Four of the city’s best-known fashion labels are taking part in a three-day event called Common Material at City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi – the first public opening of the building in over two years.
City Gallery in Te Ngākau Civic Square has been closed for earthquake strengthening and renovation, and is not planned to permanently re-open until October, when an exhibition of Cornelia Parker’s works is scheduled.
However, Common Material will take over the newly transformed building for three days in June, with Yu Mei, JPALM, Kowtow and twenty-seven names taking part in a central exhibition. It will showcase garments, materials and archival works from each Wellington designer with each piece highlighting their unique approaches to production, craft and the realities of making fashion in Aotearoa.
The free exhibition from June 5-7, will be accompanied by ticketed runway shows, talks and conversations that provide the public different ways to experience local fashion and the included designers, from behind-the-scenes glimpses through to finished collections.
Though fashion is the focus this time, organisers, led by Jessie Wong of Yu Mei and Charlotte Davy of City Gallery Wellington, say they plan for Common Material to grow in scope.
“Wellington produces an extraordinary concentration of talent,” Wong, founder of the popular handbag label, points out. “Fashion and furniture designers, typographers, architects, jewellers and ceramicists who have had their start here do incredibly well on the international stage.”
Wong says the aim is to to help grow the creative industry, with future iterations including different disciplines.
“The ambition is that in two years’ time, we return with a wider group of design practitioners and a true biennial on our hands.”
Davy is excited the gallery is able to play host to this celebration of local talent.
“City Gallery Wellington is the centre of our city’s arts community,” Days says. “We’re throwing open our doors for a moment to welcome Wellington back into our space and celebrate this remarkably talented group of fashion designers who have grit and determination and have chosen to base themselves in our city. There are so many creative fingerprints on this project, and the gallery is the vessel that holds everyone in place.”
Programme of Events
Saturday, 6th June
11:00 –11:30am What is done in love will last forever: A runway show presented by twenty-seven names
12:00 –12:40pm In Conversation: Kowtow
1:30 –2:10pm In Conversation: twenty-seven names
3:00 –3:30pm Salon Yu Mei: A runway show presented by Yu Mei
Sunday, 7th June
11:00 –11:40am In Conversation: JPalm and Jimmy D
12:00 –12:40pm In Conversation: Yu Mei
2:00 –3:00pm Panel: Regenerating Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, presented by Kowtow
Tickets are on sale for the runway shows presented by JPALM, Twenty Seven Names and Yu Mei for $99 with hosted talks $39. Entry to the central exhibition is free.
For more information and tickets see wellingtonbiennial.com.
