Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW

16 May 2023
By Fashion Quarterly

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a runway show from beloved New Zealand designer Maggie Marilyn, but buoy-oh-buoy is her latest collection worth the wait.

Maggie Marilyn made her international runway debut at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) with her summer capsule ‘The Best of It’, a vibrant tribute to summer nostalgia, the optimistic spirit of sailing clubs, and the belief in brighter days ahead.

Maggie Marilyn made her international runway debut at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) with her summer capsule ‘The Best of It’, a vibrant tribute to summer nostalgia, the optimistic spirit of sailing clubs, and the belief in brighter days ahead.

Like all of founder Maggie Hewitt’s collections, ‘The Best of It’ began with a moodboard. Drawing on childhood nostalgia recalling her days sailing clubs in the Bay of Islands with her sisters, her summer capsule collection personifies memories spent near the ocean. Bringing together her signature feminine silhouettes with elevated wardrobe essentials which embody a sense of livable luxury, ‘The Best of It’ introduces striped swimwear, denim jeans, bubbled stain and glistening textures into the fold.

When Maggie Hewitt started designing this capsule, “New Zealand was at the beginning of one of its wettest summers on record. But despite the blueprint for disappointment, driving along coastal roads and past local beaches, you were hard-pressed to find an empty plot of land not occupied by people choosing to make the best of it”, says Hewitt.

Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW

The setting:

Maggie Marilyn chose the Rushcutters local sailing club as the venue for her AAFW runway show, as it represented a community deeply rooted in togetherness. Surrounded by a talented group of creatives including Good Earth Cotton®, Emma Lewisham, and Dyson, the show aimed to capture the essence of sailing and the joy of being part of something greater than oneself. The collection, unveiled amidst the sailboats and the shimmering water, painted a picture of hope, positivity, and the beauty that lies ahead.

“Bringing this collection to life made me reflect on how grateful I am for Maggie Marilyn and the constant it has been throughout my twenties as I now approach my thirties”, says Hewitt. “I’ve grown up alongside this brand and, despite the challenges, it still feels like such a privilege to participate in an industry where we are tasked with making beautiful things that make people feel good about themselves and the future – and if I can affect positive change while I’m here, then that makes it all the more fulfilling”, says Hewitt.

Each piece in the collection is crafted from traceable, organic, or repurposed fibres. By prioritising sustainability, the brand aims to contribute to a more responsible and conscious fashion industry.

The new capsule from Maggie Marilyn will be launched on June 14th, 2023 offering customers the opportunity to shop online at maggiemarilyn.com or visit Maggie Marilyn homes in Auckland, New Zealand, or Sydney, Australia.

These are our favourite looks below:

Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Throughout the capsule you will find hand painted floral prints inspired by her mother’s garden roses, an abundance of stripes synonymous with previous capsules and in Maggie Marilyn’s DNA since the beginning.
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW
Runway Recap: Maggie Marilyn’s ‘The Best of It’ summer capsule at AAFW

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