Dunedin’s iD Fashion’s loss is Queenstown’s gain.
Highly-respected Kingston designer Jane Sutherland was again accepted into this year’s fashion week — she debuted there in 2009 — which is returning for the first time since 2019.
But deciding to put her family commitments first, she’s instead giving Queenstowners a rare chance to see her clothing and jewellery creations in person at Park Street’s Ivy Box gallery tonight.
Sutherland, who’s been in the fashion game for 19 years, says she’s spent about a month creating some one-off pieces and limited edition garments for the special event, along with some jewellery and accessories.
Describing her aesthetic as ‘‘slightly dark’’, practical yet stylish, the bespoke collection’s capitalising on Slow Fashion Month, which promotes sustainable fashion, rather than ‘fast fashion’.
Her pieces, which will be for sale tonight, are utilising fabrics left over from previous collections, along with Italian and English wools, and recycled metalwork from scrap metal yards
While Sutherland was selling her collections wholesale throughout the country, a couple of years ago she moved solely online — something she describes as ‘‘a bit of a risk’’ — with her workshop/studio only open to the public on occasion and by appointment, making today’s event a rare opportunity for fashionistas.
‘‘I think it’ll be really nice, actually.
‘‘It’s nice to meet the customers, too, and people can see things and touch things … people can go in and have a look at the gallery, as well, and have a wee glass of bubbles.’’
‘Jane Sutherland: Blending fashion, jewellery and art’ is being held from 4pm till 7pm.
