Clockwise from left:
Paula Ryan Multi Braided Blouse
$590 Tube skirt $275 and Corset
Belt $130,Charlotte Olympia Pumps,
Isabel Marant Beaded Suede Cuff,
SEDUCE Swiss Alpine Logline Jacket
$239.95 SEDUCE Invader Pant $149.95,
Overland Marble Bag $139.90.
Fashion NZ versus Fashion UK
Is shopping in NZ better than shopping in the UK?
Let's start with the facts. The UK has a big population
and is dominated by words such as 'made in Italy' and 'made in Spain' and has
Europe on its doorstep. Then you compare this to NZ's location (being so far away)
and the dominance of 'made in China' and 'made in NZ'. Who is better off in
regards to fashion style and choice?
Firstly, we can't be doing too badly if UK clothing brands such as Ted Baker, Coast
London and Karen Millen are now gracing our shores. Our New Zealand's own Kate
Sylvester, Storm, Mild-Red, Moochi and NOM*d (just to name a few) provide us
with fabulous styles and designs that can be complimented with your more everyday
offerings from Glassons, Max and Farmers. Many such designers have been around
for a number of years and have developed strong brands both here and in Australia.
Unfortunately, it just isn't that easy to get into the UK market which is already fairly
saturated with a plethora of UK and European designers. For me, we really have the
best of both worlds here.
The only downfall is that buying 'NZ made' doesn't come cheap, and that is what
most of us grapple with. UK fashion on the other hand is often never made in its
home country and is mass-produced to the point that you generally see the same style
and colours everywhere you go, with a price-tag to match. There is nothing overtly
original about UK designs compared to NZ designs in my opinion. I could think of
nothing worse than going to a function and seeing the exact same outfit staring back
at me. How embarrassing.
So, where is best? The answer is simple. Home-grown wins every-time.
Helen Osborne
Yellow Tulip
www.whatisstyle.co.nz
