BLK #17: On set - Marissa Findlay and Rachael Churchward

Lily in Helen Cherry, Zambesi. Rings by Wunderkammer Jewellery. Nails by M.A.C

Yesterday we completed our fashion shooting schedule for BLK #17 at two East Auckland properties, in the rain, of course. Photographer Marissa Findlay got snazzy with the ring-flash, Rachael Churchward styled Red 11's Anmari Botha and Lily Sumner in slick, sporty, luxe Helmut Newton-esque fashion, M.A.Cs Amber D excelled herself with make-up and nails and Stephen Marr's Matt Benns read the brief beautifully. Assists were Leila Wrathall, Hana Tutton,Virginia at M.A.C and Lucy Herbert. Labels: Louis Vuitton, Zambesi, Karen Walker, Helen Cherry, Kate Sylvester, Stolen Girlfriends Club, adidas by Stella McCartney, Storm, Ksubi, One Teaspoon and Speedo. Footwear and accessories by See by Chloe (at Workshop), Dior & Sergio Rossi (at Ashley Ardrey), ManiaMania (at BlackBox) and Wunderkammer Jewellery. Vintage belts from Tango. Some available in-store and online this week...BTS photos by Grant Fell

Anmari gets the Amber treatment in Zambesi Eyewear, Louis Vuitton and Ksubi

BLK #17 - On Set: David K Shields & Rachael Churchward

Ella, hair by Shontal Healey

Only two shoots to go now for BLK #17. Yesterday we travelled to our good friend Bo Hendgen's farm at Muriwai to shoot with David K Shields and models Ella Verberne, Hunter McLeod at Clyne and Cedric at N. Model Management. Bo owns NZ's finest essential oil company Absolute Essential and also owns several beautiful horses. Cin Cin and Luciano were extremely inquisitive throughout the day and exhibited a penchant for the camera, like all good models! Rachael Churchward styled Ella in a mix of local brands and vintage/antique and made the boys look suitably 'Gone With The Wind' to accompany her. Hair was wild and windy by Shontal Healey at Stephen Marr with make-up by Sharlene Cassidy. Today we are shooting hair and beauty with Charles Howells, Rachael Churchward, Greg Murrell and Amber D.

Hunter, up close with Luciano. Below: Howdy Cedric!

Bag this! Barkers colab with Parisian.

As Barkers continue to refine their artisanal vision, their long running partnership with Auckland manufacturer Parisian forged new ground for both of the iconic NZ companies recently with the creation of their first leather satchel. Here, in this well-made short film by Reel Good, Parisian's product developer Vern Hown talks candidly about the leap of faith the company made in creating the snazzy satchel, a colab mooted to them by Barker's Matt Oliver which which will soon realise a wallet and other tasty leather treats. A nice synergy indeed...

Black Magazine for iPhone and iPad now available!

We are pleased to announce that as of today you can buy digital copies of Black Magazine for iPhone or iPad from both the Apple Newsstand (if you have an iPhone) or from the Apple iTunes Store. The latest three issues are up there so you can buy individual issues or buy a one year subscription - US $12.99 for 3 issues.

Simply go to either destination and search: "Black Magazine" download the free app and away you go.

Excited!

Stella McCartney Lingerie Spring Summer 2012/13

Last week we were kindly invited into Lily and Louis to see the new range of intimates from Stella McCartney Lingerie Spring Summer 2012/13 collection. This season, rightfully entitled 'Stella', has moved towards a more 'everyday' and wearable feel, incorporating innovative and cutting edge technology to create the thinnest, lightest and one of the most invisible collections in the market.

Well, we were impressed!

Mareunrol's; The Latvian Rebel

The Black Magazine inboxes are usually filled each morning by submissions and look books from photographers, stylists and label's from all over the world. We do our best to at least look at each email out of courtesy. Occasionally something catches our eye, like Mareunrols. Launched in Riga, Latvia in 2005 by Marite Matina and Rolands Peterkops the brand has since gone on to win a number of fashion awards, was voted Kris Van Assche's favourite newcomer in 2009 and this year showed at  Paris Fashion Week alongside many of the world's great houses. Their latest collection 'Epizode 2' reflects their upbringing in the late 1980's when Latvia was part of the Soviet regime. Creative people were not really 'allowed' in the Soviet system and were seen as the "rebel's and gangsters of their time" giving rise to Epizode 2's use of a blind embossing technique used by the state to create clothes at the time and the deconstructed use of elements of 80's Latvian clothing. Poignantly, the hoods in the wind represent the 'resistance against a dominant force' and the twisted-looking 'splash' head pieces were derived from an old Latvian New Year's custom called the pouring of fortune. Thanks to the folks at Mareunrols for sending these through and adding a 'splash' of their culture to our Friday morning.

