Designer Hayley Rhind from RHIND. Image supplied.
Hayley Rhind launched her activewear brand RHIND at New Zealand Fashion Week last year after finding success with her womenswear label White Chalk. RHIND came about when Hayley discovered a love of Pilates and HIIT with the brand’s pieces being directional, modern and made in New Zealand. Hayley runs both RHIND and White Chalk from Marlborough where she’s also a proud mum of two boys and runs a farm with her husband.
We caught up with Hayley to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
Our latest collection is Chapter 3.0 – a Monochrome Chapter. It was great to work with just two colours and be able to let the designs do the talking.
What made you become a designer?
Well, it all happened by accident, I was meant to be a girl and boy on the farm not a designer. We were saving hard to buy our first farm and nice clothing for myself wasn’t in our budget. My brother and sister in-law were living in Vietnam at the time so I asked if Ginny could get some clothes made for me if I sent her some drawings. Long story short – my friends wanted to buy the clothes so we started a business and eventually moved production back to New Zealand.
What inspires you?
The fabric! I have always had a thing for fabric, I used to love going to fabric stores with my mother when I was a kid. I love sitting down with a bunch of fabric swatches and designing a collection.
Activewear from RHIND’s latest collection.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
I love being able to incorporate my love of fabrics into everyday casual street wear – I am definitely a casual girl over a dressed-up girl.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
A pair of leather gloves with a fur trim that I found at a second-hand store years and years ago, I seldom wear these but when I do I feel very elegant (and warm).
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
Of course a pair of RHIND leggings – they hold you in all the places that need holding!
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
If you love it, wear it! There’s no point in wearing something just because its on trend, if you don’t love it, it will show through in your confidence.
Activewear from RHIND’s latest collection.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I can’t choose between the feeling of releasing our first NZ made collection or showing at New Zealand Fashion Week 2019 – both have been an amazing achievement that I am extremely proud of.
What can’t you live without?
I would have said my paper diary but I have just caught up with everyone else and started using my phone calendar so I would have to say wide open spaces – I am so lucky to live in the middle of nowhere – it balances out the crazy fashion industry for me!
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Lipstick – I just can’t do it!