Designing SS25: A Journey Through Europe's Timeless Palette

The best collections often begin not at a drawing board, but in a moment of unexpected inspiration. For our Spring/Summer 25 collection, that moment came during my travels through Europe last year—wandering through Portugal's sun-bleached coastal towns, exploring Morocco's ancient medinas, and discovering Spain's understated rural beauty. As I moved through these landscapes, I found myself captivated not by the bold, saturated colours you might expect, but by the subtle, weathered palette that emerges when time and elements work together to create something quietly extraordinary.

The Colours That Spoke to Me

There's something deeply compelling about the way Mediterranean light transforms colour. In Portugal, I watched morning mist soften terracotta rooftops into the gentlest warm greys. In Morocco, ancient olive trees revealed leaves in the most beautiful pale sage green—dusty and sophisticated, nothing like the bright greens of a manicured garden. And everywhere, the interplay of crisp whites against deep, rich blacks created moments of striking elegance. These weren't colours that demanded attention; they whispered their beauty through subtlety and nuance. The kind of palette that works as beautifully in New Zealand's summer light as it does against the backdrop of a Portuguese fishing village. I knew immediately that this would become the foundation of SS25—colours that feel both timeless and utterly contemporary, sophisticated enough for the city yet relaxed enough for weekend escapes.

Fabrics for Real Life

Colour is only part of the story. As I experienced the warmth of these European summers, I became acutely aware of how fabric choice affects not just appearance, but comfort and confidence. There's no point in creating beautiful clothes that can't perform in the conditions they're designed for. Cotton became an obvious choice—but not just any cotton. I was drawn to varieties that could deliver sophistication alongside breathability. Similarly, ramie caught my attention for its remarkable ability to maintain structure while feeling cool against the skin. These natural fibres embody the kind of understated luxury we value: beautiful to look at, wonderful to wear, and honest in their simplicity.

The Polished Approach

The challenge—and the opportunity—lay in elevating these warm-weather fabrics beyond casual weekend wear. How do you create pieces in cotton and ramie that feel as polished as they are practical? The answer lies in the details: considered silhouettes, thoughtful proportions, and finishing touches that speak to quality without shouting about it. I wanted to design pieces that transition effortlessly from morning meetings to afternoon gatherings, that work as beautifully in a gallery opening as they do over lunch with friends. This meant thinking carefully about drape, structure, and those subtle design elements that make the difference between looking put-together and looking overdressed.

Creating Effortless Sophistication

The woman I design for leads a multifaceted life. She might start her day with client calls, meet friends for lunch, and end up at an impromptu dinner invitation. She needs clothes that move with her, that maintain their composure throughout the day, and that make her feel confident regardless of the occasion. SS25 reflects this reality. Each piece is designed to work both alone and as part of a considered wardrobe, creating endless possibilities for mixing and matching. The pale sage green of one piece complements the warm grey of another; the structured cotton blouse works as beautifully with relaxed ramie trousers as it does with a tailored skirt.

The Beauty of Restraint

In a world of fast fashion and constant trend cycles, there's something radical about choosing restraint. This collection isn't about making a statement through bold prints or dramatic silhouettes. Instead, it celebrates the kind of quiet confidence that comes from wearing pieces you genuinely love—clothes that feel authentic to who you are rather than who you think you should be. The washed-out palette reflects this philosophy perfectly. These are colours that complement rather than compete, that enhance natural beauty rather than mask it. They're the shades you reach for when you want to look effortlessly polished, when you want your personality to shine through rather than be overshadowed by your clothes.

Designing for Longevity

As I developed each piece, I asked myself the same question I always do: "Will this feel relevant in five years?" The answer, I believe, is yes. The combination of timeless colours, quality natural fabrics, and considered design creates pieces that transcend seasonal trends. This isn't about creating clothes for one summer; it's about creating pieces that will become beloved parts of wardrobes for years to come. The kind of clothes that improve with age, that develop character through wear, and that continue to feel special long after the season that inspired them has passed.

The Collection Realised

SS25 represents everything I learned during those European travels, distilled into pieces that honour both the inspiration and the woman who will wear them. It's a collection about finding beauty in subtlety, sophistication in simplicity, and creating clothes that enhance life rather than complicate it. These pieces carry with them the memory of sun-warmed stone walls, the whisper of fabric in Mediterranean breezes, and the timeless appeal of colours that speak softly but leave a lasting impression.

Anna xx