Renowned Kiwi designer Maggie Marilyn returns to Afterpay Australia Fashion Week (AAFW), but this time with their first international runway show for the launch of, The Best of It. A nod to summer nostalgia, the affirming goodness of sailing clubs, and those brave enough to believe our best days are ahead of us.
The capsule brings to fruition founder and designer Maggie Hewitt’s original desire to fuse her penchant for vibrant, playful, feminine silhouettes with elevated wardrobe essentials. To create liveable luxury, the Maggie Marilyn way.
When Maggie Hewitt started designing this capsule, “New Zealand was at the beginning of one of its wettest summers on record. But despite the blueprint for disappointment, driving along coastal roads and past local beaches, you were hard-pressed to find an empty plot of land not occupied by people choosing to make the best of it”, said Hewitt.
Hewitt continued, “That summer reminded me of a childhood largely spent on, in, and near the ocean, even on its worst days. Dipping in and out of the Bay of Islands’ local sailing clubs with my three sisters. Places so steeped in nostalgia that within them, time stands still and is frequented by those who understand what it means to do what they love, even when it doesn’t feel easy. Sailors possess an optimism borne not from naivety but the quiet knowing that if they stay the course, good days are coming.”
This belief became the launchpad for the brand’s AAFW runway show and new capsule. Held at Rushcutters local sailing club, a place Hewitt felt was rooted in community, a crew of talented creatives and Maggie Marilyn’s community gathered to set sail and bask in one of those great days.
“Bringing this collection to life made me reflect on how grateful I am for Maggie Marilyn and the constant it has been throughout my twenties as I now approach my thirties”, said Hewitt.
“I’ve grown up alongside this brand, and, despite the challenges, it still feels like such a privilege to participate in an industry where we are tasked with making beautiful things that make people feel good about themselves and the future – and if I can affect positive change while I’m here, then that makes it all the more fulfilling”, Hewitt explained.
Throughout the capsule, you will find hand-painted floral prints inspired by her mother’s garden roses, an abundance of stripes synonymous with previous capsules and in Maggie Marilyn’s DNA since the beginning.
The stripes that feature in this capsule all pay homage to the stripes hidden in the details of a perfect summer: from the lifejackets, the faded racing stripes on the side of a boat, the shirt you throw over swimwear to the beach, and towels lined up for bodies to lie shoulder to shoulder.
Sparkles are also a feature, where Hewitt took inspiration from the way the sun hits the ocean on a bluebird day, as well as riches of juxtaposing textures; boucle wool shackets over striped swimwear, denim jeans next to bubbled satin silk blouses.
Maggie Marilyn’s first release of the new capsule will launch June 14th and will be available to shop online at or at Maggie Marilyn’s homes in Auckland or Sydney, Australia.
Committed to a softer footprint on the planet, each piece is crafted from traceable and organic or repurposed fibres.
Brand Partners:
Styled within the show were pieces from Maggie Marilyn’s offering of elevated wardrobe essentials, including the 01 Blazer, a product crafted in ZQRX Merino and Good Earth Cotton. The brand’s first garment made entirely from regenerative fibres.
Good Earth Cotton is a climate-positive regenerative farm that has played a vital role in Maggie Marilyn’s quest to transition natural fibres to regenerative ones.
To bring glowing summer skin to life, Maggie Marilyn partnered with world-leading, certified climate-positive and scientifically backed skincare brand Emma Lewisham. Beauty Director, Molly Warkentin, created a barefaced beauty look focusing on fresh and glowing skin.
“I focused on ‘lit from within’ skin inspired by Emma Lewisham’s bespoke Facial Protocol – the Illuminating Skin Reset Facial. Using the brand’s range of luxurious, backed by science products, the skin was massaged to stimulate blood flow, restore hydration, and impart a luminous sun-kissed, ‘fresh from an ocean swim’ glow”, said Warkentin.
Similarly, Dyson Hair Ambassador, Renya Xydis, deployed the brand’s innovative haircare technology to create an array of effortless hair looks reminiscent of carefree days spent by the ocean.
Maggie Marilyn has also collaborated with Australian designers; Essēn, Fella, Rylan Studio, and Released From Love to help bring The Best of It to life with head-to-toe looks for the runway.
Each brand has worked with Maggie Marilyn to create signature/limited edition pieces that emulate the capsule’s vibrant aesthetic. The limited-edition collaborations will be released via Maggie Marilyn throughout the year.
And finally, what perfect summer’s day doesn’t finish without good-old fish and chips followed by a refreshing beverage?
Maggie Marilyn teamed up with Betty’s Burgers and Malfy Gin to provide the ultimate show experience for its guests.
