Verve sat down with Aly, the beautiful face behind Love Knot War, to chat about designing and producing a clothing range in New Zealand, and where her inspiration comes from.
How did you get into the fashion industry?
Growing up surrounded by talented sewers, I had a love of fashion from a young age creating clothes with my mother and grandmother, at high school I would create outfits for myself and friends including PVC flare pants in different colours that became like traveling pants being shared between friends.
What made you want to open an online boutique?
Love Knot War was started after having my third child and going through a huge life change. I found my passion for fashion in kids clothing. I struggled to find cute, practical but stylish kids clothing so I started making my own little merino outfits which I popped up online and they become really popular. As the business grew I was getting a lot of requests for women’s clothing, so I started doing a few matching pieces (Mum and Child Twinning) and things took off from there.
What makes creating in New Zealand so special?
It’s a lot of hard work, but a lot of heart goes into our creations and it makes you proud to be NZ made.
What are the challenges you have faced owning a small business in New Zealand?
Competing with brands being manufactured abroad. Also sourcing materials in NZ is something that has become harder and harder during past year.
What has starting a business in NZ taught you?
It’s not easy! There is a lot to learn and things are constantly changing, a lot of hurdles but so worth it!
What makes Love Knot War stand out?
Love knot War has never really followed the trends. We create quality pieces in fits that compliment. We like to keep our runs small so they stay unique and boutique. And of course, we are NZ made!
What is the Love Knot War point of difference?
That we are NZ made and that all of our design, pattern making, cutting and creating is done here in house from scratch.
Where do you source inspiration?
I design all of our garments. Being a very visual person the majority of our outfits are designed from seeing, then feeling fabrics. Eventually something comes together in my mind, then onto paper and then to samples!
