"Massey and I are the only straight guys in the competition."
I believe those were one of the first sentences designer Matt Costello from Stelloco Clothing ever uttered to me the first time we met way back in September at TVNZ for the Project Runway New Zealand launch party.
I laughed. And then we took this photo:
I was immediately drawn to their lack of pretentiousness. I sometimes feel that fashion events can have a certain vibe, and it's especially intimidating to go to these events alone. There's something about 'fashion' that some people interpret as being unapproachable. Even I felt a bit intimidated at the start of the night as I walked in alone, not really knowing anyone. But these guys - along with the other designers - made me feel so welcome. Matt was the chattier of the two and I could tell Massey was taking it all in. It was their big night, after all, and all eyes were on them.
We talked about how they were feeling ahead of the launch, got to know a bit about them and what made them tick, and of course we exchanged instahandles because who even has business cards these days?
Needless to say I was very curious to see what these guys are made of. I was rooting for them to succeed. I still am! There's something so fresh about their perspective and I think that's important in fashion. I especially loved Matt's top in his last challenge on the show and thought that he stayed true to who he is as a designer while also going with the brief. Aren't briefs meant to be interpreted after all?
I (and the rest of my lovely gang who commentates live with me on Monday nights) cheered loudly when Massey won the second challenge. I was proud of the way he dust himself off from the previous week and emerged victorious.
See what these guys have is something unique and so needed in the NZ fashion landscape right now so I'm really excited to see what the future holds for them.
To the straight guys of Project Runway New Zealand, thank you for shaking things up! I've loved hearing what you had to say through your garments. Monday nights are not the same!
Matt
How are you feeling right now?
I feel very humbled and honoured to be a part of the first season of Project Runway New Zealand, however I feel that the decision to send me home was the wrong one. Personally, I like to think my edgy forward thinking designing could of really been refreshing as a final collection on the show. The brief for this challenge was to not make it look like wearable art and felt the other bottom look was exactly that. But hey, win or learn!
What was the highlight of being on the show for you?
Getting to push my skill sets in a very intense environment. It has helped me realise my place in the fashion world and once again if you put your mind and heart into something you can achieve – but working in the team challenge was actually a highlight for me, because it’s the one that has defeated me, I want to learn from it and grow as a designer!
What garment would you have loved to create in this season?
I had some really awesome concepts in my mind to shock the public for the red-carpet challenge , and to find out that’s the following challenge I was pretty guttered.
Where to next? What have you got coming up?
I am now taking on the 2IC roll at the new barkers store in Nelson , this is really exciting time for me but also I am going to be driving my fashion line “Stelloco Clothing” to the top.
Where can we follow your work?
If you loved what I do and can see my passion – come join the culture and positive movement:
www.stelloco.com
Instagram : stellococlothing
Facebook : Stelloco
How are you feeling now?
I'm gutted that I'm leaving but so proud of what I was able to accomplish and learn in this time.
What inspires you?
Action! I love watching action movies – adrenaline sports; anything that gets the heart pumping and questions ones ability.
Dream collaboration/dream person to design for/dress?
I have always fantasised about designing for the likes of Balenciaga or Yamamoto; they are the pinnacle for me. Despite having a rather polarised aesthetics, I feel they tie really well into my design style.
Advice for those wanting to pursue a career as a fashion designer?
Live, love and learn.
Where can we follow you and keep up with what's next?
Follow me on my Instagram @discipleofdiscipline. I'm working on two different collections at the moment as well as doing film projects in Christchurch – we’re helping develop and promote Christchurch City.
Project Runway New Zealand airs every Monday, 7:30 pm on TVNZ 2. Watch it On Demand here. Images by Tom Hollow.
"Massey and I are the only straight guys in the competition."
I believe those were one of the first sentences designer Matt Costello from Stelloco Clothing ever uttered to me the first time we met way back in September at TVNZ for the Project Runway New Zealand launch party.
I laughed. And then we took this photo:
I was immediately drawn to their lack of pretentiousness. I sometimes feel that fashion events can have a certain vibe, and it's especially intimidating to go to these events alone. There's something about 'fashion' that some people interpret as being unapproachable. Even I felt a bit intimidated at the start of the night as I walked in alone, not really knowing anyone. But these guys - along with the other designers - made me feel so welcome. Matt was the chattier of the two and I could tell Massey was taking it all in. It was their big night, after all, and all eyes were on them.
We talked about how they were feeling ahead of the launch, got to know a bit about them and what made them tick, and of course we exchanged instahandles because who even has business cards these days?
Needless to say I was very curious to see what these guys are made of. I was rooting for them to succeed. I still am! There's something so fresh about their perspective and I think that's important in fashion. I especially loved Matt's top in his last challenge on the show and thought that he stayed true to who he is as a designer while also going with the brief. Aren't briefs meant to be interpreted after all?
I (and the rest of my lovely gang who commentates live with me on Monday nights) cheered loudly when Massey won the second challenge. I was proud of the way he dust himself off from the previous week and emerged victorious.
See what these guys have is something unique and so needed in the NZ fashion landscape right now so I'm really excited to see what the future holds for them.
To the straight guys of Project Runway New Zealand, thank you for shaking things up! I've loved hearing what you had to say through your garments. Monday nights are not the same!
Matt
How are you feeling right now?
I feel very humbled and honoured to be a part of the first season of Project Runway New Zealand, however I feel that the decision to send me home was the wrong one. Personally, I like to think my edgy forward thinking designing could of really been refreshing as a final collection on the show. The brief for this challenge was to not make it look like wearable art and felt the other bottom look was exactly that. But hey, win or learn!
What was the highlight of being on the show for you?
Getting to push my skill sets in a very intense environment. It has helped me realise my place in the fashion world and once again if you put your mind and heart into something you can achieve – but working in the team challenge was actually a highlight for me, because it’s the one that has defeated me, I want to learn from it and grow as a designer!
What garment would you have loved to create in this season?
I had some really awesome concepts in my mind to shock the public for the red-carpet challenge , and to find out that’s the following challenge I was pretty guttered.
Where to next? What have you got coming up?
I am now taking on the 2IC roll at the new barkers store in Nelson , this is really exciting time for me but also I am going to be driving my fashion line “Stelloco Clothing” to the top.
Where can we follow your work?
If you loved what I do and can see my passion – come join the culture and positive movement:
www.stelloco.com
Instagram : stellococlothing
Facebook : Stelloco
How are you feeling now?
I'm gutted that I'm leaving but so proud of what I was able to accomplish and learn in this time.
What inspires you?
Action! I love watching action movies – adrenaline sports; anything that gets the heart pumping and questions ones ability.
Dream collaboration/dream person to design for/dress?
I have always fantasised about designing for the likes of Balenciaga or Yamamoto; they are the pinnacle for me. Despite having a rather polarised aesthetics, I feel they tie really well into my design style.
Advice for those wanting to pursue a career as a fashion designer?
Live, love and learn.
Where can we follow you and keep up with what's next?
Follow me on my Instagram @discipleofdiscipline. I'm working on two different collections at the moment as well as doing film projects in Christchurch – we’re helping develop and promote Christchurch City.
Project Runway New Zealand airs every Monday, 7:30 pm on TVNZ 2. Watch it On Demand here. Images by Tom Hollow.
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