In Conversation with Winnie Solomon.

Interview & Photography by Oscar Heim

Portrait of Winnie Solomon, Founder of Winnie Catherine

When you ask Winnie Solomon how she'd describe her work, she speaks with clarity; she creates minimal, sophisticated clothing for women through her Pōneke/Wellington-based label, Winnie Catherine. Originally inspired to dress her friends as they stepped fresh-faced into their respective careers, while she pursued an honours degree at Massey University, she has built a brand that feels deeply personal, with each piece designed around how the wearer will move and live in it.

Solomon draws from Victorian-era craftsmanship, and finds inspiration in watching people navigate Wellington. Everything produced by Winnie Catherine is made in New Zealand from Winnie's Hataitai studio, and is released when it feels necessary, rather than following seasonal drops. As the brand grows, we were lucky enough to catch up with Winnie in Hataitai, a Wellington suburb deeply woven into the story of Winnie Catherine.

How would you describe what who you are, and you do, to someone who isn’t as familiar with your work?

Kia ora! I'm Winnie Solomon, creative director and founder of Winnie Catherine, a fashion label based in Pōneke/Wellington, that produces a minimal collection of well-considered, sophisticated clothing for women. Before Winnie Catherine came to fruition, I completed a four-year fashion degree at Massey University here in Wellington, and at that point I decided to start a business designing corporate-wear for women. A lot of my friends went into law, science, and psychology, and I thought "...if I don’t join them, why not dress them?"

How did your passion for creation come about?

I’ve always been a creative person, alongside growing up in a sports-focused family. My parents have always been very career-driven, which gave me a strong work ethic in my output. I loved art subjects at school, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do at university, that’s such a big question for a 17-year-old! I knew I wanted to do something creative rather than sitting in a lecture hall, so going to Massey definitely catered to that. I always loved dressing up as a kid and designing clothes in my own head, but I never thought I could actually make that happen until university.

You draw from historical references, especially the 19th century. What draws you to that?

I take a lot from Victorian-era garments, particularly the emergence of the “new woman”, who I feel parallels the modern woman today. I’m inspired by the structure, sleeves, modesty, and craftsmanship of garments from that era, and I approach design by asking how I can translate historical motifs into something that is contemporary and sophisticated.

What matters more to you, how a garment looks or how it feels?

How it feels. I want the wearer to feel confident and supported, like a wraparound hug from me. If it doesn’t feel good, people won’t wear it.

Are there details in your work that might go unnoticed but mean a lot to you?

The construction. My shirts are French-seamed, which takes more time, but feels and looks better. The yoke line is also a consistent feature that makes my garments recognisable. There’s a lot of care in the final product that people who love fashion will notice.

What do you want to protect as the brand grows?

The values of Winnie Catherine. Particularly, scaling without losing what makes the garments special. I owe it to my community to keep everything well-made and considered while figuring out production and growth, it feels like walking a tightrope, but I’ll definitely figure it out as I go. Everything is made in New Zealand, from my studio at my parents’ house, which allows me to invest in other parts of the business.

What are your favourite Wellington places?

Prefab. I love the people, the energy and the food. It motivates me, I can’t work in silence.

Hataitai - the village, the new bakery (Fully Baked), the new pizza place (Cutie Pie).

I just really love Wellington in general!