Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives for a meeting with her British counterpart Boris Johnson at Downing Street in an Emilia Wickstead dress. Photo / Getty
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives for a meeting with her British counterpart Boris Johnson at Downing Street in an Emilia Wickstead dress. Photo / Getty
The team behind New Zealand's top fashion magazine have defended the Prime Minister after she copped criticism for her choice of dress on her UK tour over the weekend.
When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met her UK counterpart Boris Johnson, she did so in a dress by Kiwi designer and royal favourite Emilia Wickstead.
The white midi dress has a £1550 ($3027) price-tag, and is similar to one worn by Duchess of Cambridge - who regularly wears Wickstead's outfits - in 2016 on a royal tour of India in 2016.
The incident sparked debate, firstly about the cost of Ardern's dress, and then on whether or not the criticism was valid.
Speaking on this week's episode of Viva Talks, the companion podcast to the Herald's Viva magazine, commercial editor Emma Gleason and fashion and creative director Dan Ahwa criticised the "sexist spin" that focused on the price of the dress.
"She is wearing a New Zealand designer, and when you are a politician representing your country overseas, you do want to represent your country in every aspect, including what you are wearing," Ahwa argued.
"And Jacinda has been very good at supporting and championing New Zealand fashion on the world stage, and Emilia Wickstead is no different."
They noted that you have to factor in sustainability, and Wickstead's outfits are made to last and be reworn, which Ardern is known for, and her garments are priced accordingly.
"It seems like the main criticism raised against male politicians is whether they are wearing a tie or not," Gleason noted, and that people aren't often pricing the outfits worn by the likes of Christopher Luxon.
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are seen rollerblading on the set of Barbie. Photo / Getty
Also on this week's episode of Viva Talks, Gleason and Ahwa talk to Deadly Ponies' founder Liam Bowden to discuss the fashion brand moving into the footwear market. They also dig into the rise of "BarbieCore" after photos of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on set of the new Barbie adaptation went viral.
Listen to the podcast above, or read more about these topics in this week's copy of Viva. Find more Viva content at viva.co.nz
• Viva Talks is a weekly fashion, beauty and culture podcast from the team behind Viva, New Zealand's top fashion magazine. New episodes are available to listen to every Wednesday from 5am.
