Securing one of the world’s largest luxury online retail giants with her debut collection, it’s clear we have another exciting sartorial prodigy in our midst.
With the spate of undeniably talented and brave young local designers blossoming before our eyes of late, it was only a matter of time before we infiltrated the prestigious global fashion bubble. Brands like Sean Kelly, Georgia Alice, Wynn Hamlyn and Paris Georgia Basics have all been making us immensely proud with their efforts to place New Zealand firmly on the global fashion scene. And so it is with much excitement that yet another promising young talent has emerged in our midst, offering a fresh directional style. A feminist, a dreamer and someone with an unparalleled entrepreneurial ambition that has brought her overnight success, may we introduce Maggie Hewitt and her label, Maggie Marilyn.
Setting the scene for her future success, Hewitt is fresh from winning over the buyers at the prestigious online retailer Net-A-Porter. Her debut collection, Resort 17, single-handedly won the hearts of the revered luxury online fashion retail giant, making her the first New Zealander ever to do so. And in the face of their infamously tough stance on picking up fresh blood, let alone debut collections, this is an achievement not to be taken lightly.
Officially launching in New Zealand at The Shelter this September, Maggie Marilyn’s strong, sensual tailoring with just the right amount of whimsical elegance is crafted from beautiful fabrics that are finished with an attention-grabbing edge — a prerequisite for a look that’s confident, sophisticated and modern.
Echoing the severity of Australian labels Ellery and Dion Lee, Hewitt’s designs also embody the playfulness of European designers Acne and Erdem, as well as the sophisticated flair typical of American labels Proenza Schouler and The Row. Combine that with Maggie Marilyn’s trans-seasonal approach to dressing — a prolific trend seizing the industry whereby wearability plays a crucial part in the design and creative process — as well as ethical practices that hold their own, it’s easy to see why Hewitt is at the very forefront of a new generation of designers. Her stance is clear, she lives to create “clothing that enriches the lives of the customer as well as the lives of the people involved in the textile and garment production.”
Romantic ruffles are complemented by fraying and imperfect edges, tailored silk shirts, mid-length linen skirts, and sheer-sleeved blouses feature an abundance of ruching at the neck and collars, reminiscent of rose-accented floral arrangements. And in a nod to the 70s, billowing sleeves and off the shoulder looks expose just the right amount of décolléte. A neutral palette of white, nude, camel, cream, blush and splashes of denim complete the collection, while every piece is designed to be layered and worn in numerous ways where creativity and practicality exist in perfect harmony.
Having only graduated in 2015, it is clear that the brave Bay of Islands-born designer has entrepreneurial blood running through her veins. With a global ambition that cites Net-A- Porter as just the beginning — her dream is to be stocked in every major department store universally alongside a plethora of stand-alone Maggie Marilyn stores — Hewitt’s inaugural collection shows maturity beyond her years, leaving us greatly anticipating what she has up her billowing sleeves next.
Maggie Marilyn will be available exclusively from The Shelter from September 2016.
