On the runway at Maggie Marilyn NZFW 2019. Image by Getty Images.
Maggie Marilyn made the brand’s highly anticipated runway debut today with designer Maggie Hewitt choosing New Zealand Fashion Week 2019 to present her first full runway show. It’s fair to say that there has been a lot of excitement about her presentation and with NZFW’s focus on sustainability it couldn’t have been a better time for the sustainably-focused brand to take to the runway.
And what a runway it was, The Glasshouse in Morningside usually has lovely greenery but the venue had been transformed into a lush garden with crisscrossing washing lines pegged with Maggie Marilyn garments. Into the garden stepped the designer herself, with Maggie Hewitt giving a brief and humble speech about the brand’s success, what it means to her and how much she has learned as a young business owner. It was a meaningful personal touch by the designer who cares very deeply about her brand and how to minimise fashion’s impact on the environment.
The collection that followed her speech was the brand’s Season 9 range and it was full of all the signature Maggie Marilyn pieces with some gorgeous new looks too. The opening look was a winsome blue suit with the designer’s favoured ruffles running up the centre front and around the neck paired with a matching crop top and roomy tailored trousers. It was elegant and modern with a dash of romanticism and so much charm.
The looks that followed were effortless and chic with soft hues of pink, blue, grey, beige and apple green juxtaposed with navy, black and emerald green. Usually the designer rarely does much black but this collection featured several all-black looks that were sophisticated and very wearable. Flowing skirts in ladylike lengths were contrasted with strappy mini dresses cascading with ruffles. Suiting was tailored but still relaxed and cut to flatter. Maggie has mastered the art of the power blazer. Among the many strong pieces was a full-length emerald coat dress with a full skirt paired with a buttoned up white shirt and belted pouch. Whether the Maggie Marilyn customer is looking for the perfect pieces for work or play she will be spoilt for choice with this sublime range.
Maggie wanted the show to be a celebration of the brand’s makers, customers, friends and family, many of whom were in the audience. The enthusiastic applause for the finale walk and then the designer and her team signaled that all those present were suitably impressed with what they saw, heard and felt. It isn’t easy to build a successful fashion business but Maggie Marilyn certainly has lots of people of the brand’s side and rightly so. Fashion focused on being sustainable is definitely fashion done right.
Images by Getty Images.