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 slowly 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.
First up is favoured ready to wear women’s designer Wynn Hamlyn. Since creating his eponymous label in 2014, Wynn’s collections play a strong focus on classical tailoring with a youthful spirit. Forever creating unique pieces with a restrained elegance. See the full shoot and interview below.
Tell us about your brand…
Wynn Hamlyn is a ready to wear women's label. Our collection is based on craft and innovation. We have big focuses on suiting and knitwear and we love collaborating. Our new season (fall 20) features a jewellery collaboration with New Zealand jeweller Maeve Woodhouse (Hera Saabi). We are 5 Years old this year.
A part of my work I love the most is…
Finding a new idea or vision for a collection and seeing it come to life in the first samples.
What are your most cherished rituals?
Cleaning the studio after a collection, putting things away, and starting the next with a blank canvas - physically and mentally.
What are you reading / watching / listening to?
Back listening to the Russell Brand podcast, which is back on Spotify and has a new episode with Ricky Gervais. Also BoF podcast about how people in fashion are changing due to COVID-19.
How do you stay healthy (mentally and / or physically)?
Running quite a bit, to keep my head clear... Socialising again - does that count?
My current state of mind is…
Optimistic, fresh and inspired about positive changes.
My current project is…
Trying to train our new kitten, Dennis. and also reupholstering a chair in the studio.
My hopes and dreams for the future are…
Keep doing what I'm doing, but in a healthier, more sustainable and achievable way.
What do you appreciate the most right now?
I appreciate everyone supporting us right now, people have turned out in a big way to support local brands and it has been hugely felt by us.
I miss ...
I do miss travel. I didn't travel much but I was going to be at the Resort market in Paris in June, so I will look forward to the next one when we can travel again.
