This story is part of Ensemble's fashion week coverage, supported by Viaduct Harbour
It's finally NZ Fashion Week: Kahuria. A celebration of the industry and its talent, the event is about far more than just the clothes. But when it boils down to it, it is also all about clothes.
Before we turn our attention to the runway each day, the Ensemble team will be diligently documenting our own outfits and detailing them right here for your viewing pleasure. Check back each day as our looks are updated.
Day four: Thursday August 31, 2023
The vibes are on today at NZ Fashion Week! It was a spooky scene down at the Viaduct Harbour this morning as a blanket of fog slowly lifted to reveal a crisp sunny day. Stay up to date with the girlies today over on our Instagram and TikTok.
Tyson Beckett, style journalist
When I showed Zoe this blazer/dress I found in Tatty’s Ponsonby store she saw the label and exclaimed, “Do you know what that is!?”. It’s by Street Life, the brand that preceded Workshop, so it’s definitely vintage.
Abigail Dell’Avo, photographer
Serving you RAGS!!! Today, I am wearing a matching bolero and skirt set that I bought from Facebook, my trusty platform Docs and some wide-leg pants I thrifted from the Central Flea Market. I couldn't decide on pants or a skirt - so why not both! However, now that the sun is fully out, I am not too sure if I still back this decision...
Lara Daly, publishing coordinator
After dowsing my eyes in Visine and applying about 12 Band-Aids to my feet this morning, I decided to torture them some more in these Ganni clogs today. I’m wearing a Zambesi tartan wool skirt from Tatty’s, a mesh long sleeve I bought in Melbourne, an Alpha Industries bomber jacket and Georgia Jay bag. My brain was scrambled eggs this morning so I packed another two outfits with me today. Stay tuned!
Zoe Walker Ahwa, editor and co-founder
I have nothing interesting to say about this outfit today... The skirt is by Lisa Says Gah, and the jacket is Prada. I definitely can’t afford new mainline Prada; this was from the outlet store in Hong Kong, many years ago.
The cutest part of my ensemble is the T-shirt with adorbs heart cut-out, which I just bought from local label Loclaire. Designer Frances makes them to order, and you can get it here.
Rebecca Wadey, partnerships and co-founder
I’ve spent a lot of time planning today’s outfit, to celebrate Kate Sylvester’s 30 years in business tonight. I was extremely honoured to be photographed as one of the 30 people important to her brand earlier this year, and wanted my outfit at her show to be a thoughtful representation of the occasion.
The dress is what I wore to her 2007 NZFW Art Groupie show. I was enormously pregnant at the time. I also have a great photo of Kate at my wedding earlier that year in the same dress. The top underneath is, I believe, from the Art Groupie 2008 collection, and has been a brilliant layering piece over the years. My tiny handbag, a gift from a dear friend, is Ulla Johnson and boots are The Row.
Day three: Wednesday August 30, 2023
After some strong coffees, Beroccas and ice-rollers this morning, we headed down to watch the first runway of the day, the Graduate Show, which featured 18 emerging designers from Whitecliffe, Otago Polytechnic (Te Pūkenga) and Massey University. It’s set to be another action packed day at the Viaduct Harbour!
Lara Daly, publishing coordinator
Abi (Dell’Avo) told me looked like a rockstar when I saw her this morning, which is fitting since I feel a teeny tiny bit hungover, whoops. I may have been too excited by the open bar at Nom*D last night... I’m wearing vintage Levi’s from the 70s, Gucci shoes (with freezing toes), a Paris Georgia merino top to keep warm, a Jean Paul Gaultier jacket from Hunters and Collectors, Stolen Girlfriends Club sunnies and a Flora Bird choker. This is my favourite bag ever, found at a market in Mexico for $5 and it fits everything, such as bedazzled microphones. It's a pretty rockstar fit tbh.
Zoe Walker, Ensemble editor and co-founder
This is a ‘vintage’ Karen Walker dress that I bought ages ago on eBay or TradeMe. For the fashion nerds out there: it’s from her 2008 collection ‘Lucky’, inspired by jockeys. There’s a lot of fabric in the skirt so I’m happy it’s a still day in the Viaduct. My feet and legs hurt this morning from walking a lot in heeled boots yesterday, so I’m in my Marni Fussbett flats and never been more comfortable/happier. Plus, my loud Twenty-seven Names coat which attracts comments every single time I wear it (I’ve already received two this morning).
Tyson Beckett, style journalist
I listened to Hunnybee by Unknown Mortal Orchestra on repeat as I got ready this morning and it appears the buzzy vibe rubbed off on my black and yellow outfit. The honeycomb hued shift dress is Twenty-seven Names, coat is A.P.C and I'm still pushing through the pain with these Dr Marten loafers (I’ve got my Acne boots with me to swap into if I give up). A small part of me hasn’t felt like a true Ensemble girly because my thin short hair isn’t exactly conducive to our characteristic oversized hair accessories, but I’m ignoring my self-doubt today with this giant ass Gloria scrunchie that I pounced on in Tatty’s.
Rebecca Wadey, partnerships and co-founder
Today I dressed for the office, not fashion week. While the rest of the team are working from our beautiful suite at the nearby QT, I am popping in and out between meetings around non NZFW stuff (rude! It’s like being made to work on Christmas Day!).
I’m wearing a Twenty-seven Names chiffon silk floral dress, Gucci hoodie from their Chateau Marmont collection, secondhand Doc’s from Tatty’s and the cutest little stocking socks I got in a boutique in Atwater Village in LA a few years back. You will never find me in heels at fashion week. I hate having sore feet and the fact it’s held in Viaduct Harbour, one of the prettiest parts of Tāmaki, makes me want to be able to travel anywhere, anytime. My bag, a gift from a friend, is from the Rodarte S19 fashion show, but it’s really just another opportunity to display the versatility of our enormous bow made in collaboration with Caitlin Snell. (It’s available in two sizes team, no excuses!)
