Leather, tradition and an unwavering commitment to longevity define the work of Dominic Estall, the director behind Tough Auto and Fashion Quarterly’s Emerging Designer of the Year for 2026.
Estall incorporated Tough Auto in June 2024, launching with a line of leather belts and wallets built on traditional saddlery techniques. In the two years since, the label has grown into two full collections, a range of handcrafted accessories and a bespoke line, each piece made with the same conviction: that clothing and accessories should be built to last, not discarded with the season.
Sustainability isn’t a marketing angle for Tough Auto. It’s the foundation. Estall works with natural fibres and local materials, favouring durability and craft over fast turnover, a philosophy that positions the brand firmly within a growing movement of New Zealand designers rethinking what longevity means in fashion.
In its first two years, Tough Auto has already proven that quality and patience can build a following. Pieces from the label have been featured twice in Fashion Quarterly editorials, and the brand continues to build momentum through new collaborations and creative partnerships that showcase the artistry behind each handcrafted piece.
Now, Tough Auto is preparing for its next chapter: a debut at New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) and a retail presence planned for 2027. It’s a significant step for a label that started with little more than a director’s belief in traditional technique and considered design, and one that reflects the same trajectory FQ has watched unfold across a new generation of local talent.
The Emerging Designer Award, sponsored by Fashion & Textiles New Zealand with support from PH Digital, Someday Studios, Zambesi and Fashion Quarterly, exists to recognise exactly this kind of momentum. “Emerging designers are essential to the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s fashion industry, bringing fresh perspectives, new ideas and the courage to challenge how things have traditionally been done,” says Fashion & Textiles New Zealand. “FTNZ is proud to sponsor the FQ Emerging Designer Award because early recognition, visibility and access to experienced industry leaders can make a meaningful difference at this formative stage of a designer’s career. Supporting the next generation of talent is central to building a thriving, innovative and future-ready fashion and textiles sector.”
For judging partner Zambesi, Tough Auto’s win came down to a clear vision, well executed. “Tough Auto stood out for its strong concept, thoughtful design, and wearability,” says Zambesi. “The pieces in the collection looked well constructed, felt modern yet classic, and were confidently executed.”
As part of the win, Tough Auto receives a package valued at $80,000, including three tailored mentoring sessions with senior fashion and textiles industry leaders from FTNZ, alongside support across business strategy, communications, profile-building and industry development from PH Digital, Someday Studios and Zambesi.
The award marks a vote of confidence at exactly the right moment, arriving as Tough Auto steps onto a bigger stage. With NZFW ahead and a retail launch on the horizon, the label is moving from proof of concept to a defining chapter of its own making.
Watch this space, Tough Auto is only just getting started.
