In this month’s Fashion Five, we speak to the designer behind her namesake brand Anne Mardell. With over four decades of designing and creating beautiful clothing, Anne Mardell has thrived in the New Zealand fashion industry since 1981.
Q. You began Mardell in 1981; what is your secret to a successful fashion brand and business?
A. It’s no secret. Having a stable work/life balance enables enduring relationships with customers, staff, and suppliers. Good things flow from this.
Q. What is your inspiration behind designing each collection, and how do you stand out from other brands?
A. Inspiration is limited to and inspired by fabrics. We source material from France, Holland, Japan and Korea. Manufacture of garments is undertaken in Aotearoa, and this adds to our point of difference along with the continued use of the bust dart in most of our garments, creating feminine shapes.
Q. Tell us about your latest collection?
A. Summer 22 is chock-full of colour, airy pastels, like honey and petal, to rich spices, sumac and pimento.
Q. What are the three items of clothing that women should invest in and why?
A. For this Summer season you cannot go past a wide-legged pant, a linen gauze blouse and a timeless viscose print dress.
Q. What is your advice for women stuck in a fashion rut?
A. Shop at independent stores that will offer good honest advice and try new styles and colours that you have not worn previously.
You can shop the latest collection at:
Mardell, 51 Picton St, Howick | Ph: (09) 534 8718 | www.mardell.co.nz
