A self-confessed hunter-gatherer, Kiwi designer Megan Stewart launched her eponymously named brand Megan Stewart Shirts in April this year with a handful of carefully sourced vintage fabrics. Sharing her new unique designs with the world via social media, Stewart soon garnered a global audience, with many eager to get their hands on a one-of-a-kind shirt. Now considered the backbone of a modern woman’s wardrobe (shirts are not only practical, but charming too), we asked the designer to take us on a wardrobe refresh with the 5 different shirts your wardrobe needs right now.
1. A classic men’s long-sleeve shirt
“I love this classic piece from Brooks Brothers, which is not just for the guys. A go-to piece for work, especially if you get one in crisp white. I have had my slim fit (Milano) shirt for years. I style mine with high rise pants and only button it to the waist.”
2. A men’s oversized shirt
“Friends close to me know that I have a weakness for green. So I had to include this striped green shirt, part of the Dries Van Noten x Len Lye collaboration. This collection pays homage to Len Lye, a Christchurch-born artist known for his extraordinary body of work and use of colour and movement.”
3. A women’s oversized shirt
“The perfect yellow shirt? This piece from Maggie Marilyn is ideal for summer days and best of all, it is made right here in New Zealand. Note the small details, like gold buttons on the sleeves. I admire how transparent with information Maggie Marilyn and her team are. It is so refreshing to finally see some positive changes start to happen in this industry.”
4. A unisex short-sleeve shirt
“I have to include one of my shirts, especially as this is one of the last ones available. The latest drop almost sold out within a day. This piece is a one-of-a-kind short sleeve shirt, made from a repurposed hand embroidered textile featuring a floral motif and vintage hand embroidered Dorset buttons that I source from Czech Republic. All new shirts were shot on polaroid, in collaboration with my friend Jake Dennis, a little nod to the one-off nature of my pieces.”
5. A coloured and textured shirt
“How great is this bright blue shirt with tonal buttons from Homme Plissé Issey Miyake! The vertical pleating creates texture, I suggest looking up past collections for some wild architectural shapes. I adore all my Pleats Please, they travel well, require no ironing and can be styled with almost everything in your wardrobe.”
To read more about Megan Stewart’s design journey, pick up a copy of Fashion Quarterly Spring 2021: The Empowerment Issue, on sale now!
