Meet Winnie Solomon, the creative force behind her eponymous made-to-order label Winnie Catherine based in Pōneke, Wellington. A Massey fashion graduate with a deep love for 19th-century silhouettes, Winnie is reshaping modern tailoring with a focus on thoughtful design, slow production and strong storytelling. In this Q&A, she reflects on the journey so far, her windswept-meets-corporate campaign, and her creative inspirations.
In conversation with Winnie Solomon
Let’s get up to speed. Tell us a bit about you and your career to date.
Formally known as Winifred, but to friends, family, and my community, I’m Winnie – the passionate mind and hands behind Winnie Catherine, which is a made-to-order and measure fashion brand based in Pōneke, Wellington. Before launching Winnie Catherine at the start of 2024, I completed a four-year honours degree in Fashion Design at Massey University, having spent half of it in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic! What a time I must say…especially when you’re studying something that requires industrial machinery, and not just a laptop! Beyond the brand, I was born with severe hearing-loss, and my hearing aids have been a constant companion since infancy. I also whakapapa to Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Kāti Ruahikihiki from my father’s side.
What is your earliest memory of fashion and what inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
To be extremely honest, I don’t have one particular moment where I had this giant lightbulb moment and thought ‘right, I want to be a fashion designer’, I think it was an accumulation of moments that inspired me to pursue this career path. I always loved playing dress-ups when I was little, or drawing clothes on really badly-drawn stick figures and making things with my hands. I truly was just a creative kid that managed to get their hands on a sewing machine at school and stuck with it all those years later! I felt that Health Science, BCom or Law wasn’t the right choice for me for tertiary education, so what else was I curious about? Fashion! I’ve never looked back since!
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this season’s collection and how it evolved during the design process?
I gather a lot of inspiration through historical garment research, mostly from the Victorian epoch. As a small label, I don’t really believe in dropping collection after collection in order to keep up with the masses: In my eyes, it’s also not how the average kiwi woman shops. They find one piece there and one piece here and try to work it into their existing wardrobe. I like to feed-in new garments that feel right at the time, and with the current winter blues we’ve been having, it’s natural to want to reach for a long-sleeve shirt or play with layering. I spent a lot of time trying to perfect our newest blouse, the Lillian Shirt in Pinstripe; I wanted the sleeves to be generous in volume, without being impractical, and I’m confident we nailed it. Some of the other garments styled in were Winnie Catherine garments that are already available, as well as the long-awaited Margaux Coat in a 100% wool vanilla biscuit coating which is about to come out!
The campaign location – windswept pebble beach and a retro-fitted office – is so visually striking. From casting to location to styling — what were the key elements you wanted to get right to bring this campaign to life?
From the get-go my photographer, Molly Doyle, had the vision. She wanted to merge nature, which often is a focal point in her work, with a corporate set – which helped bring the clothes of Winnie Catherine to life. I most definitely had fun with the styling, especially with the ties. Tradition with a twist is what I’m going to call it – I think this seems to be quite a repeating element of my own work these days. As for the casting, we hoped that any woman will look at the campaign and see a little bit of themselves.
Tailoring is central to your aesthetic. What details or techniques do you consistently return to when designing suiting?
I always keep coming back to the silhouettes of the 19th Century in my work. I love a good sleeve with volume, and often find myself using top-stitching for a more subtle detail.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A smile cost nothing.
How would you describe your personal style, and what influences it the most? Are there any other New Zealand designers you gravitate to?
I try to look like one of those cool corporate girls you see online who have fun with their outfits (chic, elevated and fun) but more often than not, I’m sewing all-day and all the jewellery and accessories get too overstimulating. I can always trust a good baby tee, tailored trouser and fun sneaker combo. Being 24, a lot of my friends and I love RUBY – Dee and Emily are extremely good at what they do (as designers), and they know how to create cult classics. I gravitate towards the work-ethic of smaller NZ designers like Jojo from Jojo Ross and Julia from JPALM. They’re out there doing what they love, and sharing their wealth of knowledge about the industry with little ones like me whilst doing it. It’s a privilege to have them in my corner.
How do you define success – not just in business, but in life?
If I’m laughing or smiling with the people I love, I know I’ve done something right.
Who or what inspires you creatively?
My mother, Erin Rush. She was a Black Fern #113 and is now NZ Rugby’s first female Vice President who raised me on rugby sidelines with half-time feeds; in true kiwi fashion! Her influential leadership, drive and strength continues to be a driver for me to go and achieve my creative pursuits. Sorry for not having any desire to go into rugby Mum.
Looking ahead, what’s next for the brand?
Well, August is going to be a giant month for Winnie Catherine. We’re doing another pop-up in Wellington at Hamilton & Murray Boutique in Khandallah, and participating in Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa up in Auckland.
Looking further into the year, I am wanting to establish connections with stockists around New Zealand, and have customers from afar finally be able to try-on the goodness of our clothes in-person in a permanent space!
Quick-fire Questions
The next item on my wardrobe wishlist is… Deadly Ponies Apollo Mules
The book currently on my bedside table is… The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
My favourite place to dine… Prefab in Pōneke Wellington ALWAYS!
My next holiday destination…Hawkes Bay I hope!
My guilty pleasure TV show or movie is…F.R.I.E.N.D.S
My ultimate day off looks like…Gymming, Coffee and scones with the girls, a wee bit of retail therapy and uber eats in front of the tv!
The song I currently have on repeat is…BUTTERFLIES by Justin Bieber
Three beauty products I can’t live without…Lip balm, tinted sunscreen and my whole skincare range for my acne hehe
