Ardern’s stardust puts sparkle in Kiwi fashion designers’ eyes
She has quite a youthful edge to what she chooses. Tanya Carlson
Jacinda Ardern provided New Zealand global headlines after her dramatic rise to PM. And now she is set to give Kiwi fashion a huge boost.
The 37- year- old has always been a staunch supporter of local designers within New Zealand and is poised to showcase them on the world stage.
And New Zealand designers favoured by the country’s new PM are excited at the potential benefit from the sharp dresser’s increased profile.
On election night Ardern wore a burgundy suit by local designer Maaike, for her swearing- in she chose a Kate Sylvester dress. During the leader’s debate it was Ingrid Starnes.
Tanya Carlson, Juliette Hogan and Harman Grubisa are also Kiwi staples hanging in the Prime Minister’s wardrobe.
Ardern is a regular customer at the Ponsonby Rd store owned by Carlson and the designer said Ardern usually shops alone and chooses her own clothes.
“She’s very comfortable with what she wears. She’s young and she has quite a youthful edge to what she chooses,” Carlson said.
“She is very aware of the effort that goes into designing and manufacturing in New Zealand and she has always been supportive of local industry.”
New Zealand designers Emilie Pullar and Abby van Schreven from label Maaike custom made Ardern’s election night outfit and were thrilled to see the one- off burgundy shirt- dress and draped jacket splashed across front pages worldwide.
“We have had a relationship with Jacinda for a long time now and asked if we could custom make something for her for election night,” Pullar said.
“We had a vision for what we wanted to make for her and she put her trust in us.”
All of Pullar and van Schreven’s garments are designed and made in Auckland — from fabrics bought at local markets to local pattern- makers and dressmakers. It’s something they believe sits well with Ardern.
Fellow designer Ingrid Starnes was also thrilled to see her designs worn by Ardern at the televised Leader’s Debate.
“It’s been such an honour to be along the journey in a small way as Jacinda has chosen to wear our clothes for some of her big moments,” Starnes said.
“Any time a woman chooses to wear things we’ve made for an important day it’s a real thrill.
“But to see someone making history and in the New York Times in something that you were constructing that afternoon i s a really special feeling.”
Ingrid Starnes managing director Simon Pound said Ardern was a longterm supporter of the label, and local business.
“When she was Small Business Spokesperson she came to talk to us about local production, retail, and being an employer,” Pound said.
“She really cares about all sides of the work equation, and walks the talk, supporting local design and production.
Starnes added staff were stunned that “despite how incredibly busy Jacinda must have been over the last few weeks she sent the team a thank you card”.