Paula Murphy, designer of Hideseekers.
Paula Murphy's lifelong love of fashion saw her working with denim brands and with her own label SIM before she had a break from fashion to start a family and returned with her new label Hideseekers in 2012. Hideseekers has evolved from Paula's adoration of natural fabrics and she creates luxurious designs in leather, cotton, cashmere and silk which have a growing following of loyal fans.
We caught up with Paula to find out more about her newly released winter collection, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
Our Winter 16 collection is titled ‘Stones’ and draws inspiration from Mick and Bianca in St Tropez, and the Jet Set Bohemians of the early 70s. The colour palette is rich with gemstone references, so we have luxurious cashmere sweaters in Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Howlite and Black Onyx, worn with butter-soft leather wrap skirts. Then because we are all about the texture, we have dusty suede pinafores and high-waisted shorts which contrast beautifully against lurex flecked silks.
What made you become a designer?
It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, since people first started asking "What do you want to be when you grow up?” I still have plenty of days when I’m not quite sure I’m a proper grown up yet.
What inspires you?
Texture, sparkly things, music, contrast and colour.
Look from Hideseekers Stones collection for winter 2016.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your products and brand?
I’m very tactile with my clothing choices – I can’t wear scratchy wools or polyester and polo necks make me claustrophobic. Generally I like to mix it up depending on my mood. Some days I feel really good in tailored pants and a cashmere sweater with brogues, other days I’m in full boho mode and wear floor length silk skirts. This is really how my brand came about – I wanted good quality luxury basics that I could mix and match depending on my mood, in my favourite fabrics – leather, cotton, cashmere and silk.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
Hard to call an all-time favourite, but they usually fall in the footwear category – my Saint Laurent glitter pumps are pretty magical.
What wardrobe item should every woman invest in?
Luxury basics in quality fabrics – a leather jacket, cashmere sweater, sexy cotton T, and luxurious silk slips and camis.
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
Go for a proportionate contrast – tight up top, loose down below. If it’s a full skirt or trou, then go with a closer fitting top. I also try and avoid heels that I can’t walk at least a block in, sore feet and grimace face ruins the whole look.
Looks from Hideseekers Stones collection for winter 2016.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
In my pre-children days, I had a clothing label and store (SIM) on the corner of Nuffield St and Remuera Road in Newmarket. A clever friend suggested we invite the fashion editors for breakfast and have models getting changed in and out of the new season range in the large front window, to create a bit of interest and draw attention to our new store. Another friend was working on breakfast radio at the time, and so we did a live radio crossover interview. Ten minutes later a TV crew turned up in the store and we had bought peak hour traffic in both directions to a standstill. That night our little no budget 'instore promo’ got featured in a segment at the end of both TV2 and 3 News. I remember sitting on the couch with my husband, as both the phones started going ballistic, just shaking my head in disbelief…
What can’t you live without?
Friends and family, being in close proximity to the beach and anything baking wise that includes ginger.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Well never say never, but it’s pretty unlikely you’d catch me wearing anything purple.
Images supplied.