BLK #17: On set with Sean O'Pry by MIchael Schwartz

Michael Schwartz shot our second cover in New York yesterday with make mega model Sean O'Pry. Here is a behind-the-scenes shot from the day of Sean and his co-stars...

The Caker new Short Film, The True Love for Cakes

The Caker, aka Jordan Rondel, has just released her short film about the true love for cakes. A modern love triangle of guy wants girl, girl wants girl, surrounds the ultimate sugar fiend- who just wants cake! It's a mouth-watering, bite-sized piece of visual goodness. Featuring Jordan Rondel. Directed by Calypso Paoli. Hair by Sky Cripps-Jackson at Stephen Marr. Clothing by Stolen Girlfriends Club. Jewellery by Zoe & Morgan. Produced by Laura Barton. Behind the scenes images taken by Yasmine Ganley. Watch the new short film below!

The Caker now works out of 8:30am cafe on K.Rd. Make sure you stop in and try her daily bakings!

BLK #17: Behind the Scenes with Ashleigh Good

After a great weekend of shooting with the boys for our new issue BLK #17,  the Black team were lucky enough to be given the New Zealand exclusive on the exciting new face, Ashleigh Good, yesterday at White Studios with Charles Howells, just before she is flown off to NYC again!

Promising to not give away too much of the magic witnessed, we managed to sneak a few behind the scenes pictures for you to see. Photography; Charles Howells, Fashion Director; Rachael Churchward, Hair; Greg Murell, Make-up; Michelle Hurliman, Model; Ashleigh Good at RPD/KHM, Photo Assist: Ti, Fashion Assists; Hana Tutton and Rosie Ko. 

This issue is shaping up to be something else. It stares 'tough' in the eye, it has wit and attitude but always allows for pockets of the ethereal. One more month to go!!

Hello Loren!

In the true ANZAC spirit, ex-pat Kiwi Carla Robinson has teamed with Australian Stacey Lamble to create Loren, a 30-piece collection launching into the Australasian market this Spring. The pair will launch the brand under the burgeoning Nick Mascitelli Imports empire, home to numerous brands including Carrie Cooper's Beau Coops. Lamble's background; 6 years as a freelance stylist in Milan, and working in sales at Stella McCartney and most recently at Marc Jacobs is supplemented by Robinson's extensive history working in fashion here in NZ, and in Australia. The collection is described as "French chic styling with a feeling of sport luxe" and provides a number of wardrobe essentials: the silk trench, a boyfriend blazer, pencil skirts, silk shirts, floaty maxi dress and chiffon tops.  Here is the first image of the collection featuring NZ model Hannah...

We 'Quoth The Raven': NOM*d SS12/13

Living happily in NOM*d-land, Dunedin designer Margi Robertson and the talented clan of Robertsons she helms have revisited classic NOM*d undertones for their SS 12/13 collection 'A Raven's Tale'. Influenced by her own personal collection of vintage NZ souvenir scarves (we so understand) Robertson and clan manipulated iconic NOM-d design ethic to include the newfound 'NOM*d-land' signature. To 'quoth' Alan Parsons Project: 'And so I turned inside, once more. To my amazement, there stood a Raven'...

Popping up in Ponsonby: Barkers & Friends

It has become an integral part of the retail canon for most New Zealand designers and labels to open a pop-up store in addition to their existing long-lease retail experience. This offers different opportunities for both the brand and the buyer - as many of you will know; succinct collections on offer, lower overheads/lower prices, diffusion lines, end of line stock, etcetera. Iconic NZ menswear brand Barkers have taken the pop up concept one step further and invited a selection of friends along to their temporary store at 154 Ponsonby Road (between S.P.Q.R and Video Ezy) for the next 8 weeks. As a company Barkers has become increasingly collaborative with perfectly-fitting partnerships like 93-year-old Auckland company Parisien and the legendary Flying Nun Records reflecting the considered development of the brand overall, in recent times. Both of these colabs will appear alongside exclusive ranges from Timex, Converse and German notebook maker Leuchturm amidst a curated selection of Barkers and Little Brother of course. To give the outlet the appropriate Barkers vibe nearby Flotsam & Jetsam have helped with the fit out, in-store tunes will waft around on classic audio equipment from Retrotronics and next door neighbours Julep will provide a punch on Friday nights. So pop on down to the pop up and meet store manager Jake, pick up a copy of the Barkers/Lawrence Arabia colab, stumble across hidden surprises - a Nice Block (or Epic Beer if of age) - and enjoy the Barkers (and friends) experience.

