For our latest Designer Profile of a New Zealand fashion designer, we chat to Jasmine Kroeze of Pinch & Punch and the launch of her menswear and womenswear brand and website, www.pinchandpunch.co.nz
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background in design?
I was born in rural New Zealand, after my Dutch parents emigrated in the 1970’s. After studying fashion design in Tauranga, I took on my first full time job offer as a pattern maker at Pumpkin Patch. That lasted all of 6 weeks, when I was snapped up by their design team.
Having worked at Pumpkin Patch for five years, I had the opportunity to work on many different facets of the industry from styling photoshoots and creating t-shirt graphics, right through to the technical side of fashion production, garment production and cost negotiation. A highlight of my time there was working with the talented Boyswear designer, Sammy. He would would let me run with the ideas I had, as a young designer it was extremely encouraging.
After 5 years at Pumpkin Patch, I wanted to see the world and travel. Kenrick and I were newly married and we bought one-way tickets to Amsterdam. We spent a couple of years travelling Asia, Africa and Europe. I worked retail in Amsterdam and interned with a Dutch designer, Conny Groenewegen.
Then we realised how beautiful New Zealand is and we came home to enjoy it. My husband launched his photography business, Kenrick Rhys Photography, and I worked in off-shore fashion production for a few years before deciding to start my own brand. And here I am!
What does the name Pinch & Punch come from?
The name Pinch & Punch explores the expression of fighting for what one believes in. This was always played out in the school playground where girls would pinch and boys would punch. Quite fitting for a menswear and womenswear label.
Who is the Pinch & Punch woman & man you design for?
The Pinch & Punch girl and guy are conscious of style and ethics, they are kind to the planet and to people. They are aware of the negative effect that humans are having on our planet and how we are exploiting other people, just for the sake of our own excess. There was no way I could create a brand that was unethical, even though it’s by far the harder road to take.
The design recipe is a fine balance of premium fabrics, quality garments, great fit and a relaxed silhouette.
Where can we buy Pinch & Punch?
Pinch & Punch is available online at our online store pinchandpunch.co.nz
And! We just scored our first stockist The Collective in Christchurch.
What are your plans in the near future with Pinch & Punch?
The first range is a slow-release collection, the approach is a little unconventional. Going against the grain of mass production and excessive choice, one menswear piece and one Womenswear piece is made available on the first of each month. You got it, Pinch & Punch for the first of the month!
As Pinch & Punch is growing organically, the next range will be slightly bigger with more options. There are a few things lined up, but mum’s the word for now.
What is the inspiration behind the first collection?
Summer ‘15/’16 is a capsule collection entitled ‘Bandseye’. The inspiration is an amalgamation of music, travel and cinema. ‘Bandseye’ is a loose term for when one is flipping out, I explored the feeling and applied it in the sense of feeling overwhelmed with options, with potential future paths. Basically, it’s how I felt launching my own brand… the liberation of having the world at your feet, clashing with the edginess of having a blank slate in front of me.
Ethos
I am very conscious of the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, so I favour the use of natural fibres where possible. Design is not dictated by trends, encouraging customers to buy quality that will last season upon season. Ranges are smaller in size and Pinch & Punch stands for buying less and buying well. Our spending power does make a difference.
WHERE TO BUY
You can buy Pinch & Punch at their website and at Christchurch stockist, The Collective at 363 Colombo Street, Christchurch
03 366 7117
Find Pinch & Punch on Instagram and on Facebook here.
Megan Robinson
16th November 2015
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