Kiwi Invasion (part one)
Two Seasons ago, New Zealand based designer, Karen Walker, began showing her collection at New York’s Olympus Fashion week. It’s been a love story between her and the world’s top fashion editors ever since. Widely known as “the editor’s design darling” Karen Walker expresses her style through quirky but wearable pieces that convey today’s true sportswear (a title no longer reserved for American designers). Check out what some editors have said about her Fall 2007 collection, “Karen to the Rescue”. (below)
Available at Lily Savitch a Boutique and online at www.lilysavitch.com
“For her second show in New York, New Zealander Karen Walker chose as her muse a thirties comic-book superheroine, one who leads a double life. Such a whimsical starting point could have translated into runway disaster, but Walker knows how to finesse a slightly off-kilter theme. Pretty capped sleeves on printed blouses and dresses subtly echoed standard-issue superhero fare. The designer likes to pair masculine with feminine, and here she cut menswear wools in Depression era silhouettes of the sort that once populated Katharine Hepburn’s closet. These were layered with Lycra pieces in a graphic lightning-bolt print, adding a fresh pop of humour to the serious tailoring.”
“Along the way, Walker managed to weave in several disparate elements - from bright nylon anoraks to a covetable but relatively plain-Jane black day dress - without producing the jarring feeling on a phone-booth quick-change. A year in, this designer is already establishing herself as another exciting part of the city’s growing expat contingent. ”
- Meenal Mistry, Style.com
“It’s her second season in New York and New Zealand designer Karen Walker shows no sign of slowing down. Hers is a kooky, confident customer who wants a wardrobe full of interesting, unique clothes - but who could just as well murder a well tailored little black dress. For autumn / winter 2007-8, they’ll grab a red beret as they leave the house and cram it on oh-so-casually over a shapely tweed jacket and high-waisted black trousers. Karen showed off about her new partnership with designer poet Henry Holland when the mood took her, but that didn’t threaten her serious talent for cutting - shown off most profitably by stunningly sculpted wool jackets that were elegantly shapely at the shoulder. Her light, easy-going, fashion fun touch reappeared again with touches of Lurex in a T-shirt or a belt around the neck, a pop art-style heart surrounded by lightening bolts on one model’s chest and bright blue anoraks belted by leather straps. Thirties shapes combined with modern fabrics and Walker’s signature lack of pretension gave a good, self-assured impression - this lady knows just where she’s going.”
- Dolly Jones, Vogue.com
“Karen Walker, a New Zealand designer who began showing here last season, seemed of a mind to mix references to film heroines ( sharp-shouldered jackets romantic ruffles ) with quirky takes on sportswear. That meant playful boleros and dresses done in brightly coloured poncho nylon and adorable tams and caps tied with bonnet sashes. ”
- Cathy Horyn, New York Times, U.S.A.
You know you wore your Matt Bernson Love Sandals to DEATH this Summer, but what will take over during the upcoming colder months? Well, if Matt Bernson can make the perfect Summer sandal then why not the perfect Autumn boot too? A little tough, but still feminine. A little riding boot-ish, but not like you’re going on a fox hunt. Oh, and definitely a yummy soft leather.
