In this latest INDUSTRY NEWS column for April 2014 we look at recent happenings in the New Zealand fashion industry.
THE BODY Elle Macpherson Intimates
Back in front of the camera at age 50 is Elle herself, shot in New York by Regan Cameron. Elle Macpherson says, “I wanted to address everyday bras at accessible pricing with unique and easy to find merchandising in a crowded market.” Thus, the new THE BODY collection has four silhouettes drawing upon the 25-year-old Elle Macpherson Intimates collection. THE BODY BOOST with maximum lift and plunge, THE BODY FIT sporty, sexy demi-cut bra, THE BODY NATURAL unlined for a natural lift, and THE BODY SMOOTH for a smooth and invisible look. The Body Collection is available from April 2014 online at www.ellemacphersonintimates.com and at Farmers Department Stores and Bendon Lingerie Stores nationwide.
Salasai Website and Home collection launch
Thread loved the Salasai AW14 collection Liberté et D’Amour when it was shown at NZ fashion Week last year and now it’s available to purchase from your couch at their new ecommerce site. The website will also carry the new Salasai Home collection so you can dress your home as well as you – and perhaps buy a cushion for the couch you’re sitting on while shopping. Salasai Home draws upon the men’s and women’s clothing line and features limited edition of custom-printed duvets ($330), pillowcase sets ($125) and cushions ($120). Check it out at http://salasai.com/
Men’s fashion label Klou’De
Klou’De (pronounced cloudy) is a fashion forward men’s streetwear label crafted by a collective of five people. “Our background and brief story started with us in our garage while at university making cut and sew T-shirts to order” says Klou’De’s Korey Skipper. “After expanding to a point where we could no longer keep up with these orders we decided to take our operation and systems a step further. This eventually led to us designing our samples in Wellington where we are now based, mass-producing our final stock in China through a very reliable source. We have recently finished releasing our winter collection ‘Naive & Mislead.’ Shirts $120, jackets $220. View the Winter 2014 catalogue here and the Klou’De website at www.kloudeclothing.co.nz
Fashion label: UNION
Joining the formidable fashion knowledge, long-time friends and designers Wendy Nelson (formerly of Chlorofile) and Shona Parore (formerly of Trelise Cooper), have created a new venture, a womenswear label entitled UNION. All garments are designed and mostly made in New Zealand. UNION opened a boutique in Ponsonby’s Three Lamps in December 2013 stocking clothing and edited homeware including candles, linen tea-towels and cushions. View the UNION lookbook Winter 2014 here.
Angela Stone ‘The Style Guide’
My husband actually sat next to this stylist at the moochi show at Wellington Fashion Week and by coincidence the same day I got an invite to her launch. Must be feminine intuition. Fashion stylist Angela Stone, who runs fashion stylist training courses in Auckland and Christchurch, is launching her new book, The Style Guide, to help women solve their problems with dressing with her easy to follow solutions learned from years of helping style women. The book is $39.99 at her website, angelastone.co.nz. Stone is also launching Angela Stone Wine, so I’m sure there will be lots on hand to drink at the book launch.
Semi-Permanent 2014
A highlight each year for me is attending Semi-Permanent creative design conference in Aotea Centre to hear from Creatives, and be inspired. This year, the fashion speakers are Annelie Augustin & Odély Teboul from Berlin label, Augustin Teboul, which combines ready-to-wear and haute couture. It looks a m a z i n g. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets to Semi-Permanent Auckland.
The Commons Collective
The Commons Collective is holding its first bi-annual charity fashion show at The Commons, 21 Hurstmere Road Takapuna on 6.30pm on April 30th. Guests at the winter fashion show outside under shelter at McKenzies receive a glass of Most & Chandon on arrival and canapes throughout by The Commons Head Chef, Nick Honeyman. Tickets are $25 with proceeds going to the charity Trelise is a patron of – Breast Cancer Research Trust – and can be purchased from all retailers CO-OP by Trelise Cooper, Lululemon, Lana Boutique, Make Hearts Race and at The Commons. Sponsored by Harcourts, Jerry Clayton BMW, Moet & Chandon, L’Oreal Paris, and SNOW by Samantha Snow.
Talking Trends – NPH charity event
Next month, on 15 May, NPH New Zealand – a charitable trust that works to give hope to at risk children who otherwise would not survive by providing them with a permanent home, an education and most importantly, a future – will host Talking Trends, a night that will see some of the most talented and well-respected names in New Zealand design unite to impart their knowledge. Guest speakers on the night will be fashion power couple and editors of the impossibly cool Black magazine, Grant Fell and Rachael Churchward, Jeremy Hanson, editor of Home New Zealand magazine and Debbie Cavit, owner of luxe interior design consultancy Cavit&Co. All four will share their tips on the biggest trends in their respective industries with those who like to stay a step or two ahead of the rest of the pack. Tickets $60 including nibbles and a glass of wine available online here.
Megan Robinson
20th April 2014
Leave a Reply