Three New Zealand designers who started out in a garage

We are recognising three New Zealand designers who set out to create something special in their garage.

Augustine

Family owned and run, Augustine was started by Kelly and Nathan Coe, Augustine began as an idea to brighten up the New Zealand fashion scene. It has quickly grown from a garage start up to a 40-person operation. Stocked across 60 boutiques and five sand alone stores, Augustine provides affordable and stylish outfit options to women across New Zealand.

Their pieces are made in very small runs, with most styles on the shop floor being one of only 50 pieces. Kelly and Nathan plan to stay close to their humble roots, highlighting their love of personal touches in small family run boutiques.

Zambesi

While not strictly a garage start-up, Zambesi was founded by eldest of four Liz Findlay, who learned the basic of dressmaking from her mother.

Founder Liz Findlay now employs a team of highly skilled machinists working out of their garages to create beautiful garments. It is common practice for New Zealanddesigners to employ migrant seamstresses who work out of their garages, creating a majority of New Zealand’s upmarket fashion pieces.

Ryan Turner

High-end, androgynous fashion designer Ryan Turner dreams of growing his already successful label beyond the realm of his garage-based studio.Having interned with the likes of Jason Lingard, Ryan is tipped to make a big splash in the NZ fashion scene, offering clothing to all New Zealanders, regardless of age, gender or size.