New Zealand Designer Series – Penny Sage

WORDS Natalie Petrevski PHOTOGRAPHY Robert Tennent PUBLISHED Tue, 16 Jun 2020 - 9:00 am

A love letter to New Zealand fashion. As the past few months have been a challenging time for all in many ways, this is especially prevalent for business owners along with the fashion and creative industries alike. As Australia and New Zealand begin to ease restrictions, this means many are now able to get back to creating and collaborating. To celebrate this positive step forward, we wanted to shine a light on our friends and neighbours in New Zealand fashion as part of an ongoing series shot by Auckland based photographer and creative Robert Tennent.

Next up in the series is Penny Sage, an independent clothing label by designer Kate Megaw. Since launching in 2011, Megaw has been producing quality, beautiful garments, all that are made in New Zealand by local makers in Auckland and Hamilton. A wonderful wardrobe creation of pieces to mix and match from every day-wear, workwear and date night delights. See the interview and full shoot with Kate and her small team of four below.

Tell us about your brand… 

Penny Sage is an independent clothing label, designed and made in New Zealand. We create beautiful quality, special garments that can be worn and loved for years to come. We are a small team of four, working together in Grey Lynn, Auckland.

A part of my work I love the most is… 

Working with talented creative people that I admire and love so much.

What are your most cherished rituals?  

At home, I love mornings with my one-year-old Remy –– having cuddles, eating breakfast together, chasing each other around the house. At work, I like sharing hot drinks and snacks with my team and having a giggle.

What are you reading / watching / listening to?

Reading Patia’s Fantasy World Master List of Resources on How to Dismantle Systemic Racism, watching Dianxi Xiaog's soothing cooking videos and listening to Collected Pieces by Mary Lattimore.

How do you stay healthy (mentally and / or physically)?

I love big walks in nature, sitting at the beach and getting out of the city.

My current project is…

Preparing new releases from our lockdown projects. During the New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown period my team worked from home to create new textiles from left over past season production materials. They’ve made beautiful hand painted fabrics, patchwork textiles and experimented with natural indigo dyeing. I’m excited to share these mini collections this month.