The Jacket I Haven't Stopped Thinking About Since New Zealand Fashion Week

Every New Zealand Fashion Week launch has that one moment. It is rarely the runway or the celebrity arrival. More often than not, it is an outfit that quietly steals your attention and refuses to leave your mind long after the event has finished.

This year, that moment belonged to Deborah Caldwell.

She arrived wearing a khaki faux pebble leather bomber with a dramatic funnel neck, and before we had even started chatting I was mentally making room for it in my wardrobe. Firstly, khaki has always been one of my favourite colours. Secondly, the proportions were perfect. Relaxed but elevated, oversized without overwhelming the body, and structured enough to make a simple outfit feel considered. It had that effortless quality people often describe as "throwing something on", when in reality achieving that feeling takes incredibly thoughtful design.

When I later sat down with Deborah to talk about STORM's 20-year journey, it became clear that the jacket represented far more than a seasonal trend. It perfectly captured the philosophy that has kept STORM relevant for two decades.

One comment in particular has stayed with me.

"The customer wants more longevity and wear from their pieces."

I think she has perfectly summed up where fashion is today.

For years we were encouraged to buy outfits. One dress for a wedding. One blazer for work. One statement coat because everyone on social media seemed to have one. Now, people are shopping differently. Budgets are tighter, wardrobes are becoming more intentional, and there is a growing appreciation for clothes that work harder.

As a personal stylist, this is a conversation I find myself having almost every day...