SUITS ARE ALWAYS IN STYLE
WORDS Kia Dirkson PHOTOS Mark Smith
I have found myself extraordinarily busy this past month as the children entered into the last school term, and work began to pick up at a surprising pace.
Meeting with a multitude of clients in various industries, I never know where my work and consulting will take me, and I am always ready for any occasion. As the advent of events season began to peak, I received a phone call from my publisher informing me that I would be covering a very stylish story.
Flights booked and transportation sorted, I found myself Auckland bound. I was to collaborate with Working Style, and the launch of its new women’s line W by Working Style, a fresh new collection made up entirely of impeccably tailored garments for women to be released September of this year.
I was invited to celebrate and experience first-hand the expansion of the iconic brand’s made-to-measure service. The Parnell Working Style team enveloped me with the luxury range, which features the most premium of fabrics handcrafted in Portugal with suit style additions fit for a queen.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by the friendliest team led by Sharon Orquejo who, as one of Working Style’s most senior female employees, has in-depth knowledge of the brand and helped shaped W into a cool concept for women who need a suit for all seasons.
Despite a torrential downpour in the North Island, I was raring to go, and after a quick lunch and a substantial dry off, we were straight into the process; beginning with a three-step initial fitting. This lasts for around an hour, and you are able to individually select every detail on the pieces you want to purchase, with just some of the options of fabrics including polished cotton, velvet, silk, and tweed.
The suit is truly yours inside and out with extras all decided by you: buttons, piping, lining, pockets, double-breasted, piqued collar are just a few of the customisations which you can select. Followed by a review and adjust, the expertly finished piece arrives in six weeks. From business blue to party paisley, Working Style literally has you covered.
The beauty of the tailored jacket is its ability to transition and work with our every changing days. With a quick switch of the shoes, it can easily take you from school drop off to evening drinks.
My father and brothers worked with a tailor my whole life, and despite my penchant for fashion, this was strictly a boys’ club in my house growing up – except for very special occasions.
How times have changed in the world and at Working Style, which after 30 years of catering to men, a milestone moment has been reached, and a stylishly working women’s club has been established by way of W.
Keep an eye on W; it’s just the beginning for what is set to become an iconic label in its own right, I know that this one-on-one tailored experience was an empowering one for me and an experience worth investing in.
W by WS is available at Working Style, 102 Oxford Terrace (next to the Riverside Markets).