned blazers. You can shop the collection online at www.amberwhitecliffe.com and instore at 3/323 Parnell Road Auckland.
Megan Robinson 31st October 2014
Leave a Reply