prairie girl musings

Author: prairiegirlmusings

Kate Sylvester On Finding Inspiration

Photo: Luke Foley-Martin

Where do fashion designers find inspiration and who do they credit with their creativity?

Kate Sylvester shares the artwork that influenced her past and present collections and her ongoing love affair with lingerie.

You’ve surely seen Kate’s newest collection, A Muse, inspired by Picasso’s genius, his paintings and his muses who created the evolution of his work. Kate feels indebted to the huge treasure trove that is art, continually celebrating her heroes. “We all have to wear clothes and isn’t it ice to know you’re wearing a small piece of Picasso?” says Kate.

According to Kate, her very first lingerie collection, Vanessa Beecroft’s nude works was “a complete and utter failure,” but taught her tough commercial lessons that she still calls upon today. “First and foremost, we need to be commercial and on-trend,” she urges, a prevailing lesson throughout fashion week.

While many designers create youthful garments that don’t suit women of all ages, shapes and sizes, Kate makes clothes for living in. “I create clothes for myself, for my friends.” This wearability factor is present in every collection, no matter how quirky or elegant the final product. Kate manages to seamlessly draw from history’s great artists and photographers to create pieces that transcend time and appeal to consumers of all ages.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of Kate’s F/W Collection. How stunning is the lace Pola dress?

Photo: Gabrielle Devereux

Photo: Luke Foley-Martin

Photo: Luke Foley-Martin

March 31, 2016
Tuesday Tunics

I’ve always admired New Zealand designers for their focus on creating quality fabrics and wearable garments. I admire the ethical means and methods by which they produce their clothing. Many Kiwi designers still make their own fabrics and garments in-house. Others work closely with factories and mills overseas. Speaking to a handful of the country’s most respected designers, I learned about the whole creative process and what goes into making a collection.

I’m a big fan of wearing the same pieces over and over again, giving them new meaning with each wear. Timeless staples will always have a place in my wardrobe and I’m drawn to pieces that are well-made. My ankle boots have been worn to dinner dates, weddings, job interviews and now, fashion week. I’ll wear them out, probably re-sole them, and continue wearing them.

Also, my eyes are partially closed in this photo, but I love the staircase too much to care!

All photos by Luke Foley-Martin.

Vintage coat by Zambesi
Veer tunic by Moochi
Handbag by Deadly Ponies via Belle Bird Boutique

March 30, 2016
A Q&A with Emilia Wickstead

Photo by Chris Sullivan

One of the highlights of iD Fashion Week was sitting in on a Q&A with Emilia Wickstead. As charming as she is talented, Emilia has dressed everyone from Kate Middleton to Gwyneth Paltrow, and counts Alexa Chung as a dear friend. Born in Auckland, Wickstead moved to Milan at the age of fourteen and began interning at sixteen. The London-based designer shares what it takes to make it in the fashion industry and why she once pretended to be her own assistant.

“Selling clothes is just as important as being creative and living in your fantasy world,” Emilia shares. Her mother advised her to study both fashion and marketing in order to learn the business side of things. And that’s what Wickstead did, enrolling in a highly competitive program at prestigious Central Saint Martins.

For those interested in gaining experience in the fashion industry, she suggests interning. “Internships are where you learn street skills and how to be in a work environment.”

She also stresses the importance of feigning confidence at the beginning. When she first started out at 23, she called British Vogue. “I literally picked up the phone, called British Vogue and pretended I was my own assistant called Leila. I said ‘Have you heard of the designer Emilia Wickstead? I would really like to show you her collection online’.” She was speaking to fashion features editor Sarah Harris, (who’s now a good friend) and as a result, got a half-page feature in the magazine.

While the company enlisted in the help of a PR team a year ago, Emilia still runs her own Instagram account. “We have no digital strategy at present, but I love interacting directly with my customers.” She says Instagram is her favourite place to get inspired.

At iD, Emilia sat on the panel of judges for the Emerging Designers competition. She also showed her on spring/summer 2016 collection, her favourite to date.

Photo by Chris Sullivan

Photo by Luke Foley-Martin

March 26, 2016
6 Delightful Days in Dunedin

As you may already know from my Instagram posts, I spent last week in Dunedin for iD Fashion Week. The event has been running for the past seventeen years and it’s easy to see why it’s so successful. As New Zealand’s oldest city, Dunedin has such a strong creative community. With New Zealand’s oldest university and local designers like Margi Robertson and Liz Findlay, the city exudes style, cleverness and imagination.