NZ's Next Big Star? Ashleigh Good at RPD/KHM

Photo: Terry Gates

Since we shot Ashleigh Good with Charles Howells for the current issue of Black, the Mairangi Bay model has been on a whirlwind induction into the world of international modelling that shows no sign of abating. Rose Packard-Dube her mother agent, in partnership with KHM Models, has her signed to Ford in New York and Storm in the UK. The next month will see Ashleigh shoot twice for BLK #17, here in NZ with Charles Howells and Rachael Churchward, and in Australia with Thom Kerr and Bex Sheers. She will sandwich a trip to Shanghai in between before jetting off to New York again. No rest for the beautiful!

50 Years: The Rolling Stones, Views from the Inside, Views from the outside

St. Tropez, France, 12^th  May, 1971: Mick Jagger sits next to Bianca Perez Moreno De Macias during their wedding ceremony at the small fisherman's church of St, Annes. Watching in the background are (from right) french film director Roger Vadim, actress Nathalie Delon and photographer Patrick, Earl of Lichfield, Centre is Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richard with his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg

This month marks 50 years since The Rolling Stones began playing live, an auspicious rock'n'roll milestone if ever there was one. To mark the occasion, German based e-publishing house The Interview People/e People are producing a 2000+ page eBook in two parts that celebrates the history of the 'world's greatest band' by collating dozens and dozens of interviews, pictures and stories on the band. Edited by Swiss rock journalist and long-time Stones aficionado Hanspeter Künzler 50 Years: The Rolling Stones – Views from the Inside, Views from the Outside promises numerous, and often rare, interviews with everyone from girlfriends and wives to The Stones themselves, plus over 150 photos, many of which were never published in the US or UK. “It’s not only a journey through 50 years of The Rolling Stones,” says publisher Matthias Würfl, “but also the history and evolution of music, press and western society of the last half century.” Published in two halves, the first installation covers the first 25 years and we have a copy of that first eBook to giveaway over on our Facebook page. All images: Getty Images

THE KEEP, Lela Jacob's First Flagship Store in Auckland

THE KEEP is Wellington fashion designer Lela Jacob's first flagship store situated at 504 Karangahape Road, in Auckland. THE KEEP celebrates not only her own Lela Jacob's collection but brings together an array of artists, all working in different mediums, to be hosted amongst hand-picked curios such as Melbourne based WELFE Jewellery, Lela Jacobs Ceramics, The New Order magazine and Japanese Muji stationary sets.

Michael Whittaker @ Clyne by Damien Nikora

Having already made his impressive mark on the rest of the world, male model Michael Whittaker has been busy here at home, too. Michael recently teamed up with photographer Damien Nikora to make a great stop-motion video for his agency Clyne Management. Made up of thousands of still images the video shows off, not only Michael's energy, class and sartorial ease, but also Damien's raw and honest approach to the magic he makes behind his lens. Nice one you guys! Watch the video below!

Cedric @N Model Management by Infamous Duo

Not only is Cedric @N Model Management a great new face on the fashion scene here, there has also been a wee bit of hype too surrounding the mystery of the two people that have created these images together under the alias of "Infamous Duo". We are all fans of the power couples doing their thing overseas; Mert & Marcus and Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, who run their part of the industry at a very deserved level. So, with a nod to collaboration and joining forces we celebrate the Infamous Duo, still puzzled by who stands behind this title, however, their images here of Cedric have got our attention!

Photography by Infamous Duo. Model, Cedric Pasco @ N Model Management. Cedric wears Stolen Girlfriends Club clothing throughout. Let the mystery remain!

