6 Wellington Boys, 5 Cosy Kiwi Brands

Pōneke

— August 13, 2020 —

Hands up who’s partial to a cosy winter knit? Cute and comfy, they’re the perfect accompaniment for chilly winter days and crisp early morning coffee runs and farmer’s market adventures in autumn. They’re only made all the more sweet when they’re crafted from small brands on home soil. For CPC, there is no better time than now to shine the spotlight on local brands who are doing the most to bring us beautiful, well made clothes right here in our own backyard. 

Enter our Wellington Boys shoot, snapped by superb human Ayan (who you might remember from that tour she took us all on around Wellington). This time around, she shot and casted the boys—Wan, Kiki, Tommie, Mudz, Tino and Panatswa—around Petone, just outside of Welly, and at the infamous Botanic Gardens, which provides a picturesque backdrop all year round.

The sun was glowing and so were our models. Any cap city locals know that you can’t beat Welly on a good day, after all. Revel in the good vibes in the gallery above and then get to know the boys better below… 


Kowtow jumper, Zambesi beanie, 27mollys earrings

Name: Ephraim Mudiwa Nyahwa
Nickname: Mudz

Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I was born in Zimbabwe, but I have been in Wellington since I was two. So, Wellington!

How did you get into modelling?
[Laughs] I don’t model.

What album or musician has helped you get through this year so far?
Pop Smoke. A lot of Pop Smoke.

If you were to choose 3 people to go to dinner with—dead or alive—who would you eat with?
Shawn Stussy, Mark Gonzales and my grandma—I never really knew her

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m definitely a night owl.

Are there any social or cultural shifts you hope will happen in the next 10 years?
I would like for more acknowledgement of the influence of Black and African culture. And, also a less Eurocentric ideology being part of our day-to-day life.

 


Frisson Knits scarf, Sylvester by Kate Sylvester jumper, Nike sneakers, Wan's own pants

Name: Wan Gatkek
Nickname: Wanny

Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
Wellington, New Zealand is my home.

How did you get into modelling?
I have a few friends who are into it and they invited me, so I thought, “Why not?” It’s cool! 

What album has helped you get through this year?
Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship.

If you were to choose 3 people to go to dinner with—dead or alive—who would you eat with?
John Bevere, A$AP Rocky and Bishop TD Jakes.

Are you a morning person or night person?
Definitely a night owl.

Are there any social or cultural shifts you hope will happen in the next 10 years? 
I really do hope that many more people discover their identity. We live in a time where people are looking for themselves in the wrong places—I believe God knows us better than we know ourselves and that he has our best interests at heart.

 


Zambesi jumper & cardigan

Name: Tommie Love

Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I currently live in Wellington, New Zealand. It’s the capital city and it is where my genesis story begins. I grew up in a suburb called Berhampore, close to the vibrant suburb called Newtown, a place where many of my friends and family live. I feel at home in this city, because it is the place where I was able to cultivate the person I am today. I love myself and I think a lot of that has to do with my home city Wellington. It’s also known as Te Whanganui-a-Tara. There’s no place like it in the world.  

How did you get into modelling? Can you tell us the story of how you came to be signed to your agency?
I began modeling at the age of 15. One of the first shoots was with a photographer friend, Wassim Dia. We still collaborate  to this day. I became a 62 model last October after attending many open castings in the UK and hearing, “We won’t be taking you, thank you for coming today” one too many times.

Although it stung, it encouraged me to contact just one more agency. I was willing to be rejected, because something inside me knew I was going to get signed at some point. Coming back home and getting signed within 24 hours made it worthwhile.  

What album or musician has helped you get through this year so far?
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. 

If you were to choose 3 people to go to dinner with—dead or alive—who would you eat with?
My grandmother, James Baldwin and Coco Chanel.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Definitely a morning person, I love to start my day with berry tea and granola.

Are there any social or cultural shifts you hope will happen in the next 10 years?
African New Zealander’s owning their identities, more sustainability in the fashion world and a move towards fruit and vegetable markets.


Frisson Knits scarf, Sylvester by Kate Sylvester jumper

Name: Panatswa Dindingwe (but just Panatswa is fine.)

Where do you live now and where do you consider home? 
I live in Lower Hutt, New Zealand and I consider it to be home since I haven’t lived  anywhere else for the last 10 years. Previously, I lived in Zimbabwe.

How did you get into modelling?
I wouldn’t say that I do modelling. It’s just my friends who wanted to take photos of my mates and I because we love fashion, that’s all.

What album or musician has helped you get through this year so far?
In terms of pop artists, I would have to say Kanye West—his new songs on Jesus are both hype and cool. Also artists like Lacrae and KB. However, I mainly listen to Hillsong. 80% of the time I’m listening to worship songs because it’s good for the soul.

If you were to choose 3 people to go to dinner with—dead or alive—who would you eat with?
I would pick Bishop T.D Jakes, Michael Jackson and William Shakespeare.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I would say I’m both. I enjoy a good sunny morning and a beautiful night with the stars—it really just depends on my mood.

Are there any social or cultural shifts you hope will happen in the next 10 years?
I hope within the next 10 years we shift from a microwave generation to a generation with an eternal perspective. With an eternal perspective, what we do now matters more and gives value to our lives in the present. 

 


Wynn Hamlyn jumper, 27mollys earrings, Tino's own shirt (worn under) pants, rings and shoes

Name: Tino Chiura

Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I currently live in Northland.

How did you get into modelling?
By contacting a modelling agency.

What album or musician has helped you get through this year so far?
Sonder, Saint Jhn, and FKJ. I listen to a fair few musicians!

If you were to choose 3 people to go to dinner with—dead or alive—who would you eat with?
My girlfriend and two of my best mates. 

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I'm a night owl! (: 


Zambesi suit & scarf, 27mollys earrings, Kiki's own top

Name: Keith Naison Mdawarima
Nickname: Kiki

Where do you live now and where do you consider home? 
Wellington/Taranaki. 

How did you get into modelling?
I enjoyed being in front of the lens and was always just playing around with mates trying new stuff with photos.

What album or musician has helped you get through this year so far?
Octavian and Pyrex (both musicians). 

If you were to choose 3 people to go to dinner with—dead or alive—who would you eat with?
Bob Marley, Rocky and James Brown.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Definite night owl.

Are there any social or cultural shifts you hope will happen in the next 10 years?
People being more aware of climate change and taking steps as a whole to make things better.

 

Feature: Lofa Totua     Photos & Casting: Ayan Makoii     Fashion: Chloe Hill

Shot on location in Wellington, New Zealand

                    

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