On previous visits to Dunedin with Nick, whose mum is from a town just outside Dunedin, I marvelled at the city’s architecture and steep streets. This week called for a healthy dose of networking and collaboration, two of my favourite activities.

Less touristy than other South Island destinations, Dunedin is often overlooked for the likes of Queenstown, Christchurch and Nelson. But those who venture here will see its striking resemblance to Scotland. After all, Dunedin means Edinburgh in Gaelic.

Stay/

I was fortunate to spend the week at the Claremont House in Roslyn. This stately private guesthouse was built in 1908. The Edwardian-style house is hard to miss, overlooking the gorgeous city below. Claremont House is all I’ve ever wanted in a B&B and then some. The friendly team welcomed me with open arms, working around my busy schedule and leaving delicious sweets in my room. They also served the most scrumptious organic breakfasts in the elegant dining room every morning. The house itself is perfectly preserved, retaining its original character while feeling comfortably modern. Each room features the comfiest of king and queen-sized beds and an adjacent living room with ample space for lounging and tea-sipping. The Claremont House encompasses luxury and history and I highly recommend booking a stay here on your next trip to Dunedin!

Eat, Drink, Be Merry/

Vanguard Coffee Co.: My absolute favourite café in Dunedin, this place ticks all the boxes. There is ample seating, lots of light, beautiful fauna and florals, and a breakfast menu that runs all day. I sampled the shakshuka (amazing!) and too many flat whites to count. Shout out to the lovely baristas who let us stay late to work (aka take way too many photos!)

Kiki Beware: Visit for the gorgeous interior, but stay for the yummy coffee and inventive menu. The fries here will make you betray your diet. Served with salts and dips of all varieties, you’ll want to go with a friend and share!

Morning Magpie: This place is as eclectic as it is cozy. While I usually prefer minimalist cafes, I couldn’t pass this quirky, haphazard coffee shop. It will remind you of your grandmother’s living room.

Chamber of Coffee: If you’re starting to sense a theme…well, that’s because coffee was in ample supply all weeklong. The Chamber of Coffee also has delightful salads if you’re in need of some greens!

Taste Nature: After a few too many indulgent meals, I was relieved to discover Taste Nature. An organic grocery store that sells everything from kale to kombucha, you’ll be spoiled for choice. If you arrive before 2pm on a weekday, they also have a menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and my personal favourite, green smoothies.

Di Lusso: Easy to miss, this small bar is neatly tucked into Stuart Street, and often overlooked for the more raucous students bars and pubs on this street. For iD, various designers crafted their own cocktails that were served throughout the week.

Do/

The Octagon: I’m convinced that every good city has a town square, a place to congregate. In Dunedin, it’s the Octagon. With several cafés, restaurants, bars, galleries and theatres, this is the place to begin your week(end) in Dunedin.

Dunedin Public Art Gallery: Many of the designer presentations were held at the city’s largest art gallery. It’s worth visiting for its extensive collection of local, national and international artwork. Margarita Robertson of NOM*D’s exhibition, 3.33.12. will be running for the next month, so be sure to check that out!

Dunedin Town Hall: Again, many iD events were held at the town hall, but it’s worth visiting even if Fashion Week’s not on your radar.

The Regent Theatre: Located on the lower half of Dunedin’s central Octagon reserve, Regent regularly plays host to live theatre, music, opera, dance, and film. The sign reminds me of the old California theatres.

Dunedin Railway Station: “Gingerbread George,” as it’s affectionately known, the Railway Station connects Dunedin with several South Island destinations. It has also played host to iD Fashion Week for a number of years. Along with being the longest runway in the world, the station provides a unique setting for a spectacular event.

Moeraki Boulders: Though outside Dunedin, you’ll absolutely want to stop by these unusually large, spherical boulders that lie along a stretch of Koekohe Beach. Moeraki Boulders: Though outside Dunedin, you’ll absolutely want to stop by these unusually large, spherical boulders that lie along a stretch of Koekohe Beach. Also, if you’re heading to see the boulders, stop by Fleur’s Place for some of the freshest seafood and best service you’ll ever experience!

Baldwin Street: The steepest street in the world!

Beaches: There are many beaches in Dunedin, so take your pick!