BLK Archive: Black Issue #1, 2006. MoTown by David K Shields

Back in 2006 when we launched Black Magazine, we contacted our good friend David K Shields who was, at that time residing in New York. He delivered three editorials and the cover for the inaugural issue, including this beautiful oh-so-New York shoot which we simply entitled MoTown. It looks just as good today as it did back then. Photography: David K. Shields. Fashion editor: Victor Vargas. Hair: Nikki Paton. Make-up: Robert Greene at See Management NY. Models: Hawa at NY Models, Jotasha and Sascha at Elite NY, Dorian at DNA NY and Armando at IMG NY.

"Sticks, Stones and Rocks" by Zora bell Boyd Collection Launch

Photo: David K Shields

Last week we partnered up with Zora bell Boyd and celebrated her passion for jewellery making with her "Sticks, Stones and Rocks" launch.  Having her jewellery placed inside the glorious world of Wunderkammer for the past six years, "Sticks, Stones and Rocks" confirms her first official collection. Precious gems and stones are sourced from South America and India, brought back to her home in Muriwai, on the West coast of New Zealand, to be welded, beaten and carefully handled into small pieces of "naughty jewellery". Mixing commercially cut stones with raw and found materials, and  playing with the pairing options of stones and metals (something usually frowned upon by traditional jewellers), Zora bell Boyd's "Sticks, Stones and Rocks" collection solidifies her signature style which is already adored by many.

Zambesi Spring Summer 2012-13 Collection Preview

A good summer wardrobe in it's purest form should be comprised of only what we need and more importantly what feels good. This week we were invited along to view the new summer collection from Zambesi for Spring Summer 2012-2013, which has focused on exactly that. Softly-fitted, with a mood of sensibility, the ease and grace of summer oozed through these garments. Given the the opportunity to create our own summer looks on site, here is what we came up with; slouchy silks and worn, soft cottons, some structure from leather and the most perfected loafers - which we immediately put our names down for...... Bring on Summer, we say!

BLK Archives: Issue #5: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley by Derek Kettela

Back in 2007, before we even started this blog, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was our cover girl for issue #5 of Black Magazine. Shot exclusively for Black by photographer Derek Kettela, fashion editors Anda & Masha and H&M maestro Valery Gherman, Rosie looked as gorgeous as ever in Max Azria, Gap, Ten Thousand Things and Lacoste. Beauty products: M.A.C, Chanel, Lancome, Aveda and Redken.

BLK #16: Andrej Pejic shoot BTS video by Nathan Paul Swimwear

Our recent editorial featuring Andrej Pejic in BLK #16 was a partnership with the fab folks at Nathan Paul Swimwear - it was extremely forward-thinking of the company to choose the wonderful Andrej as the face and body of their new campaign and work together with us on this shoot. Here is an exclusive look at the behind-the-scenes video shot on the day with crew; photographer Mariah Jelena, stylist Kate Carnegie and H&M maestro Justin Henry among others. The clip is nicely directed, shot and edited by David Clark. Special thanks to Nathan Lodge at Nathan Paul Swimwear.

Strateas.Carlucci's new campaign by Ribal and Gill featuring Dan Zyzis

Fans of forward-thinking Melbourne label Trimapee could well be beside themselves excited about founding duo Mario-Luca Carlucci and Peter Strateas' new label, the eponymously titled Strateas.Carlucci. Like Trimapee the new label is inherently from 'Melboing', as our friend Eden Mulholland calls his current home, but in reality sits somewhere between Antwerp and the aesthetic espoused for decades now by Rei Kawakubo's inimitable Comme Des Garcons. A sense of androgyny is at the forefront of the pair's design direction with a label that steps up a level or two in terms of design, delivery and positioning. That the very first Strateas.Carlucci collection, shown here, has been picked up by Parisian sales gallery Stealth Project strongly reflects that the future for the label is as international as it is exciting. Particularly pertinent from our point of view is that the duo have used one of the all time great Black magazine models, Dan Zyzis at FRM. Dan, you are looking better than ever!
Photography: Ribal & Gill at Superteam Studios. model: Dan Zyzis at FRM, hair: Jamie & Dani at Xiang Hiar, make-up:Shella Ruby

Moodie Tuesday Spring/Summer 2013 'Painting the Picture' Collection

Isaac at N.Model Management in Moodie Tuesday

Introducing Moodie Tuesday. Driven by the desire to empower youthful and rebellious souls and inspired by tales of rock n' roll, life's mortality, empty bottles, sleeping in all day and staying up all night, the label's goal is to create clothing that reflects a lifestyle of carefree idealism and to build a community of people who choose to live in this way....... That's you? Hey! You're in luck- we're giving some tees away!! Like this 'STDs and Diversion' Otago tee and the 'Moodie Fucking Tuesday' tee!

