For over three decades, Working Style has waved its magic wand over the wardrobes of New Zealand’s most well-dressed gentlemen. So it was only natural that the Kiwi atelier would eventually make its welcome foray into the world of womenswear.
Handcrafted in Portugal by one of the world’s leading ateliers, Davion, W by Working Style is a carefully considered collection of over 30 different suits for every kind of occasion. Impeccable tailoring is at its core, as each piece is made to order with fit, comfort and style playing the lead role.
Sharon Orquejo, who has been with the Working Style team for over 15 years, led the design and curation of the collection. With a background in textile design and a thorough understanding of Working Style’s roots, she knew exactly which boxes to tick when it came to creating great womenswear.
“I noticed a real gap in the market,” says Orquejo. “Our male customers have always been able to get anything they want made by us, drawing on premium resources from around the world. They simply make a cloth selection from a Cut Length Mill and then we make a garment to their exact size and specification with our tailors in Portugal.”
The end result: a gorgeously crafted collection of everyday pieces that draws on the premium fabrications and histories of mills – Solbiati, Loro Piana and Dormeuil – is on offer for women too. So what can be expected from Working Style’s debut womenswear line?
W by Working Style boasts subtle design differences depending upon the store you visit, as Orquejo wanted to aesthetically lean into each individual region. Local artisans and creatives played a huge role in the production of the collection with the brand’s very first New Zealand shirtmaker responsible for designing an exclusive range for W by Working Style, which includes a boyfriend-style number.
“It’s been wonderful to reconnect with these wonderful people and build a relationship while highlighting their incredible craftsmanship,” Orquejo adds.
Not to be outdone by the vast array of choice on offer for men, the womenswear line also includes a suit crafted in New Zealand with a softer silhouette in comparison to the Portuguese design. “The options really are limitless,” Orquejo adds. “Finally New Zealand women can have what men have been enjoying from Working Style for the last 34 years.”
READ MORE: Working Style: The Right Fit
What really makes Working Style stand out from the crowd is the exemplary service on offer. Over a glass of bubbles, one of the team’s experts will listen to your requirements before artfully guiding you in the right direction.
Your first no-obligation appointment, which can be booked at Auckland and Christchurch stores, gives you the opportunity to choose from over 5,000 fabrics and linings sourced at some of the world’s most respected mills. Clients are able to personalise linings, buttons and styling details with a range of silhouettes on offer too from single-breasted or double-breasted to a boyfriend cut. Your exact measurements will then be relayed to Working Style’s skilled ateliers, based in New Zealand and Portugal, in order to ensure a snug fit.
To showcase their extraordinary collection, Working Style held a fabulous evening of celebration at the Mercedes Benz Auckland showroom in Newmarket on June 24. Greta Kenyon, Together Journal’s founder and editor, had the pleasure of attending.
“I was so impressed with the collection, the textures, tones and cuts. The styling on the night was sublime,” she says. “The team showed just how wearable this collection is, covering elevated occasion suiting fit for weddings and red carpet, right through to off duty everyday suiting separates for the modern active woman. I am a fan.”
In a time of uncertainty for many businesses around the world, Working Style continues to go from strength to strength and there’s never been a greater time to become part of a new, exciting community.
Visit Working Style online or follow @workingstyle on Instagram to learn more about W by Working Style.
