Dress, Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern wore this dress in 2008 when she was sworn into Parliament as a MP.

Jacinda Ardern had been a member of the Labour Party since she was 17. After graduating from the University of Waikato, she worked in the offices of Phil Goff and Helen Clark, and in Britain’s Cabinet and Home offices before returning to New Zealand. At the age of 28 she entered Parliament on Labour’s list following the 2008 election. Ardern was still a list MP at the beginning of 2017. In February she won a by-election in the electorate seat of Mt Albert – Helen Clark’s former electorate – and in March she became Labour’s deputy leader. On 1 August, less than eight weeks before election day, she succeeded Andrew Little as leader.

The dress is by Carolyn Barker, a Christchurch based designer, and marks the beginning of Ardern's public support of New Zealand designers. Throughout her career as a politician, Jacinda Ardern has demonstrated support for New Zealand fashion designers of her generation, and small businesses - Ardern held the small business portfolio for Labour prior to her becoming PM.

Capitalising on the media and public's obsession with female politicians' appearance / dress, Ardern has used her profile to showcase New Zealand designers both locally and internationally.

Jacinda Ardern wore a range of clothing by Juliette Hogan during her 2017 election campaign and a custom-made evening gown to the Queen's Banquet at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, a Maaike dress on election night and a Kate Sylvester dress for her swearing in as PM. Madeleine Harman and Jessica Grubiša dressed her for her 2018 European tour and for a shoot for Vogue (Feb, 2018).

'I see Jacinda as an outstanding role model for both women and girls today and it’s been amazing to see her and New Zealand represented in such a fresh and inspiring way on an international stage' - Juliette Hogan.

'Dressing Jacinda is a privilege – her support for New Zealand design and make is wonderful – exemplary! She has been a vision throughout her European tour. It’s a pleasure for us to dress women from all walks of life – in this instance, it feels special that Harman Grubiša is being worn by such an iconic figure and during such significant exchanges. As designers passionate about being Made in New Zealand, it is such a joy to be dressing our leading lady' - Madeleine Harman and Jessica Grubiša

https://fashiontv.nz/2018/05/02/jacinda-ardern-europe-designers/.