New Zealanders have a unique story, we are passionate people, obsessed with nature and with locally made products. New Zealand fashion is no different, designers and consumers alike are enthusiastic about supporting New Zealand made products.
This season, as New Zealand rolls into colder months, we look at new collections from New Zealand designers that not only speak volumes of the creative talent harbored here, but also of the innovative use of our natural resources and celebration of onshore production. Perino yarns by family owned business Woolyarns New Zealand, is a unique natural product previously seen widely in the tourist market. In more recent years, the Perino team have refined their yarns, allowing new textures and an increased variety of colour. Following New Zealand fashion week for AW 17 last year, winter collections are now dropping in stores, with Harman Grubisa, Wynn Hamlyn and Penny Sage all integrating premium Perino yarns into their collections. In addition, Elka Knitwear and Untouched World continue to use Perino as part of their luxurious knitwear lines.
New Zealand Designers include Perino Yarns in their collections
Wynn Crawshaw, Auckland designer behind one of New Zealand’s freshest labels Wynn Hamlyn, is pushing the boundaries with interesting textures and materials, as well as effortlessly genius styling. After beginning his label in 2014, Wynn has since established himself as a major player amongst New Zealand’s fashion designers. Since 2014, Wynn has shown his collections at New Zealand Fashion week, with his AW17 collection Axminster being an absolute standout. Oversized coats made with richly patterned recycled carpets, a hint of 70’s and gorgeous knitwear including 4 pieces in Perino Nimbus for optimum luxury in the coming cold months. The playfulness of the styling and harmonious colour palette make this collection completely desirable.
Harman Grubisa similarly have been raising the bar for NZ fashion designers, last year being chosen for NZFW’s Mercedes Benz Presents, to be the opening show of the week. Founded by friends Madeleine Harman and Jessica Grubisa, the label has just launched their sophisticated AW17 collection into their own Auckland flagship and New Zealand stockists. The Dani Knit is a fine sweater made with Perino Nimbus with 65% Merino, 25% Brushtail Possum down and 10% Silk with flare in the sleeves and body for every day ease and the ability to dress up to take the piece into the evening. Their colourway ‘Sand’ lends itself well to any wardrobe making it a great addition this coming winter.
Penny Sage is known for being ethereal, timeless and fully desirable from season to season. The AW17 collection is dropping in stages, with some of their knitwear pieces joining the collection at the end of this month/early May. Their ‘Ode to Bill’ jumper is made with Perino Nimbus and will be available in three colourways – ‘Smokey Blue’, ‘Grey’ and ‘Coffee’, in a long sleeved and slightly oversized jersey knit. This is the jumper everyone wants and needs, due to effortless comfort and versatility.
Incorporating Perino yarns into her collections in new ways each year, Kate Mischler of Elka Knitwear continues to create contemporary pieces which are both elegant and completely wearable. Mischler learnt to knit at age five from her Grandmother in Russia and continues to use handknitting techniques when designing her pieces. This season, which has just been released, features many pieces made in Perino Nimbus, including tunics, wraps, dresses, scarves and tops all in different colourways. Elka has also added some pieces this season in our premium Perino Cirrus blend that comprises of 40% Brushtail Possum Down, 40% Cashmere and 20% Silk, for ultimate luxury.
Untouched World’s Kapua Poncho using ultra luxurious Perino Cirrus yarn. Image Source: Untouched World
Untouched World continues to produce beautiful andluxurious knitwear pieces made with our Perino Cirrus blend for their Kapua collection. These pieces are considered, sophisticated and timeless, adding a decadence to any wardrobe. The collection includes gloves and scarves as well as ponchos, pullovers and versatile wraps. Untouched World is made in their own knitting mill, ensuring quality control and work practices are monitored.
Sourcing high quality, conscientious knitwear made in New Zealand
It is really satisfying to see the amount of New Zealand designers that are creating New Zealand made products, as well as looking into the materials that their products are made with. New Zealand has an incredible resource at their fingertips in the form of Brushtail Possum fibre, and with the pest management systems in place in New Zealand, it makes sense to use the fibre from these pests that would otherwise be wasted. New Zealand consumers understand this need to clean up our native forests so that our natural flora and fauna can strive. Perino yarns by family owned Woolyarns are warm, naturally odor resistant allowing less washing, and are engineered to be less likely to pill. Perino is an ideal yarn collection for high quality, long lasting luxury.