With summer on the horizon, Brittany Pooley shares this year’s trends, taking inspiration from local brands.
It's almost been six months since Tearfund's 2017 Ethical Fashion Report publicised that New Zealand Fashion Labels are continuing to address worker exploitation in their supply chains.
In a bid for transparency for consumers, the annual report reflects fashion practices in the industry, giving an account of national and international brands operating within the local economy. This information allows us, as consumers, to make well-informed ethical purchases.
In this report, we acknowledge and celebrate our local labels and their efforts towards progressing the ethical standards of fashion production. Feel light in more ways than one with this local summer report.
Kowtow. Photos: Supplied
The Style: Light Layering
As southerners, we have mastered the art of layering to get us through winter. This year, carry this art form through to summer by layering light.
Go for light fabrics such as cotton, viscose or silk, and layer pieces to construct your attire.
This summer, we can look forward to peeks of wide leg pants under dresses, glances of bralettes, surfacing of shirt collars under tops, layers of garments with asymmetric hems, and light jumpers slouched over dresses.
Amy Dunn's latest collection ''Pulling Strings'' offers the fundamentals for this styling trend. With trans-seasonal pieces, it makes for beautiful and buildable wardrobe staples that are easy to style and wear. Take her white dress with botanical print and layer on her red apron to add depth to your outfit. Finish this look with a pair of her signature drapey pants and a stark white shoe.
Alternatively, you can introduce new trending organic cotton pieces and couple with existing items from your wardrobe.
I adore this look by Kowtow made up of a chambray wrap dress worn on top of a tan V-neck knit dress and wide leg white pant, styled with metallic silver shoes. Organic, Fairtrade, sustainable: you can't go wrong with this transparent New Zealand company.
Penny Sage
The Staple: Little White Dress
The little white dress is a simple way to stay cool this summer.
Available in different fabrics and silhouettes to suit your personal style, this is a wardrobe essential that will keep you looking fresh.
Child-labour-free, NOM*D revolts against the fashion system with their ''Revolution Dress'' made in New Zealand from Japanese cotton. Go white for the latest fashion mode, navy, or, of course, a black. Pair with your favourite pair of Nom*D socks and a low-cut shoe.
Another whiter than white option is Penny Sage's Double Fantasy Dress made from light rayon. Wear alone or layer lightly with neutral toned trousers and sandals for a crisp look.
Miss Crabe
The Cover Up: Robes
From bedrooms to backstreets, robes go public this season.
Styling is easy and versatile; wear wrapped and tied alone or cloaked over a simple slip dress or camisole and pant.
Miss Crabb's Diamond Star Robe is a recognisable, quintessential piece to their brand. It offers a sleek minimal design that drapes you in a light, luxurious silk crepe de chine.
For something a little warmer, try Ovna Ovich's blue Denim Robe from her Tread Softly collection.
With trans-seasonal potential, the robe can become a wardrobe fundamental after summer, too.
SIBED.
The Accessory: Statement Earrings
Statement earrings can optimise your style this summer adding colour and personality to your look.
Play with shape, colour, size, asymmetry and materials, for a fun, spirited look.
With so many to choose from, I personally love these chained hammer studs handmade by local brand SIBEL, each pair unique in size and shape, as well as these Ovna Ovich cast manganese bronze earrings made in collaboration with Natalia Peri.
For something even bolder, try these fun Pom-Pom earrings made by Augusta Buchanan in collaboration with local brand Laura Marris.
Style with a simple outfit with muted tones and minimal make up, for a maximal look.
Zambesi
The Colour: Yellow
From mustard to marigold, shades of yellow are a way to lift your wardrobe this summer.
Yellows are refreshing, vibrant and disruptive to a neutral wardrobe.
This New Zealand Fashion Week's stand out colour was the marigold rush from Zambesi with their bright, tailored suits. While these aren't available until next season, you can feed your desires in the meantime with their marigold Overall.
For a more muted tone, go for Wynn Hamlyn's Gold Bias Silk Slip. As an environmentally conscious brand, Wynn Hamlyn is a symbol for the new generation of conscious fashion. His sandwashed silk satin slip is an elegant piece to wear after the summer sun sets this season.
Complement your yellow with earthy hues and metallic accessories.
Kowtow Boat Dress with tan stripe, layered with cotton pants, crew neck sweater and tan sandals.
The Pattern: Stripe
From seaside to pinstripe, stripes are on trend this season.
Match, mismatch, or style them with other prints for a refreshing summer look.
Kowtow's Building Blocks bring you this season's striped basics. You can pair them with collection pieces, wear alone or build on your current wardrobe.
Wear slouched over simple denim pieces, tailored cottons pants, or use as a foundation layer under a simple cotton dress.
I especially enjoy this styled look featuring their Boat Dress with tan stripe, layered with a cotton pants, and crew neck sweater. Tan sandals are a nice touch to this organic aesthetic.
For a unique fashion experience, visit designer-maker Joseph Yen with his label Thyen, and contemporary weaver Christopher Duncan at their design collective TcR.
While Duncan weaves intricate striped designs in merino wools, linens and silks, Yen plays with stripes in his pocket detailing creating for bespoke pieces that will exceed the summer.
Style with Thyen-metalworks' unrefined handcrafted rings as a finishing touch to this authentic look.
Lastly, if you're searching for something distinct to your personal style, consider joining the home-sewing and dressmaking revival and make your own striped garment for summer.
I recommend Papercut patterns for contemporary styles and quality fit. I created this Sway Dress sewn up in blue and white stripe yarn-died linen. Check out your local fabric stores for more inspiration.
As consumers, we can help to change the ethical practices carried out by New Zealand and international companies by educating ourselves about where our clothing comes from and by shopping local this summer.