Shop/

Shopping in Dunedin is surprisingly extensive and very local. Avoid the malls, and meander along George Street. Hit up Slick Willy’s, Belle Bird Boutique, and Plume for unique shops well-stocked with New Zealand designers and beyond. The Ruby shop here also deserves a mention for its fireplace!

Dunedin is such a stunning city filled with so much history! Regardless of how you spend your time here, you really can’t go wrong. I hope you have the chance to visit someday soon!

March 22, 2016
Crème de la crème

How about a bit of real talk to kick off today’s blog post? If you’re wondering why my background is beginning to feel a bit repetitive, I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’ve been using this sensor feature on my camera where I wave (quite aggressively) in order to take a photo. It doesn’t catch my wave unless I’m up close, so I’ll run up to the camera, wave, and run back. It’s a pretty good workout. It’s a fun activity that doesn’t require my lovely #instagramboyfriend or photographer friends to take my outfit photos. Fellow bloggers, let me know if you have a similar strategy.

I purchased this beige Bassike sweater tunic when I was last in Auckland. It was 50% off at Black Box Boutique in Grey Lynn, and I thought it might be fun to style two different ways. If you’re like me, you can never have too many neutrals in your wardrobe and sleeveless sweaters work perfectly on breezy days.

First off, I paired the tunic with my boyfriend jeans. These jeans have seen me through some dark times, and they are comfier than sweatpants. Yes, that’s right, comfier. They are super loose in the legs and waist.

Boyfriend jeans: Madewell
Shoes: Mi Piaci

Shorts: Huffer
Sandals: Miss Wilson by Kathryn Wilson

Stay tuned for my Dunedin City Guide – it’s coming up next!

March 21, 2016
Instagram Takeovers and Other News

I’ve been fortunate to attend various fashion weeks over the past four years, and it’s fascinating to observe each city’s unique approach.

iD Fashion Week has been well planned, educational and interesting. I’m here for the whole week, collaborating with iD, other bloggers and photographers. I’ve also sat in on a several talks and presentations. I’m particularly fond of the venues iD has chosen for each of its events. The Dunedin Art Gallery has been host to designer talks and shows have been held at the Dunedin Town Hall and the Dunedin Railway Station. While this blog isn’t solely dedicated to fashion (obviously), I’ve learnt a great deal about New Zealand and international fashion and building a brand.

I am currently hosting an #InstagramTakeover with photographer, Luke Foley-Martin over on iD’s account. It goes without saying that Luke’s an incredibly talented photographer and all-around cool guy. We had so much fun working together, so I thought I’d share some of his photographs. This series was taken at the Emerging Designers Judging Panel and at the Ziera Global Launch.

All photographs by Luke Foley-Martin.

March 17, 2016
Into the Blue

Yesterday kicked off the first day of iD Fashion Week in Dunedin. The opening event, held at Otago Polytechnic, gave designers, sponsors, photographers, and media the opportunity to mingle before the shows get underway. I enjoyed the emerging talent designs on display by local students and putting my networking skills to use.

After a long bus ride from Christchurch to Dunedin, I decided on a comfy, loose pair of trousers in powder blue from Club Monaco. Underneath my navy coat, I’m wearing a camisole by Julian Danger, one of my favourite new New Zealand designers; who will be showing her collection later this week.

Exploring the beautiful city of Dunedin has been incredible. I’m looking forward to sharing my favourite spots with you soon!

March 15, 2016
The Importance of Showing Up

One thing I’ve noticed about Christchurch, that never ceases to amaze me, is that everyone turns up.

It could be symptomatic of losing a slew of businesses and community events following the earthquakes, but nevertheless, it’s impressive!

In Toronto, I had friends from different areas of my life and everyone was always busy. When planning an event, one would anticipate that many of the people who had RSVP’d wouldn’t actually show up. We all cancelled with grace (via text message) with perfectly reasonable excuses.

Being constantly attached to our devices, it’s all too easy to cancel or postpone plans at the very last minute. In fact, it’s usually expected that one of two parties will bail. My friends and I would confirm plans a few hours beforehand in a subtle, offhanded way: “I’m just hopping on the TTC now, see you in thirty,” ensuring the other party was also on their way.

In Christchurch, if you say you’ll go, you go.

The city’s collective commitment to showing up astounds me. And this commitment extends to cultural events like the Chinese Lantern Festival, Holi and Japan Day where it seems like the whole city is in attendance.

So, on a somewhat unrelated note, here are a few photos from Holi and Japan Day last weekend!

