Meteoric Rise For New Fashion Label
Augustine International’ - What Women Want
Kelly Coe is the fashion designer behind exciting new label
Augustine International. The 27 year old launched her label just
a year ago but its meteoric rise in popularity makes it clear that
Kelly knows what women want. Her fi rst summer range “fl ew
out the door” all over New Zealand and Australia, while one store
on the Gold Coast sold out of her range in two weeks.
Explaining the phenomenal success of her label, Kelly says she
designs what she would like to wear herself. “I have such a pas-
sion for the industry, with an eye for what to make and what will
sell. I put garments together that will work for people, that will
look stunning, rather than following a ‘trend’. Th e response to my
ranges proves that women in New Zealand and Australia know
what they look good in and what they want and I put together a
mixed range to suit. I am passionate about selling my designs and
fi nd stores they will work in.”
Kelly’s pathway to success as a designer was not the usual – from
a teenager who loved clothes and fashion magazines, she took a
degree in media and a post graduate degree in advertising. Straight
out of university, she worked as visual merchandiser for Nike before
taking up a modelling contract in Sydney.
I was there for a month and realised I didn’t want to be a model. I
came back to New Zealand to work at High Society, New Zealand’s
biggest manufacturer of high end clothing. Th ere I learnt all about
the ‘rag trade,’ from designing to selling, the fashion industry in
New Zealand and exporting to Australia. As a brand manager, I
sat in on design meetings and was part of the process from when
the fabrics are bought until the ranges go into the stores. I loved it
- it was a dream job.”
But Kelly had a greater dream – to set up her own design company.
With the support and advice of her husband Nathan, a successful
businessman, Kelly left High Society after 2 ½ years and took a leap
of faith. T