Ready to embrace the warmer days and nights in style? Look no further than the work of many of our talented local creatives who have released collections with long, lazy days and hot summer nights in mind.
The incredibly inspiring Vicki Taylor is the designer behind the Taylor label and Creative Director at Ponsonby style destination, The Shelter. She calls summer “the season of contrasts. You’re dressing for fun-filled events like weddings and Christmas celebrations, and then you have those blue sky days spent at the beach that call for easy pieces that allow you to look stylish yet are relaxed enough to handle the heat of summer.” She loves wearing natural fibres, “so a great white cotton shirt that can be worn to work, or with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of shorts, is essential.”
She also can’t go past a casual t-shirt dress that can work from every day to the beach, with the Taylor Solstice Dress a key pick. “It works perfectly with slides for every day, but also over swimwear after a day at the beach. It’s 100% cotton, so will travel easily in your suitcase, and enable you to look great no matter where you’re heading to this summer.” The slip dress is the silhouette of choice this season for many of her clients, and she designed the Tie Exude Slip to be customisable for multiple occasions, with either a low v, or high straight neckline. “A slip is perfect for layering over a summer tee, or under a sheer layer for evenings out.”
Lastly, the preternaturally chic designer says that her final summer must-have might come as a surprise, “but you can’t go without a great piece of knitwear. When the sun goes down in the evening, you’ll want a light layer to pull over. I have our Cracked Sweater in mind, or a cosy cashmere-cotton blend piece from our Recline collection.”
Another much-loved local designer, Deborah Caldwell is the Creative Director at STORM, and also put forward some top options for carefree summer dressing. The label’s latest collection is called ‘The Revival’, and within it you’ll find satin draping juxtaposed with structured utilitarian pieces like the Cargo Belted Skirt and Jacket. There is also a hint of 60s styling, while “moody sunset hues and sandy tones are not only a nod to the imminent warmer weather but also infuse a touch of nostalgia." Deborah’s favourite piece from ‘The Revival’ capsule is the Drape Front Midi Dress in champagne. “I love the elegance of the shape and how the fabric falls; it can be polished and refined or rocked up by using the belt as a necktie, and worn with boots or heels.”
When it comes to fun, sassy party pieces, Tuesday Label’s Landers and Sammy dresses are super versatile and incredibly flattering for day or night. Inspired by the High Desert landscape in Southern California, the label’s latest collection ‘Desert Moon’ features new styles like these that were designed with “a summer of parties, long lunches and beach hangs with friends” in mind.
Tuesday designer Biddie Cooksley says she was inspired by a holiday earlier this year exploring the magic of the South Californian desert, with the new collection featuring summer-ready dresses to be juxtaposed with heavy cowboy boots, and soft flowing styles contrasted by modern suiting. “I’m always drawn to nature and its beauty, and I love anything that’s a little bit different,” says Biddie. “The desert is truly like nothing else I’ve experienced – it’s incredibly mesmerising. The landscape, the vastness, the heat, the stillness, it captured my heart.”
A favourite with the moochi design team, the label’s Bay Dress, is “the dress to summon the spirit of breezy summer and seaside style,” while the Region Dress, is “set to be your resort inspired go-to. It is perfect for day to night dressing, offering a colour-matched tie to cinch at the waist for a styled look.” Meanwhile, “for the days you need a sleek, modern look at an easy reach, the moochi Resume Dress will be your go-to for effortless styling. With adjustable gathered sleeve hems and side splits at the hem, it is also reversible in design and pairs beautifully alongside statement heels and accessories for elevated evening attire.”
Road trip must-haves for a season in the sun include a great sneaker style. Thankfully, the super popular New Balance 327 is now available in four perfectly pastel options – a fresh spin on the heritage go-to.
Adopted as a style essential, the updated 327 is a fun retro inspired, contemporary expression of 70s heritage designs, and the latest colour way pack includes ‘Moonbeam with silver moss’, ‘Moonbeam with December sky’, ‘Moonbeam with grey violet’ and ‘Moonbeam with ice blue’. Perfect for teaming with denim cut-offs or floaty, print dresses, they are also incredibly comfortable. It’s a win all round!
Sunglasses are a summer non-negotiable, and local eyewear label, Bored George offers a selection of road trip, beach and festival-ready frames, as well as a restock of their sell-out Rhia style just in time for Christmas. Available in three colour ways, Latte, Tort and Black, this classic cat eye design effortlessly elevates any look. I love the fact that Bored George uses only the latest biodegradable products to craft its eyewear, like plant-based acetate from the Mazzucchelli factory in Milan, Italy.
When it comes to essential extras and choosing gifts for the fashion fan in your life, a stellar choice is the new Papinelle x Karen Walker collection. For the fifth consecutive year, Papinelle and Karen Walker have worked together to bring you sleepwear that “transcends its traditional boundaries,” and Dress Up to Do Nothing is a joy to behold. A collection that redefines relaxation and invites you to elevate even your most ordinary moments, it includes everything from lush robes and slips to cute tees, and even a matching silk eye mask in a sweet 60s floral print.
Lastly, lingerie lovers will fall head over heels for the debut collection from OHEN, a new luxury underwear line brought to you by Anja Bucher (ex-Lonely Lingerie designer of 10 years) and Lu Blade-Bittle. The work they've done is incredible – driven by design, function and the actual needs of women, they've created underwear that provided the shapes and support wearers need, without compromising on garment beauty or materials.
The talented locals spent 18 months rigorously sampling and fit testing the collection before release, and even developed custom underwires and stunning brushed gold hardware that takes your smalls to a whole new level.
Sustainable elements were also high on the list of considerations too, with key pieces cut from lace made up of 85% recycled nylon, and the use of Lenzing modal – a popular bio-based fabric derived from beech trees.
The collection is currently only available on line at ohenunderwear.com, but there are also plans for pop-up fits studios in the future. (HELENE RAVLICH)
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Published: November 2023