Fashion Face-Off: North Island vs South Island

Kiwis are a down-to-earth bunch and our sense of style is equally relaxed. Think comfy and casual – jandals in summer, puffer jackets in winter, that kinda thing. And we’re big on natural fabrics; this is the home of Icebreaker (the kings of merino) and Silkbody (champions for natural silk) after all. Oh, and did I mention black? A lot of that, too.

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When it comes to fashion the big hitters hail from the North Island. Auckland’s the home of New Zealand Fashion Week and the biggest shopping selection, while Wellington can crow about its awesomely alternative style. Karen Walker’s slick signature style and bold prints have found fans in Madonna and Tyra Banks. You may have seen Trelise Cooper’s colourful, avant-garde aesthetic (those funky Air New Zealand crew uniforms? All Trelise!) on young Suri Cruise. Kate Sylvester’s feminine and sophisticated clothing and WORLD’s edgy tailoring are enduring staples of the Kiwi fashion scene. Or, if it’s street threads you’re after, you can’t look past Huffer – created by surfers/skateboarders as “board shorts inspired fashion”. 

But that’s not to say the South Island doesn’t have its own sense of style. Nelson’s Museum of Wearable Art (though the annual fashion show is now held in Wellington) is a showstopper, while in historic and genteel Christchurch the vibe is more classic (particularly during Cup and Show Week!). It’s Dunedin, however, that’s the undisputed fashion capital of the south. For one, it’s got its own fashion show – iD Fashion Week, held at the railway station. For another, it’s spawned several top labels; apparently life in a cold and isolated university town, surrounded by beautiful gothic architecture, is a real creativity booster. Some of New Zealand’s most iconic designers hail from Dunedin, including sisters Elisabeth Findlay of Zambesi (now Auckland-based) and Margi Robertson of Nom*D. Nom*D’s calling card is dark, brooding, woollen and stark. By contrast, fellow Dunedin designer Tanya Carlson plays up the colour factor, with handcrafted details and layers for a more whimsical effect.

But wherever you are, farmer or not, you can’t go wrong with Swanndri – the classic tartan bush shirt. The proof’s in the pudding: the label has collaborated with Barkers and Karen Walker – now that’s a solid endorsement.