Fashion In Focus

In 1997, Steve Dunstan and his then business-partner Dan Buckley started what was to become one of New Zealand’s most loved and most recognisable fashion brands. Rooted in street, skate and snow culture, Huffer grew and grew through careful nurturing of social groups, tapping into music and fashion in an organic, natural way. Huffer is truly a household name now in New Zealand and will go down as a seminal brand in our country's sartorial history books. The brand's 2020 campaign was shot in the shell of what has become huffer’s latest big project - Huffer House - and it’s this community-minded, creative hub that founder Steve Dunstan joins Murray to discuss in this latest episode.

A trip to India to study with, and learn from garment workers, led New Zealand-based women's wear designer Natalie Procter to start her own label in Auckland, and focus its narrative firmly on the people who help it come to life. In 2020, the global pandemic has pulled this narrative sharply into focus, with many other businesses starting to promote this positive, emotional side to their world, too. Likewise consumers have acted to shelter friends and businesses from the effects of an economic downturn, and have begun extolling those same selfless virtues that became so prevalent when Covid hit. For Natalie, that deeply emotional, honest and authentic interest in people and their talents and stories didn’t start in March 2020 but rather started in her childhood in South Africa where she saw people enjoying life to the full while existing on simple means. It was the passion and community that inspired her, and these are pillars she has brought into her business today. Natalie sat down with Murray to share her story and why it's the people, not the product, that shape her world.

As modelling careers go, Kiwi sensation Juliette Perkins has achieved what most other young girls could only dream of. Growing up in Nelson, New Zealand, Juliette's life changed when she was signed to international mega-agency IMG at the age of 15, and later moved to Paris at just 16, catapulting her into fierce competition alongside the world's biggest names. But unlike so many before her who may have chased fame over steady income, Juliette has assessed the industry and knows her strengths, meaning her pathway to success has been unique and, ultimately, extremely rewarding. So what's next for this uber-talented 21 year old? She spoke to Murray about her early career, her dream jobs, and the post-Covid world she's envisioning.

Kiri Nathan is one of New Zealand's most renowned Maori fashion designers, and has positioned herself as the guiding light for many young indigenous designers looking to find their way in the fashion world. Along with her husband Jason, himself a skilled self-taught carver of Pounamu, Kiri has led designers to push their own boundaries both locally and around the world, including taking a group of 15 Maori creatives to China on a hikoi to understand first-hand how the biggest world markets operate. Murray caught up with Kiri off the back of her 2020 MNZM honour to discuss how indigenous designers can uphold their traditions and culture in today's marketplace without compromise.

New York-based Lili Sumner is one of New Zealand's most well-known models working internationally. Having graced the pages and covers of many top international magazines, fashion campaigns and runways, she's now turning her creative eye to the world of film-making. Lili chatted to Rosie Herdman about her modelling journey and foray into film, sharing advice and talking about her latest project.

'How Laura Brown is making fashion fun again' sums up how the Editor-in-Chief of America's highest-selling fashion magazine has gone about her business in her incredible rise through the ranks over the past 20 years. Now at ease with a circle of friends and collaborators including the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Laura Dern, Rebel Wilson, Rihanna, Kate Hudson, Emily Ratajkowski and many more, Brown has positioned herself as one of the industry's most magnetic, honest, fun and down-to-earth creators today. Murray spoke to her from her home in NYC during the Covid-19 lockdown to hear about her outlook on fashion, women in business, the myth of celebrity and how fashion needs to build stronger communities based on honesty, bravery and 'under-thinking it'.

It's April 20, 2020, and Fashion Revolution Week has just started around the world. The week-long event to commemorate the Rana Plaza collapse where 1132 garment factory workers died has united fashion companies and customers alike in a march towards greater sustainability, transparency and ultimately accountability within the fashion industry. Murray Bevan talks with Jacinta Fitzgerald of Make.Good about the very complex landscape of fashion sustainability and what's next on the global agenda.

London-based New Zealander Greta Villiger is succeeding on the global fashion stage and making it look effortless. Starting with 1st Class Honours from design school in Sydney, Greta landed roles with Christopher Kane and Chloe before senior positions at Jonathan Saunders and J.W. Anderson. Greta now spends her time between Paris and London working for Spanish luxury house LOEWE. Greta spoke with Murray over Zoom during the Covid-19 lockdown to talk about her love of fashion and her work at some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses.

Georgia Alice is the brand that has come to epitomise New Zealand's newest wave of internationally-focused young designers. Launched in 2013 with the help of Showroom 22, designer and founder Georgia Currie has gone on to refine the brand into an award-winning, aspirational, ready-to-wear trailblazer with stockists around the world. Georgia sat down with Fashion In Focus host India Leishman to talk about her career to date, industry pressures, life as a working mother and what drives her.

India speaks with Sally-Ann Mullin about her role as a leading stylist in New Zealand fashion and film, and her journey out of film and into print media. As Bauer Media NZ announce their decision to shutter the doors at their NZ head office, Sally's insights about the state of the industry and a potential move back into film are perfectly timed.

Australian fashion journalist Grace O'Neill shares her experiences with India Leishman, from cracking her dream writing job to what it really takes to survive and thrive in the global fashion week circuit.

Maggie Marilyn designer and creative director Maggie Hewitt sits down with India Leishman to discuss the rapid rise of her namesake label and the relentless pursuit of making fashion a greener economy.

Murray sat down with Deadly Ponies directors Liam Bowden and Steve Boyd to chat about the business's 15 year history and some incredible plans for 2020 and beyond.