Stylist Jessica Amor discusses her motivation behind the latest Style fashion shoot and all the local fashion retailers that made it possible.
When we shot our April fashion issue back in early March, we had no idea that we would be looking back at our ‘glossy’ pages on screens and from the confines of our ‘bubble’. All we knew was that we wanted to showcase as many New Zealand designers and retailers as nine pages would allow. Supporting local business is now more relevant and important than ever and so I would like to thank everyone involved in our mini editorials and to our Style family for giving us a platform to share them with you.
Pulling together a fashion shoot is easier said than done. However, with the abundance of high calibre designers and boutiques accessible to us locally, it makes for pretty smooth sartorial sailing.
It’s very easy to fall in love with the Vuittons and Guccis of the world with their exorbitant marketing budgets and global reach, but I promise, you would fall head over heels for our local designers and retailers if you only knew their story.
Take our Tūranga shoot for example. The now iconic local landmark set the scene for New Zealand-made suiting. The Helen Cherry, Mina, Maggie Marilyn, WORLD, Twenty Seven Names and Wynn Hamlyn pieces featured we’re all made here in Aotearoa. That means somewhere in New Zealand, someone was employed to lovingly and skillfully craft these garments for the benefit of the customer. And don’t forget those distinctly ‘not so common’ bags, cleverly designed in Wanaka by Common People Studios.
World 4575 Mawkishness Houndstooth Blazer, $799, World 4576 Mawkishness Houndstooth Waistcoat, $449, and World 4578 Mawkishness Houndstooth Trouser, $449, World; Common People Leather Card Wallet, $160, commonpeople.co.nz. Model: Bella, Portfolio Model Agency
Mina Obom Blazer Silver, $580, and Mina Mali Pant Silver, $360, minaforher.com; Witchery Frill Blouse Pebble, $139.90, Witchery; Dyrberg/Kern Pletortca Silver Brooch, $179, Dyrberg/Kern Pletortca Silver Necklace, $399, and Dyrberg/Kern Pletortca Silver Earrings, $219, Dyrberg/Kern; Common People Tote, $290, commonpeople.co.nz; Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Whiteskate Superstar Sneaker, $565, Seletti Concept Store Christchurch.
Dyrberg/Kern Caramel Gold/Black Large Oval Earrings, $169, Dyrberg/Kern; Helen Cherry Bacall DB Jacket Plum, $759, Helen Cherry Tailored Shorts Plum, $339, and Helen Cherry Elson Blouse Orchid, $429, Workshop; Vera & Josie Decoration Scarf, $29, and Nude Novine Boot Black, $189.95, Andrea Biani.
Twenty Seven Names I Think I love Her Beret, $230, twentysevennames.co.nz; Dyrberg/Kern Artus Drop Earrings, $199, Dyrberg/Kern Afiana Necklace, $159, and Dyrberg/Kern Jeanis Chain, $199, Dyrberg/Kern; Wynn Hamlyn Curve Blazer, $869, Treasure Box By Biani.
Common People Leather Cross-body Bag $385, commonpeople.co.nz; Wynn Hamlyn Partner Trouser, $409, and Unisa Kiby-Ks Fog Suede Pumps, $239.90, Treasure Box By Biani.
In our ‘Room to Move’ editorial, locally designed and manufactured label IVYBLU delivered us the ultimate silk skirt to swish around in. The navy and white chrysanthemum print skirt was brought to life by local dance teacher Chloe Levings.
Rolla’s Classic Rib Cardigan, $119.99, Mars Oyster Necklace, $210, and Zoe Kratzmann Dote Boot, $369, Uncommon Ground Boutique; IvyBlu Kitty Skirt, $299, IvyBlu.
Mina Studio Pant, $279, and Mina Esa Top, $239, minaforher.com; Archer House Houndstooth Scarf, $29, Ivy Blu; Mars Lotte Black Sunglasses, $250, Uncommon Ground Boutique.
Ingrid Starnes Purist Dress Lilac, $449, ingridstarnes.com; Mars Esme Drop Earrings, $219, Uncommon Ground Boutique; World Nostalgia Cape/Blazer Pink Tweed, $899, World; Archer House Love Is In The Air Scarf, $19, Ivy Blu.
Kowtow Dadat Blazer, $349, kowtowclothing.com; Storm Newton Silk Dress, $349, Storm; Emporio Italia Camoscio Boot, $439, Fashion Society
Acler Empire Dress $599, Ballantynes; Dyrberg/Kern Meandres Gold Necklace, $159, and Dyrberg/Kern Meandres Gold Earrings, $169, Dyrberg/Kern.
And it’s not just about womenswear either. In our ‘It’s Elemental’ story, we featured a beautiful men’s shearling jacket. This jacket is designed and manufactured here in Christchurch by Black Design for locally owned boutique Fashion Society (which employs 15 people in Christchurch, by the way). Pair that jacket with houndstooth trousers from WORLDman and violà, head-to-toe New Zealand-made menswear.
Ashleigh wears: Vera & Josie Decoration Scarf, $29, and Skin Corban Brown Croc Boot, $249.95, Andrea Biani; Dyrberg/Kern Olivia Silver Earrings, $179, Dyrberg/Kern Vanya Crossbody Bag, $329, and Maisey Guitar Strap, $99, Dyrberg/Kern; World Homesick Green Coat, $999, World; Maggie Marilyn Pining For You Dress, $495, Ballantynes. Rob wears: Fashion Society Men’s Flight Jacket FS31 Aviator, $2849, Fashion Society; James Perse Black Crew, $149, Workshop; Worldman 4653 Tarkovsky Trouser Check, $399, World; Hush Puppies Wisconsin Boot, $199.95, Andrea Biani.
Vanessa Bruno Marbella Belted Coat, $1239, Workshop; Karen Walker Graphite Midi Dress $595, Ballantynes; Dyrberg/Kern Minoica Gold Earrings Large, $169, and Carianna Glove Burgundy, $129, Dyrberg/Kern; Headband stylist’s own.
Ted Baker Semi Plain Flat Cap, $129, Ballantynes; Working Style Atlantic Blue Oxford Shirt, $169, and Working Style Beige City Chino, $299, Working Style, Worldman 4657 Brad Check Coat, $899, World.
C&M Fae Dress, $659, Ballantynes; Dyrberg/Kern Olivia Silver Earrings, $179, and Mabel Glove Black, $149, Dyrberg/Kern.
When you’re eventually allowed out of your bubble, make a point of perusing a few of our local boutiques. Our retailers are exceptional, the staff are world-class and the product selection equally so. Kirstine of Biani Treasure Box in Merivale Mall has some serious styling prowess, Cara at Workshop in The Crossing has this seemingly magical ability to transport you to a boutique in New York or Paris and Sarah from Seletti Concept Store on Normans Road offers the warmest welcomes and a colourful, invigorating environment in which to experience some premium designer wares. And that’s just to name a few.
We are so spoilt for choice here in New Zealand. I strongly encourage you to discover these designers and fashion destinations for yourself, as soon as it is safe to do so, and support our amazing local talent.
Models, Portfolio Model Agency
Photographer Charlie Jackson, Charlie Rose Creative
Stylist Jessica Amor, Alchemy Styling
Hair, Tuscany Hamel, GM Hair
Makeup, Pearl Babington