March 12, 2016
How To Network Like A Pro

Most of us are expected to network a handful of times in our professional and personal lives. Whether you’ve recently moved to a new city or you’re gunning for a new role at work, networking is a part of life. And as much as networking freaks many of us out, it’s a necessary way to shake up your routine and get out of your comfort zone.

In honour of attending iD Fashion Week next week, I thought I would revisit my favourite networking advice and share my own tips with you.

Go solo. Admittedly attending events with a friend is less daunting than flying solo, but you won’t cover nearly as much ground. You’ll also be tempted to spend the time catching up instead of meeting new people. Going alone, you’ll be more engaged and more likely to make a new contact or two.

Dress the part. First impressions are crucial in networking situations. Assess the invite or press release prior to getting dressed. Is it a corporate or fashion event? Is it indoors or outdoors? Put your best foot forward by choosing an outfit that fits well. And if you’re attending a foodie event, be sure to wear comfortable pants (elastic waistbands, anyone?)

Confidence is key. This goes hand-in-hand with my last point. You may be perspiring in your pumps, but don’t let it show. A simple smile coupled with a strong handshake goes a long way. And remember, everyone else is just as nervous as you.

Business cards. You’ll be talking to a lot of new people, so arm yourself with business cards. You never know if your newest client is right around the corner!

Be interested. While many of us worry about being interesting, it’s more important to be interested, particularly in networking scenarios. Ask engaging questions, smile and be attentive.

Put your phone down. This is a hard one, especially at blogger events where capturing the moment is required. Don’t make the mistake of being attached to your phone all night. Look up, smile at new faces, and be the first to introduce yourself.

March 9, 2016
6 Tips For Moving To Another Country
Living overseas has been one of the most rewarding (and challenging) experiences of my life so far. It’s helped me understand different cultures, people, and places and has shifted my perspective about home and relationships. Had I not moved to New Zealand seven years ago, I’m not sure I would have had the courage to change my career path or seriously pursue writing and journalism. Though painful at times, these life changing experiences have imparted many lessons.

Image via Pinterest

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether moving overseas is right for you. You’ll likely need to factor in your family, your health, your finances, your friends, maybe even a partner or a pet. While motivations for moving can range from personal to professional, the experience will teach you more than you could ever imagine. It’s been awhile since 19-year-old me decided to apply for a study abroad program in New Zealand, so I wanted to share some tips I’ve learnt along the way:
1. Save money. Whether you’re moving for a job or to study, make sure you save as much as you can. It could take you several months to find work, (or in my case, to sort out my visa!) so cutting back on everyday indulgences prior to departure is one of the most important steps you can take. Plus, when you arrive, you’ll want to explore and experience everything, so it helps to have a little extra cash in your savings.
2. Decide where you want to go. This can be one of the trickiest decisions, and it helps to consider your contacts, the economy, the climate, your background, etc. Did you study Japanese at school? If so, maybe consider a move to Kyoto. What’s the medical system like? How affordable is health coverage? Some countries are easier to navigate than others and some systems are easier on foreigners.
3. Sort out your visa. Like I mentioned above, obtaining a work or study visa can be a tedious process. Despite having dealt with immigration both in the United States and New Zealand for the past nine years, I still haven’t figured it out entirely. That being said, sorting it out in advance is a lot less stressful than arriving on a three-month visitor visa and crossing your fingers that something works out.
4. Research. Once you’ve decided on a country and secured your visa, it’s time to learn as much as you can about your new home. What are the local customs and laws? What languages are spoken in your new country? After deciding on a city, look at neighbourhoods to determine where specifically you’d like to live.
5. Apply for jobs. This is easier said than done (and I’m speaking from experience). Unless you’re highly sought after in your field, securing a job before arrival is very difficult. I mean, 11pm Skype interviews are only fun for so long. In the very least, do your research and figure out where you’d like to work and keep an eye out for job postings.
6. Network. Before setting foot on New Zealand soil, I didn’t know a soul in the entire country. While my first few days were rather lonely, I felt like I could be whoever I wanted to be, reinventing myself. I was in a university setting, so making friends was inevitable. However, if you’re moving for work, networking is even more important. Ask a colleague out for coffee or join an expat group to commiserate with whenever you feel a twinge of homesickness.
I hope these tips proved helpful! If you’re considering a move overseas, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
March 3, 2016