Abigail Dell’Avo, photographer
Today I am wearing a thrifted wool tartan skirt, a black crop and fuzzy long cardigan that I got from my friend Bea (who is now #sliving in Portugal!). I've paired it with a heart necklace and some dangly earrings for some pizzaz. Cute and comfy for taking snaps behind the camera.
Day two: Tuesday August 29, 2023
And we’re off! Fashion Week shows begin today with Kiri Nathan opening the morning with an incredibly heartwarming runway. We’re dressed for a busy day, come along for all the action over on our Instagram and TikTok.
Tyson Beckett, style journalist
Concrete slab chic or boygenius genius cosplay? Take your pick. The woolen skirt and waistcoat are both by Marle and the bag is Georgia Jay. My tights are Bonds from the supermarket under the office and TBH the 15 deniers are not quite cutting it in the cold. The bedazzled microphone is a DIY craft masterpiece by Zoe Walker Ahwa herself.
Rebecca Wadey, partnerships and co-founder
Working from the bottom up I’m wearing boots from The Row, one of my most extravagant purchases ever but honestly the cost per wear of having these boats to strap to my feet and glide through the rivers of Tāmaki’s streets made them totally worth it. The skirt is Twenty-seven Names, the t-shirt is Rodarte, because mushrooms and tie dye. The sunglasses are Celine but the most important part of my ensemble is my Ensemble x Caitlin Snell bow; a collaboration we are launching this week for all the bow obsessed girlies out there, and judging from the comments I’ve had this morning there’s lots of us out there. Watch this space!
Lara Daly, publishing coordinator
I’m wearing a Miss Crabb sample dress from Tatty’s and a T-shirt by Kiwi designer Rose Murdoch, with a Twenty-seven Names blazer borrowed from Rebecca. The tights are from Farmers (if you squint they look like Gucci, no?) with my Doc Marten loafers that have an orthopedic insert for comfort, perfect for all the running around today. All my silver jewelry is by my talented friend, Flora Bird, and this faux snakeskin Prada handbag I bought from a roadside stall in Bali.
Zoe Walker Ahwa, editor and co-founder
On Friday, Tyson said, “you are spiritually a bow”, and I’ve never felt more seen. This bow adorned jacket is by a young designer, Heather Brennan Evans – when I saw it walk down the runway at her show last month, worn by one of my fave models Crystal Lim, I had to have it. I’m also in a position in my career (and finances) where I like to buy pieces from young designers rather than borrow them. The skirt, in ugly chic green, is old Prada from Scotties Recycle. I’ve had a photo of writer Emilia Petrarca wearing it with a matching jacket in my Instagram saves for ages, so when I saw it at Scotties, I gasped and bought it. My merino polo is an old Salasai one I’ve had for years, and the teeny tiny bag is Georgia Jay and actually fits a lot – though not the usual spiral bound reporters’ notebook that I usually have at NZFW.
Abigail Dell'Avo, photographer
I love wearing dresses and I love a good denim moment. I knew I was going to be feet all day so I prepared for that with some flat chunky boots which are comfortable. I bought my accessories unethically through Ali Express lol, I do wear them ALOT though so I feel like that justifies the purchase? My dressing tactic for Fashion Week is winging it every morning!
Zach Emerson, videographer
The vest is thrifted from Crushes, worn over my band t-shirt (my band is called LA Women) and then Dickies pants and Docs. I wanted to look nice for Fashion Week, obviously, but also had to be practical as I'm working shooting video. This is a great camera bag, and I love the colour. Not sure where it came from though.
Day 1: Monday, August 28, 2023
First up, the outfits we picked (fitting the requested modest/mostly black dress code) to attend the moving opening ceremony hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei at Ōrākei marae on Monday morning.
Tyson Beckett, style journalist
I bought these Dr. Marten loafers off Designer Wardrobe and have spent the past fortnight hobbling around in an effort to break them in. If I wear them all week I might have it done by Friday. The long dress is from Alpha 60 and the vest and A.P.C coat on top are both from Tatty’s. I’d been planning to wear this Wynn Hamlyn vest later in the week but because the pattern reminded me of tukutuku panels, I threw it on as I left the house and headed to Ōrākei marae for this morning’s beautiful pōwhiri.
Rebecca Wadey, Ensemble co-founder
I’m wearing a Phillip Lim shirt I bought years ago from Barneys NY (RIP) and that has seen me through many fashion weeks, worn under a Juliette Hogan dress from about three years ago that’s one of my best ever purchases. The leather jacket is from Sister (Kate Sylvester’s original brand), that I bought with my student loan in 1995. Plus, Dr. Martens shoes I bought recently from Tatty’s, a Caitlin Snell bow and Prada handbag.
Lara Daly, publishing coordinator
I'm wearing a pre-owned Zambesi wool skirt from Tatty's and a vintage Zambesi jacket borrowed from a friend. I love the oversized buttons on the jacket, it feels a bit Fran Fine from The Nanny so I leaned into that and added a Moschino handbag with a kitschy chain strap, bought from Hunters and Collectors. Cheap and chic. I also threw on a big green velvet scrunchie from Gloria, keeping with the preppy vibe. In hindsight I would have worn another layer, my lips were turning purple!
Zoe Walker, Ensemble editor and co-founder
I actually bought this Sylvester dress earlier this year for a funeral, so it’s nice to be able to give it a more joyful outing. The boots are Intentionally Blank (bought online), and the sunglasses are Liberty from Specsavers (I was gifted these ages ago). It was fresh in that sunshine, so I did also have on a Twenty-seven Names coat and gloves that I went and bought this morning from the supermarket.
