The Edmund Hillary collection on the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week 2018. Image by James Yang Photography.
Debuting at New Zealand Fashion Week 2018 was The Edmund Hillary Collection and what an absolute pleasure it was. This premium outdoor clothing brand is for adventure lovers alike, and inspired by the legend Sir Edmund Hillary himself and his original climbing garments.
The show opened with a video showing some key moments of Sir Ed and his achievements, including his climb up Everest in 1953. What a champion that guy was, the footage gave me goose bumps. The show followed with some heavy beats from the ‘Beyond the Edge’ soundtrack which included 816 to Nunhead – Chaos in the CBD.
From soft luxurious looking knitwear, to casual yet classy denim jeans. I was blown away bt how simple, and cool (pun intended) each look really was. I was half expecting a catwalk full of puffy jackets and mittens ready to hit the snow, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how completely wearable each and every garment actually was.
The models oozed confidence and this collection really showcased how warm, comfortable clothing can not only protect you from the elements, but also be stylish. The collection showcased a range of garments including: Well fitted bomber jackets, high-necked knitwear, block coloured scarves, textured vests, and my personal favourite – the blue and white mountain print woollen jerseys. They reminded me of cool, winter nights rugged up by the fire.
The runway occasionally gave us some beautiful coloured knitted tops in lush greens, jaw-dropping blues and my personal favourite – a bright red. The occasional pop of bright rich colour on the catwalk was broken up with lots of earthy tones as well as blues, greys, cream and beige. I can actually imagine Kiwi blokes wearing this range, with a few key pieces like the pants and cardigans being able to be dressed up or down.
Another highlight for me was the smart ‘Hillary’ emblem/logo on the bomber jackets – I thought it looked really smart and just added the final touch without being too over the top.
Giving back is as much a part of the brand as making amazing clothes. You can feel good about purchasing your favourite pieces from this brand as a percentage from every sale goes to support causes close to Sir Ed’s heart. This brand is seasonless, which means investing in a quality piece which will never go out of style. Hello sustainable fashion!
The show finished with George, Alexander and Lily Hillary modelling the collection bearing their name which was a really nice touch to the finale. A little bird told us there’s garments for the ladies coming out next year.
The show finished with the perfect outro music Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross which was completely relevant and had me leaving with a smile on my face, amazing.
Who’s ready for adventure?
Beauty Notes: Led by Bailey Grant from Kristen Stewart, the look was very simple and fresh, with natural tones, soft, rosy cheeks and a nude lip. The hair look is also very natural and follows the model’s natural texture. The hair team was headed by Sara Allsop from Dharma. (Beauty notes by Nina Franklin).
Soundtrack: Heavy, delicious bass to accompany the models. David Long – ‘Beyond the Edge’.
Hot Item: More like cool item, the blue/white woolen knit was my absolute favourite. I want one for myself to snuggle up in.
Images by James Yang Photography.