Style Lessons Learned From Some Of New Zealand’s Beloved TV Characters

If catching up on your favourite shows is a high priority this summer, it might be worth looking back at some New Zealand classics for a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Costumes have long helped shape and inform the way a character is realised on screen and over the years we’ve had the fortune of discussing this with some of the country’s leading costume departments.

Whether it’s Sammy Salsa’s expert eye across the seminal 2021 series The Panthers, where he was tasked with sourcing the distinctive berets and leather jackets worn during the Dawnraid era of the late 1970s; or the way costume designer Edward K. Gibbon’s sartorial interpretation of the TV adaptation of Eleanor Catton’s epic Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Luminaries during the 1860s gold rush in New Zealand, clothes can often help reinforce a plotline and help endear a character to the viewer.

Below is a very brief assortment of key TV characters we’ve come to know over the years, selected not only for their memorable costuming, but the way in which they wore their clothes with unapologetic conviction.

Gina Rossi, Shortland Street

Played by Josephine Davison, Gina Rossi was neither a nurse nor a doctor on Shortland Street, but the over-the-top cafeteria-turned-soap star Gina Rossi, whose parade of eye-catching 90s-wardrobe ensembles cut through the humdrum of inner-city Auckland. Perfectly aligned to Auckland’s burgeoning cafe scene at the time, Gina’s outfit formula of an upturned bucket hat, spandex dresses layered underneath flamboyant vests and of course a pair of gaudy statement earrings played up her character’s vivacious personality. Gina thus became one of New Zealand’s most compelling and memorable TV characters. It was also a reminder there’s time for glamour at any time of day. When she married dorky doctor Leonard Dodds, played by Marton Csokas, she named up the Latina glamour with a lace dress and veil that was nothing short of molto bella.

Shop the Gina Rossi look:

Caitlin Snell wrap skirt $340. Ruby top $139. Vintage clip-on earrings $29, from Painted Bird Vintage. Novo mules $104.90.

Ebony, The Tribe

The proliferation of dystopian dressing from emerging designers to mass retailers is a sign of the times, but this TV show from 1999-2003 perfectly combined that early 2000s look with a whiff of Mad Max. Children take over the world after all the adults have been killed off by a mysterious virus, and while that post-apocalyptic aesthetic filtered into the chaotic costumes, lead character Ebony, played by Meryl Cassie, stood out with her braids and avant-garde approach to makeup.

Shop the Ebony look:

The perfect outfit inspiration for summer festivals and gigs, take Ebony’s avant-garde wardrobe and distill this into a highly wearable and artful ensemble.

Vintage skirt, $330, from Bizarre Bazaar. Aje corset $185. Pizi earrings, $200, from Baobei. Bared Footwear boots $489.

Expertly portrayed by Robyn Malcolm, the Westie matriarch was always bedecked in layers of gold jewellery, leather, lace and denim. And much like Julia Roberts in Erin Brajkovich, Cheryl was also partial to a visible bra strap peeking out of fitted tank tops and leopard print blouses. Like the OG mob wife she was, what makes Cheryl’s costuming genius was how costume designer Katrina Hodge expertly wove in the familiarity of a Westie stereotype through clothing, but ensured each character wore their self-expression with a sense of pride and dignity. What really makes Cheryl West a style icon is the fact thousands of women who inspire her wardrobe are actually genuine about their personal style. It’s not an easy thing to manufacture, but for the sake of this article, you can only try with this assortment below.

Shop the Cheryl West look:

It’s less about what you wear but harnessing Cheryl’ don’t give a fuck attitude that matters most.

Stolen Girlfriends Club T-shirt $149. Balenciaga sunglasses, $511, from End Store. 60cm 10k gold rope chain, $2639, from Michael Hill Jeweller. Decujba camisole $69.90. Homage denim mini skirt, $159, from Blackbox Boutique.

Maxine Redfern, Gloss

Playing the role of the icy magazine editor, Ilona Rogers’ wardrobe in the campy 80s classic was the perfect showcase of New Zealand’s upwardly mobile yuppies during the era. Shoulder pads were as big as the Elnett hairdos on display, with costuming by Liz Mitchell and Enid Eiriksson showcasing a convincingly sharp case for workwear. If you’re looking to invest in something come January, it wouldn’t hurt to take some style cues from Ilona’s smart and crisp wardrobe of tailored jackets and an equally smart pair of pumps to pad across the office when you get back from the summer break.

Get the Maxine Redfern look:

For summer workwear or a polished look for special occasions, keep it simple and understated.

Harris Tapper jacket $729. Rebe mini skirt $295. Oroblù tights, $45, from Smith & Caughey’s. Khaite earrings, $1450, from Muse. The Row pumps, $1590, from Scotties.

More TV costumes we love

The clothes we love to see on stage and screen.

Bookworm: Costume Designer Jaindra Watson On Working With Ant Timpson & Battling The Elements. Bookworm has charmed audiences with its sweet and mythical father-daughter tale. Costume designer Jaindra Watson speaks to Madeleine Crutchley about the making of the family-friendly adventure and how Elijah Wood escaped wearing a fedora.

From The Benson & Hedges Awards to Cha Cha Magazine - How Costume Designer Louise Davis Found Inspiration For Astroman. Louise Davis has worked for numerous productions in various capacities, including creative collaborator, stylist and artist.

Costume Designer Edward K. Gibbon’s Magical Interpretation Of The Luminaries. The Bafta Award-winning costume designer’s impressive credits include The Virgin Queen, Black Mirror, War & Peace, Skins, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Holy Flying Circus, The Honourable Woman and Harlots.

Costume Designer Sinead Kidao’s Modern Mitford Style Is Delightfully Audacious. In The Pursuit of Love, the rompy new BBC adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s novel, there are 1200 costumes.

How Netflix Series ‘Hollywood’ Captures The Style and Elegance Of Post-War Tinseltown. in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Hollywood, Tinseltown’s unscrupulous reputation is given the director’s typically high-gloss, campy veneer.