“Cheaper” and “faster” aren’t adjectives that we can imagine are thrown around the boardrooms of New Zealand manufacturers willingly. There are certain values associated with New Zealand made products which are recognised on an international level as being on a tier of their own – merchandise created with sustainably sourced materials and of the highest quality.
Collaborating with local brands has always been a high priority for Barkers – a historical dip into our previous collections highlights our kiwi preference. This month we recognise our New Zealand partnerships, both pre-existing and new, as a story of their own.
Barkers are proud to announce the New Zealand Made Collection.
Last year a Wellington-based manufacturer of luxury yarns approached Barkers to create a collaborative line of knitwear.
Spanning seven decades of manufacturing, Woolyarns has become globally renowned as an innovative custom yarn provider.
This winter sees the launch of the most luxurious knitwear Barkers has produced yet – a culmination of 12 months’ work between the two companies. The knitwear utilises Woolyarns’ innovative fabrication: “Perino” wool, a blend of merino wool and possum fur, which was launched by the manufacturer in 2003.
The possum fibre provides warmth without added weight, is soft, and has superior anti-pilling qualities as well as being sustainably sourced (beneficial to the Country’s native flora and fauna) – paramount to Barkers and the production process.
The raw materials are spun into yarn by Woolyarns in Wellington and then knitted in the Bay of Plenty into finished garments.
Teaming up with Woolyarns has allowed Barkers to utilise the finest New Zealand yarn to create a limited edition collection of
locally made, contemporary menswear garments and accessories.
Just as you wouldn’t get caught mid-winter without a brolly, keeping a durable travel rug in your daypack
or boot is just as essential. This season we’ve designed a range of 100% pure woollen blankets which have been manufactured in Auckland by woollen textile specialists Inter-Weave. Available in four seasonal colours, the blankets have been environmentally certified by Enviro-Mark, highlighting the sustainable production methods offered by Inter-Weave. Woven using only New Zealand pure wool, each rug has been surface combed; a process that raises the wool fibres and creates an ultra-soft finish. Grass, sand, floorboards or couch, carry comfort with you.
s far as iconic Kiwi fashion brands go, Parisian is a veteran of New Zealand made apparel.
Since 1919, Parisian has been producing beautifully handcrafted ties, belts and accessories from a factory on the edge of
Myers Park in Auckland’s CBD. Almost a century of craftsmanship has gone into the level of quality that resonates in each line that leaves the factory floor of Parisian; a quality that inspired no debate when the proposal of a collaboration between the two brands arose.
From its inception, Parisian has been owned by the same Kiwi family and has stayed incredibly consistent with both their
production methods and company mantra: “…to serve our customers and the public with merchandise of fashion, quality and value…” Such loyalty doesn’t go without its challenges. The option of economic off shore production has been suggested more than once in its history, but Parisian have made a clear distinction between having a head for business, and a heart to their business. This kind of loyalty to product has kept our collaboration solid since 2011.
In 1870, Robert McKinlay arrived in Dunedin from Scotland. He was a master footwear craftsman, and arrived into a town which would experience huge demand for sturdy, well-made footwear during the gold rush years. This was the foundation which built McKinlays and commenced a tradition it retains to this day, with Graeme and David McKinlay the fifth generation to run the still family owned business.
Last year when Barkers decided to create a New Zealand made element to complement our growing shoe range, McKinlays were the first company that came to mind. With the success of last winter’s range, we have tweaked and subtly reshaped the design for a second release of the collaboration this winter. Local, durable and on trend, the range of artisan crafted boots match just as well with your weekend denims as they do with a mid-week work pant.
Head into stores early July to shop the second limited edition McKinlays collection.