Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the cover of TIME. Image by by Djeneba Aduayom for TIME.
Our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern features on the cover of the latest issue of TIME who have written a story on her influence and learnings nearly a year on from the Christchurch shootings in March last year. For the cover Jacinda wore a white silk top she has had for several seasons by local label Ingrid Starnes whose garments she has worn many times over her career. Jacinda is well known for her support of New Zealand fashion and wears locally designed garments for all her high profile public engagements. That support means a lot to Kiwi designers and has helped to raise the profile of them on an international stage too.
The international magazine cover is an exciting moment for designer Ingrid Starnes and her team with the brand sharing the news on their social media this morning, “This white silk piece is nearly three years old, and like many things the PM wears, has been in steady rotation. It was made one afternoon before the debates leading to the last election. We’d put together the suit for the evening, and it felt like it needed a cleaner simpler top, so Ingrid and Alex in our team quickly cut, sewed and finished the piece. We love the way the PM supports local, and how her values always shine through. The cover of Time would probably count as reason enough for a new top, but like all our pieces – that we hope will be worn and loved for years to come – this top, cared for, carefully made and considered, comes out. It’s the kind of sustainability we love, and the kind of quiet approach to just doing things for the right reasons that we are so proud to see on the world stage.”