One of our most renowned fashion designers is revealing her finale collection after 31 years of style success.
Kate Sylvester's closing stores around the country in the coming months to wrap up her fashion line next year.
Her final release this week inspired by the desert after a visit to Jordan last year.
"I just feel incredibly proud... I feel like I've created a really beautiful last collection, and what's really important to me is to go out strong."
By the early 2000s, her creations became staple pieces for women worldwide — thanks to successful shows and sales stemming from Australian Fashion Week, and stockists picking up her designs in the United States.
Ara Institute Head of Fashion Nathan Ingram told 1News that Sylvester had "timeless style".
"It's really wearable, it's functional."
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern picked Sylvester's clothing for big moments and these were some of the designer's most cherished memories.
"Jacinda Ardern wearing full Kate Sylvester when she was sworn in as Prime Minister... That was an absolute highlight actually," Sylvester told 1News. "[However], I'll have times where I'm walking down the street and I'll see a woman just, wearing a piece that still thrills me."
Clothing maven reflects on the incredible highs of a label that has become internationally synonymous with New Zealand style. (Source: 1News)
Through the seasons, Kate Sylvester defied one trend, by keeping most of her production line in Aotearoa.
"I worked with local machinists, local cutters, local manufacturers... We could never have launched our brand if we had to go and try and face the challenges of mass production in China."
The brand has also taken on New Zealand design students for some of their first work experience.
Ingram said: "It's really inspiring for them to see that there's definitely a pathway into fashion and you can run a successful brand in New Zealand."
Kate Sylvester said the brand's closure was not a result of the recent economic downturn, but acknowledged the current market did pose a threat to parts of our fashion industry.
"It is a rollercoaster... You have your peaks and then there are these troughs, there are down times and it is incredibly tough but it will come right again."
It's been four months since she announced the end of her line but the business was not set to be fully disestablished until next year, and staffing numbers were gradually being cut.
"They're moving into other jobs in the industry. Some of them are choosing to travel as well," Sylvester said.
She is also looking forward to a new kind of runway, with partner and co-founder Wayne Conway.
"We're travelling, we're taking off with backpacks on, one-way tickets we want to go and have adventures.
"We want to start in... probably in Guatemala I think."
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