Blacklog Editorial #27: David K Shields shoots Tess H at Clyne

Happy Friday, we're beginning a series of blog shoots featuring RTW fashion and accessories from some of our partner brands, NZ designers that we love. Everything that we feature in these editorials will be available in store or online now, so if you like what you see, go and buy it! First up Black photographer David K Shields teams with Black fashion director Rachael Churchward to shoot one of our favourite NZ models, gorgeous Tess H at Clyne in Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester and Helen Cherry among others. Hair by Fraser Foulagi at Ryder Salon, make-up by Michelle Hurliman using M.A.C Cosmetics.

Kate Sylvester comp winner - Oana-Celina Mihailescu

Thanks to everyone who entered our competition with our friends Kate Sylvester to win a $1,000 Kate Sylvester wardrobe. There were some great entries and it was very hard to choose but Black Magazine fashion director Rachael Churchward picked Oana-Celina "Noree" Mihailescu as the winner. Oana-Celina looks super cute in her Kate Sylvester Winter 2012 stripey skirt in Marl and we have to say, that is quite a balancing act. The lovely people at Kate Sylvester will be in touch to set up the prize shortly...

adidas by Stella McCartney first Flagship Store, London

Last weekend saw the opening of the world's first stand alone adidas by Stella McCartney store on Fullham Road in London. Great timing for the 2012 Olympics which are a couple of month away from starting, plus Stella McCartney also designed the Team Great Britian's kit for these Olympic games.

"I am really excited about our use of concrete and tiling on the floor in the basement, it’s really interesting and we’ve never really worked with it before – it brings the harlequin tiles through from the other store," McCartney tells Dazed Digital. "I really love the use of colour and texture on the walls, looking at raw plaster work and marrying it against that really high gloss and quite brilliant colours against quite natural faded colours, and really trying to create new hanging system for clothes, because that is something I have been working on for many years. I wanted to bring that in a most sporty language."

Karen Walker Candy Bar begins world tour in Japan

All photos: IPS

Karen Walker Candy Bar. That just sounds good doesn't it? Proving once again that an adroit sense of timing is everything, Karen Walker Eyewear is capitilising on the unprecedented demand coming from all corners of the globe for the snazzy sunnies by taking a pop-up store on tour. For the next twelve months the Karen Walker Candy Bar will traverse the globe stopping at hand-picked retailers in each country and offering the complete Karen Walker Eyewear collection plus five new limited edition frames: HARVEST milky cream, HELTER SKELTER strawberry, NUMBER SIX toffee, DEEP FREEZE bubblegum and PERFECT DAY vanilla. The first location for Karen Walker Candy Bar opened Wednesday night at RESTIR in Tokyo with Karen in attendance amongst a super cute and stylish crowd. They are mad crazy about Karen Walker in Japan as these exclusive pictures of the opening illustrate. Next stop for Karen Walker Candy Bar is TenOverSix boutique in Los Angeles and Cloak & Dagger, NYC before heading on to Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Shanghai and more. Full details of the Candy Bar global schedule can been found at Karen Walker Eyewear.

BLK #16 Intro Pages by Ian Ferguson

After each issue of Black goes on sale we like to publish the intro pages of each fashion and beauty editorial - mainly to showcase the snazzy design work of our art director Ian Fraser Ferguson of Friends of Design but also to see how they all look together in a blog post. So here are the intro pages of all 19 shoots in BLK #16 - credits for all photos, beauty and fashion are on the spreads...Australian readers please note that BLK #16 is somewhere on the Tasman Sea at present but should be landed in Australia by month's end and on sale shortly thereafter.

Te Rongo Kirkwood's Vision In Glass by David K Shields

Contemporary Maori glass creator Te Rongo Kirkwood is exhibiting this week at PATAKA Art+Museum in Porirua, Wellington with Ka Awatea A Journey of Life Through Light. Traditional in concept but very contemporary in style, Kirkwood and a dedicated team of weavers have created four amazing cloaks that use glass and light to tell a story of awakening and the cycle of life. "Weaving stories of divine magic and synchronicity with the strings of soul memory to connect life past, present and future" Kirkwood has created something special, seen here on the shoulders of Te Rawhitiroa and Courtney at N Model Management and shot by the ever talented David K Shields. Stunning. Weavers: Alexine Curtis, Melina Cuthbert, Tina Wirihana, Shona Tawhiao, Judy Robson-Deane, Mandy Sunlight, Donna O'hare

