We're expecting big things from Harman Grubisa, the new label from Auckland-based friends Madeleine Harman (right) and Jessica Grubisa. The savvy pair are off to a great start: Lorde was the first person to wear the brand, wearing two tops on her travels overseas before they were even available to buy. (They don't know her; they took the opportunity to pass on some pieces through mutual friends in the hope she would like them.)
The pair met while studying fashion design at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design; both had very strong graduate collections that got them noticed by the local fashion industry. Harman then moved to New York where she worked for the brand Tocca, while Grubisa worked locally, at World and at Black magazine. They had discussed working together and combining their talents - Harman more detail-orientated; Grubisa looking at big-picture thinking and styling - with Harman moving back to Auckland last year to embark on that dream.
The result, their debut Harman Grubisa range, launches online on Saturday; setting a clever, grown-up tone and a focus on quality: gorgeous slip dresses with layered prints and sequin detail, a sculptural mesh bomber and skirt, wrap silk dresses, and even accessories (mule heels and handbags), something of an anomaly for a new label. The collection will be showcased at The Marr Factory's free "MF Gatecrashers" show at at The Golden Dawn on Saturday night, alongside four other young designers - all at the fore of a wave of exciting fresh talent in Auckland right now.
• The online store launches on Saturday at www.harmangrubisa.com.
