Sarah of The Lilly Mint Blog introduces us to her top New Zealand designers.

New Zealand fashion has come a long way in the last few years, and thanks to the internet and social media, Kiwi designers are now becoming even better known, not only in their own country, but throughout the world. Names like Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Kate Sylvester show at Fashion Weeks around the world, and are worn by many celebrities and fashionistas.

Some Kiwi designers and brands are less well known outside of New Zealand, however their collections are incredible. Today I’m going to share with you my top three New Zealand brands I love and my favourite pieces from their collections.

Ruby Boutique began in Auckland in 2002, and is now well known in New Zealand, and has recently started expanding into Australia and Hong Kong. Their collections are always fun, fashion-forward, and just a little bit quirky. The use of colour and printed fabrics is very prominent in their collections, and I am excited for their new spring collection as they have used some of my very favourite colours and prints.

 

The “Bird” baby doll dress

 

“Bird” shirt and “Marco” printed jeans

“Jazz Night” printed chiffon dress

 

Storm has literally taken New Zealand by….. storm. Their moody colours and prints, and use of structured fabrics make the Storm collection incredibly edgy and on-trend.  I love how Storm embraces the use of dark colours yet balances these with soft chiffons and lace. They are truly a brand for the modern girl.

 

Vintage Boutique Tank + Black Dukes Coated Jean + Nick Von K Wooden Skull Necklace

Oversized Top + Black Dukes Metallic Jean + Nick Von K Mammoth Necklace

 PU Bust Dress + Nick Von K Wooden Skull Necklace

Tamsin Cooper is one of my favourite New Zealand designers. She is well known for her gorgeous embellished silk and velvet bags and purses. Recently she has paired up with the Royal New Zealand ballet, to create a magical collection of coats and bags, that encompass the elegance of the ballet. I was lucky enough to see this collection shown at the Dunedin iD fashion week, and it has become an absolute favourite of mine. Each piece is stitched and embellished by hand, and is truly a work of art.

 

Anniversary Short Duster Coat

Anniversary Long Embroidered Coat

Anniversary Velvet Clip Coin Purse

Ruby images from www.rubynz.com, Storm images from www.storm.co.nz, Tamsin Cooper images from www.tamsincooper.co.nz

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Sarah is a 24 year old blogger from the South Island of  New Zealand. She is a lover of fashion and make up, as well as photography, art and travel, and decided to create The Lilly Mint Blog as an outlet for all of this. Some of her favourite things include Disney, road trips, taking silly pictures, music, fresh flowers,  the 1950′s, cups of tea, pretty dresses, Pinterest, pearls and pastels, baking yummy goodies, friends and family, and all things pretty… or pink.