BLK #17: On Set: Charles Howells shoots beauty with James Molloy, Rachael Churchward and Greg Murrell

Kendall brows by James

BLK #16 is out and about and we are feeling good about the fact three shoots are in the can for BLK #17 already. On Saturday we shot a beauty special for #17 with photographer Charles Howells, M.A.C Director of Make-up Artistry Asia-Pacific James Molloy, Black fashion director Rachael Churchward and Black hair editor Greg Murrell at Ryder Salon for KMS California. Here are a few BTS shots of the three models: Claire Collins at Chadwicks, Kendall Walters at Priscilla's and Dasha Cherkasov at Vanity Walk. All three followed the brief to a 'T'. Make-up assistance from Kiekie at M.A.C Cosmetics, hair assist was Lydia Mahon, photo assist was Jenna, all photos by Grant Fell.

James eye on Dasha

James eye on Kendall

Blacklog Editorial #26: Black Beauty by Greg Novak

Rosie at Nova

We will soon be relaunching Blacklog with a dedicated beauty blog called Black Beauty, of course. In anticipation of that, in about a month's time, here is our 26th Blacklog editorial by photographer Greg Novak and hair and make-up artist Natalie Dent using M.A.C Cosmetics. The models are: Bec Downes and Nichelle at Red 11, Rosie Crawford at Nova and Cait at Clyne.

Bec at Red 11

Cait at Clyne

Nichelle at Red 11

BLK #16 - Covers 2, 3 and 4: Hanne Gaby, Milou and Valerija

Photography: Michael Schwartz

Fashion Editor: Aeri Yun

Hair: Roberto Di Cuia for Shuly NY at L’Atelier NYC

Make-up: Valery Gherman at Defactoinc using Mac Cosmetics

Model: Hanne Gaby Odiele at Ford New York

Jacket by Chanel, earrings by Robert Lee Morris,

chain necklace by Patricia Field, necklace (spider) stylist’s own,

bracelet by Robert Lee Morris, rings by Raquelle Bianco 

BLK #16 will be available at Mag Nation from tomorrow afternoon and will be nationwide early next week. A good time to post the other three covers then! For our international readers a digital version will be available at Zinio.com as usual and by the end of next week also on the Apple Newsstand in digital versions...good times!

Photography: Paul Empson

Fashion Editor: June Nakamoto at Shotview

Hair: Stephane Delahaye at 2B Agency

Make-up: Topolino at Calliste Paris

Model: Milou Van Groesen at A Models Amsterdam

Cashmere top and skirt by Louis Vuitton 

Photography: Paul Empson

Fashion Editor: Sam Ranger

Hair: Halley Brisker at Jed Root London using L’Oreal Professional

Make-up: Ashley Ward at CLM using Sisley

Model: Valerija Kelava at Oui Paris

Top & suit by Louis Vuitton

BLK #16 Cover #1: Andrej Pejic

We had planned to post all four covers for this issue as we traditionally do on the last day of printing this week but this one was leaked on Friday, has since gone viral on the internet and ended up on the New York Times' The Cut Blog this morning! So here is the first cover of BLK #16; Australian mega model Andrej Pejic @ Chadwicks, photographed by Mariah Jelena, styled by Kate Carnegie, hair and make-up by Justin Henry, produced by Nathan Paul. Andrej wears: Jacket by DiScount. The other three will be posted this week...

Blacklog Feature: Old Boys Club by Yasmine Ganley

All photos by Yasmine Ganley

Times are changing and the essence of something being made by hand is returning as a preferred means of consumerism. It's back to basics; hands on the fabrics, the muscle behind the pull and the fingers to control the patternmaking. The idea that an item has been handled and cared for individually has an air of romance surrounding it.

Having studied and practiced shoemaking in Melbourne, Julia Thompson has since been treading her own successful grounds. Her most recent venture sees her designing both men's and women's footwear  for one of New Zealand's biggest fashion brands, Zambesi. Her aesthetic is simple; clean lines, mostly black with longevity at the forefront of her designs. Each pair is handmade on traditional 'old school' shoemaking machinery, carefully crafted by the country's finest shoemakers.

Read on as Thompson tells us in her own words about the creation of her very own, self made 'OLD BOYS CLUB':