Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, Beyonce and Will.I.Am. They are just some of the rich, royal, and famous from around the world who rely on New Zealand fashion designers to look their best.
There’s a growing list of Kiwi designers making it big overseas. You just have to look at the red carpet to see all the celebrities wearing Kiwi-designed clothes. Here are four New Zealand designers filling wardrobes around the world.
Karen Walker - eccentrically elegant.
Karen Walker is perhaps New Zealand’s best-known fashion designer, lauded internationally for her modern, tailored, androgynous signature style. Her designs include eyewear, jewellery, fragrances, and homeware. Or if you’re after a bow-tie leash for your fashionista foxie – there are pet accessories too. Karen has consistently ranked in The Business of Fashion’s powerhouse BoF 500, truly reflecting her position as a global industry figure shaping the future. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Adele, Lorde, Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Michelle Obama, and Lady Gaga have all been known to don her designs.
Maggie Marilyn – Sustainable beauty.
Maggie Hewitt has been given the tick of approval from Michelle Obama. Her brand Maggie Marilyn has received acclaim around the world – not only for striking, romantic designs, but also for her sustainable design approach. Her clothes are beautiful as well as ethical, and she is committed to manufacturing locally. As well as former FLOTUS she has also dressed Meghan Markle, Karlie Kloss, and Kendall Jenner.
Kiri Nathan – inspired by te whenua, te tangata... the land and the people.
Described as a National Treasure, Kiri Nathan’s label is inspired by the strength and beauty of New Zealand and Māoridom. Kiri produces high-end fashion, Pounamu jewellery, handwoven accessories, and contemporary Kākahu (Māori cloaks) which Beyoncé and Obama have worn and own. Her dresses have graced OSCAR and World Premier red carpets and runways around the world, and as the founder of the Kāhui Fashion Collective, she is mentoring the next generation of Māori designers to do the same.
Georgia Alice – Simple and luxurious.
Georgia Currie is the Kiwi designer behind cool girl label Georgia Alice. Her designs have been spotted in the Instagrams of Margaret Zhang, Solange Knowles, Leandra Medine of the Man Repeller website, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. We can see why! The label is all about creating simple, luxurious ready-to-wear. Pared back and stripped down, her designs have become some of the core pieces that hang in every modern woman's wardrobe.
Looking to outfit yourself like an A-lister? We know a place.
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