Designer Jacqueline Roper established her own couture womenswear label Jacqueline Anne Couture this year after a long career working in fashion in Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles. She set up her own brand with the vision of creating garments that are elegant and timeless. Jacqueline Anne Couture will debut at New Zealand Fashion Week on Tuesday 27th August at Auckland’s Town Hall Concert Chamber.
We caught up with Jacqueline to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
This is my official debut collection, it’s a collection of romance and delicacy and femininity, starting with the first capsule collection ‘Botanical Empyrean’. It features soft hues of feminine prints of floral and elegant hummingbird print or muted floral, contrasting with statement emerald greens and rich royal blues. The second capsule collection ‘Sugar pop Tweed’ has the brightest pastel palettes of mint, yellow, blues and pinks. It’s about Summer Tweeds blending into beautiful silhouettes with silk organza, tulle and embellished with delicate feathers. The third and final capsule collection is rightly titled “Derby Stakes” and brings a punch of black and white indulgence with an edge, combining the soft silks with die-cut PU Laces, dresses that flare from the waists and skirts dropped pencil-thin to below the knee.
What made you become a designer?
I have been designing clothing since I was four, starting with making clothes for my Teddy bear and dolls, I have a memory of hand sewing doll clothes in the back of the car on the way to nana’s house. I have been lucky enough to have worked all over the world, so it’s what I’ve always done, it’s part of me, it’s always been inside me.
What inspires you?
Everything around, different cultures, different art forms, historical fashion editorials, and Haute Couture and also my little girl ‘Denim’, she is so innocent in her approach to creating and art but so creative in her execution.
Looks from Jacqueline Anne Couture’s debut collection.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
My own personal style is very classic and feminine, with a bit of an edge. I like clean lines with strong contrasts, or feminine prints and silhouettes.
What is your all-time favorite purchase?
I have the most amazing suede Roberto Cavalli heels, they fit like a glove and when I wear them I feel total euphoria.
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
A classic white shirt (silk, cotton or linen),
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
No, and I wear white all year round it’s my signature colour.
Looks from Jacqueline Anne Couture’s debut collection.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I have had a few; I think been young and working in Paris at Pret’a’Porter was an amazing time, especially the role of selecting the male models for Nigel Curtiss’ collection. There were very few Kiwis in the world of fashion at the time so the best looking men in the world spent a lot of time wanting to hear my kiwi accent (not complaining). The other highlight that sticks out; while designing for a global brand Burton (snowboards) my designs were often featured in international trend magazines (made me very proud to be a kiwi).
What can’t you live without?
Colour in my life and a good cup of Bell tea
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Crocs.
Images supplied.