For Mitchell Vincent, fashion has always been a form of language, a way to tell stories without words. Originally from Taupō (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), he grew up making clothes on his mother’s old domestic sewing machine, later designing murals and curating costumes for theatre productions during high school. What ultimately drew him to fashion was its intimacy: the way garments live with us and hold memory. “I was drawn to the idea that something made by hand could carry both beauty and meaning, that a garment could become a taonga,” Vincent says.
In 2013, this vision was formalised with the debut of Mitchell Vincent Collection, a brand that fuses the designer’s Māori heritage with timeless, contemporary design. Looking back, he remembers being “full of ideas” and fuelled by the excitement of bringing them to life. In the 12 years since, that initial momentum has matured into a practice that feels more grounded and intentional. “I’ve learned that design isn’t just about creating something beautiful, but something meaningful,” Vincent explains, “work that respects people, place, and planet.”
Conscious creation sits at the core of Mitchell Vincent Collection. Working either with his own hands or alongside local makers, he sources end-of-line fabrics, produces in small runs, and embraces a made-to-order model to minimise waste and remain closely connected to his craft.
“For me, creativity and responsibility go hand in hand,” he explains, grounding his practice in the whakataukī (Māori proverb): Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua — people come and go, but the land remains. A reminder that every design decision leaves a lasting imprint.
The designer’s latest collection, ‘Te Pō, Te Ao, Ngā Tangata’, debuted during the 2025 Kāhui Collective group show at New Zealand Fashion Week. Vincent describes it as “carrying the energy of a night out.”
Draped silhouettes and intricate tie detailing set the tone for a collection that embraces fluidity, reimagining identity and inclusivity through timeless design. “It’s about release, connection, and joy after years that have felt heavy for so many,” Vincent says. “It’s a reminder that joy is a form of resistance, that coming together to celebrate who we are is how we continue to move forward.”
Beyond silhouette and technique, Vincent’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to fluidity and self-expression. For him, fashion should transcend both trend cycles and the rigid binaries that have long defined the industry. “As a designer, I can’t support the idea that people shouldn’t wear what makes them feel good and look beautiful,” he says. “When you see pieces from this collection on the runway, I want gender to be almost a second thought. What I hope you see instead is fashion existing in a space that feels safe, expressive, and open.”
The brand’s latest chapter comes with the opening of the Mitchell Vincent Collection Studio and Showroom in late 2025. Located in the heart of Hamilton, Vincent describes the space as a “whare for our kākahu and taonga, built with aroha and intention.” The showroom invites visitors to experience the craftsmanship behind each piece up close and connect more deeply with the stories that shape the brand. “This next chapter truly feels like a homecoming,” he says.
This article originally appeared in Fashion Quarterly’s Autumn 2026 issue.
Words: Natalia Didovich.
Imagery: Ash Muir
