PATRONILLA SHIRTS

Grey Sheep

patronilla_shirts

Location

auckland / new zealand

University

auckland university of technology

PATRONILLA SHIRTS is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Nilla Loheni is the designer, working from home tailoring straight off the mannequin for each design before they are turned over to the refiners, all local contractors and services for the fine tuning of the fit.

PATRONILLA SHIRTS supports the ethos of working on one thing, and executing that one thing to the best of her ability. Paring back to good quality tailoring with the focus to make long shelf life pieces for her customers.

Designed with an independent and thoughtful consideration of the female form, respectful of individuality and good design, each garment is made to the highest standard, holding true to the grace, elegance, style and heart of the wearer.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICE.

We utilise all local business and services in New Zealand.

We use what is available on the ground.

We only use pure fabrics from local wholesalers.

We are in no way excessive in production, waste and costs.

We make only what is required and needed at the time.

ALTHOUGH WE WORK WITHIN THESE LIMITS, IN NO WAY DOES IT COMPROMISE OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE STYLE, QUALITY, AND DELIVERY OF OUR GARMENTS.

Latest Collection

CHARACTER BUILDING 2016

THE STORY BEHIND THE OBI shirt COLLECTION

My first collection 2016 “Character Building” begins with an exploration into the classic ‘crisp white cotton shirt’ and offers two styles. ENVELOPE & MERINGUE.

The original inspiration came from the obi: the sculptural ‘bow’ tied at the back of the Japanese kimono. To work this inspiration into my first two shirts, I develped horizontal back darts coming from the side seams. The have a shaping effect that gives an openess and space to the female form, creating a distinctive and sculptural silhouette that allows the shirt to show its femme side inside a boxy shape. The ‘obi darts’ have become my signature, and provide a strong point of difference for Patronila Shirts.

As I developed these first two shirts, and considered what might follow, I began to feel them as characters, like siblings in a family. An organ of sorts like the heart.

Let me introduce my first Collection characters ‘Envelope’ and Meringue’