What is the inspiration behind your latest collection, otherside?
The past year has seen a huge shift within the world, and it’s been incredibly challenging for everyone. Moving into 2021 there is this eagerness for us to move on and move forward. Palette One: Otherside, draws on past favourites, present needs, and future moments, encouraging our imaginations to explore the hopeful promise of what lies ahead.
moochi has been in the business of fashion for twenty years now; how has your creative process changed during this time?
When we started there was this new thing called the internet, but fashion was not really on it. There was no Instagram or Facebook, the closest we got to global fashion trends was through magazines or expensive travel. Now you can learn so much at your fingertips. In some ways this almost makes you look inward even more. I was taught that fashion was on a 10 year cycle, my view now is that despite everything moving so fast, the cycle is actually 20 years. I have gone back to look at work done in our early years a lot lately to review proportions especially, lengths of tops, fullness of skirts, width of pant hems. It’s fascinating!
Why is creating long-lasting fashion such a key part of your brand and how do you balance that with fast moving trends?
We all love something new and exciting and fashion has long held an important place in our expression of who we are and how we wish to be perceived. A new trend can make you feel so fresh and alive, like a new haircut can. Enjoy these moments, they help date and tell the story of our lives.
At Moochi we believe it’s also important to build your wardrobe with pieces that will go the distance, that feel modern and yet timeless, like a black pant that is cut perfectly for your shape. You shouldn’t feel like something you bought last summer is not ok to wear next summer. We talk about value per wear with our designs. For example a leather jacket may seem really expensive but 10 years on when you have worn it every other day, you can appreciate it was worth every cent.
What makes creating in New Zealand so special?
The New Zealand industry is like a village, it’s intimate and very personal. Our makers come and go with cut work and finished goods from our business each day. There is great respect for what each company does for the other, we know we need each other in equal measure and things run on a unique rhythm. We have been making in New Zealand since we began and I don’t see this changing. I love that moochi has kept so much local for so long.
What words of wisdom would you offer to other small business owners just starting out?
Do what you love to do, as you are going to need to work hard at it, so you may as well enjoy it! Be sure to have your costings strategies right, put time into the numbers as well as your exciting creative ideas. It will pay off.
As creatives and business owners, what is the most rewarding part of what you do?
Seeing women wearing moochi! It’s amazing to see and meet women who love their moochi, wear it a lot and keep supporting the brand because it works for them and the way they love to live and feel.
I also love it when the team rallies to solve an issue and they turn it to an opportunity. We are such a passionate team and we make the impossible possible, on the daily.
Are there any special projects in the works that you’re able to share with us?
There are a few discussions on the go around new retail, but this year we are also very focussed internally on our processes. To deliver amazing product each week we need to ensure things are robust and can cope as we grow. We are getting close to launching a new website though, with some exciting new features we can’t wait to share!
