Designers Kat Parker and Drew Gregory from Thing Thing. Image supplied.
Kat Parker and Drew Gregory are the designer duo behind contemporary clothing label Thing Thing which they have been working on together since 2014. Between them they create women’s and men’s collections that have a streetwear feel but broader appeal. They’ve just dropped their new collection DAYZED for the summer season which is a playful range full of easy to wear looks.
We caught up with Kat and Drew to find out more about their brand, what inspires them and what you would never catch them wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
The DAYZED 18 collection is purposely eclectic. A dash of the 50’s, with modern bold prints, pastel palettes in a range of summer-appropriate fabrics. Like all of our ranges, Dayzed is versatile and designed to work for all occasions depending on how you dress it up or down.
What made you become designers?
DG: I inherited design genes from my mother who is an artist so have always thought that a creative path was where I was headed. Through my teen years my friends and I were into punk, hip hop, skateboarding and I started to take interest in the designers and artists behind it all. It soon clicked that I could actually make a living creating things that I had a passion for.
KP: Apparently I was extremely picky about what I wore since the age of two, and growing up I was always creatively led. While studying Graphic Design I did an internship for a clothing brand, after designing some t-shirt graphics I was asked to design a dress, I was hooked after that.
What inspires you?
DG: I’m inspired by collaboration, risk, the great outdoors, and my daughters drawings.
KP: I love taking something old and making it new, and mixing different eras and cultures. I am forever going into op-shops in the small towns of New Zealand, yet love a trip to New York to keep the inspiration balanced.
Look from Thing Thing’s DAYZED collection.
Describe your personal style/s and how it influences your designs?
DG: A bit of a minimalist. Often monochromatic… I’m an inveterate wearer of black. But I don’t let that stop me injecting colour into the range.
KP: Again it’s a mix. Simple, easy to wear, quality fabrics but always with a twist!
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
DG: My Canon 5D.
KP: My Comme des garçons converse, I wear them every single day.
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
DG: A denim jacket.
KP: Something linen!
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
DG: Go with the flow.
KP: There are no rules.
Looks from Thing Thing’s DAYZED collection.
What has been the highlight of your careers so far?
DG: Would have to be when our brand started getting overseas recognition. Seeing something that we started being featured in Hypebeast and stocked in stores internationally were proud moments.
KP: Returning to New Zealand from London and starting Thing Thing!
What can’t you live without?
DG: Sarcasm.
KP: My slippers.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch us wearing…
This industry is always changing, never say never!
Image supplied.