Overview
This outfit for men - consisting of a ‘big T’ jumper in azure merino wool, a wool/cotton slimline shirt, and a pair of pure wool Cambridge check ‘hustler’ pants – was made by Nick Blanchet.
When designing a garment, Nick Blanchet sketches a design, then makes a pattern. He chooses the fabric, cuts it according to the pattern, then machine sews the pieces together. His designs are modern and minimal, as well as outstandingly well tailored.
Nicholas Blanchet attributes the success of his fashion design company, Blanchet Ltd, largely to his own hard work. He says he would like to delegate responsibilities, but he sees his ability to perform all roles as critical to the survival of his business, at least in the early stages. He thinks he will continue to do well if he’s realistic about his abilities, resources, and goals.
Nick Blanchet was born in New Zealand in 1968. He trained at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Design, and received his Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology in 1991. He spent the next year working in Wellington: first as a designer and pattern cutter for EX23 leather goods, then at Rosaria Hall, where he was involved in design, pattern cutting, and production supervision.
He released his own menswear range in 1994 under the label Blanchet. It was sold nationwide through Zambesi and Plume stores. Two years later, he registered his business as a limited company. Blanchet Ltd now has a strong following in New Zealand, and is gaining popularity in Australia and Japan.
Like many other young designers, such as Kate Sylvester, Blanchet uses wool in new and innovative ways. He says it is a cloth with amazing versatility – ‘a natural fibre with an intrinsic quality setting it above all others’. (1) He admits he is crafting garments, ‘in a part of the world better known for its rugby and scenic wonder, seemingly remote from the world of fashion.’ (2) But he believes that, away from overseas influences, he is free to develop his own look.
Blanchet became a brand partner with Wools of New Zealand in 1996. The brand partnership scheme aims to promote the use of wool by making specially selected designers and manufacturers, called ‘brand partners’, aware of the latest developments in the wool industry.
To this end, Wools of New Zealand also sponsors the wool section of the annual Smokefree Fashion Awards. In 1997, a garment designed by Janine Nuku took the wool section prize.
References
(1) Blanchet, Nick. (1995). Press Release. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa file L135.14:vol 3.
(2) Blanchet, Nick. (1995).
Text originally published in Tai Awatea, Te Papa's onfloor multimedia database (1998).