Eugénie designer Liz Wilson is bored of basics – in her new autumn/winter 2017 range she celebrates bold and powerful women.
Can you tell us about the new range? I wanted to make a range that celebrated and encouraged unique women. I’m bored of the monotonous basics fashion is churning out – I think it’s time for women to be bold and powerful. The range’s theme ‘Venus Envy’ came from that idea. I want women to be in a position in the world that men will covet.
What are your favourite pieces in the range? I’m really excited about the wood grain bomber jackets and the bleach-washed denim. Jackets are my favourite item of clothing. With the right jacket you can wear your pyjamas underneath and still look cool as hell.
Loving all the velvet, why have you chosen to work with that material so much? I love velvet’s tactile, luxurious quality – essentially it’s pat-able. What’s not to like?
Where did that amazing floral print come from? It’s inspired by Joy Division’s Power, Corruption and Lies album cover by Peter Saville. Also by my grandparents’ furniture – I’m only into subversive florals.
Your signature denim skirts are there – are they a Eugénie must-have? Yeah definitely. That skirt has been a huge hit for me, they’re great for days when you want the vibe of jeans but the comfort of a skirt, plus you can adjust the sexiness button by button.
Who made the amazing footwear and bags in these photos? The bags are all from our beautiful Mackelvie Street neighbours, Deadly Ponies. The models had a great time swinging them around on the catwalk channelling Rihanna. I made the thigh high boots myself because I couldn’t find the colour and toe shapes that I wanted, and the hats are from my personal collection. A leather Tom of Finland-inspired cap is my fave.
Looks from the Eugenie’s new range ‘Venus Envy’.
What kind of woman wears Eugénie? I always go for muses with character, wit and creative conviction. Isabella Rossellini, Kathleen Turner and Charlotte Rampling made a huge impression on me as a teen. There is a fantastic diversity to the women (and men) who wear Eugénie but mostly I dress cool tomboys, chic eccentrics and high-powered business women.
Eugénie is available from Facility Store, 51 Mackelvie St, Ponsonby
This article was first published in Paperboy magazine. Follow Paperboy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and sign up to the weekly e-mail.
