Designer DETAIL

Visit the factory of ideas and experiments

New Zealand based label ‘World’ spontaneously came to life at a bus stop one evening by two people living in New Zealand.  With NZ$200 each, Francis Hooper and Denise L'Estrange-Corbet decided to start the clothing brand that they had both longed to establish. Francis was born in Hong Kong and whilst living in London in the early 80's he worked for Krizia, Michiko Koshino and little known designer John Galliano.

Denise was a graduate from the London College of Fashion and had studied production and women’s tailoring. She then worked for Scott Crolla and Georgina Godley in their Dover Street empire. In 1989 they both found themselves in New Zealand – Francis had been deported for overstaying, and Denise had decided to return to her roots.

Wowing the world

Within a very short space of time, World became the place for the New Zealand style set to shop.  World was, and still is (after 17 years), regarded as the most irreverent and avant-garde of any brand to ever surface from New Zealand. They have shown at official fashion weeks in London, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand and now Paris. They have 5 stores in New Zealand and one in Sydney, and have been stocked at some of the best boutiques internationally.

In 2002 they were the first New Zealand fashion brand to be named in the Queen’s Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours List, and made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit. In 2004 they were the first New Zealand brand to have a major exhibition at the Auckland Museum, which showcased the contributions they have made to the New Zealand fashion industry, titled “We Fought Fashion and Lost! WORLD 1989-2005”.

"Please don’t send me home!"  Womens and mens for A/W 2007

The women’s collection for A/W 2007 is built around eccentric, powerful suiting combinations in tweeds and denims that will excite anyone with a heartbeat. At the same time, the varied selection of separates are wearable and versatile, while still playing with the luxurious elements that make World’s garments so well loved

For guys, expect a collision of the modern-preppy, classic wise guy and the frontier man. The collection is made up of dynamic and iridescent prints with an American sensibility that provides an effortless elegance. In a delicate mixture of hardwearing and stylish pieces, “please don’t send me home” includes a story of suits designed to work as separates – guys can mix and match to their hearts content.

For stockists call (02) 9331 1170, or visit the store in Sydney on 1 Glenmore Road, Paddington NSW 2021.  Also, check out the website www.worldbrand.co.nz