In Conversation with Anna Murray, Laing.

Spring! New Season! Tell us about how your feeling now the days are getting longer and the sun is beginning to shine?

A sense of excitement. I’m a real beach, swimming, lounging girl so summer is my favourite season. But I love spring too. Spring is more about observation-what is to come- and summer about doing.

Talk us through the new collection, what are your favourite pieces - how will you be styling them and where will you be wearing them?

My favourites are the cotton sweaters (Nico and Vivian), Oversized Cotton Shirt and the new West Polo. The Oversized Shirt will get a real workout this season as I will be wearing like a soft jacket over the Virginia Tank and then over the top of my swimsuit going to and from the beach. The Vivian and Nico Sweaters are already in high rotation and I can see myself wearing them while sipping on a G&T on a beach in the early evening. I love the slightly preppy style of the West Polo when worn back with classic jeans or a Bermuda style short.

How does the new collection reflect your mood?

When I designed this range in 2021 I was looking forward to moving past the trials and tribulations of the last few years and being released from all the “rules”. So I was thinking about pieces that you wore as you went back to the office, to lunch with friends and for travel. Still recognising that we are carrying forward a more casual style that we have embraced for the last few years.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

Ducking under waves, catching rides on friends boats, fresh seafood, falling asleep under the shade of a pohutukawa and time with family.

You've played with contrast a lot this season - lighter fibres in heavier gauge weight - tell us about the different weights, feel and fabrications in this collection.

With the knitwear collection, I’m always trying to find new ways to explore texture and shape. I love the feel of cotton in summer so bringing a cotton yarn in with the oversized Nico sweater, then the heavier cable knit of the Vivian have bought that variety. Then I personally love paring these chunkier weights back with the contrast of silk. Silk is such a beautiful fabric to wear in summer and now that we are using the washable silk it is functional as well.

Laing has an ethos of small batch production - you only order what you know will go to forever homes essentially. Why is this important to you?

There are many issues that the fashion industry has to work through, but one of the major ones is over production. Brands over produce to get better pricing or so that they can “mark-up-to-mark-down” and essentially get the same price at sale as they would if they priced fairly in the first place. For me, producing just the right amount means that I only sell what I produce and usually sell out of styles before the end of the season. So its about minimising waste. When I only produce 50-100 pcs per style it also means customers are not going to see all their friends in the same garment and to me that that makes that garment more special and unique to you.

Knitwear is a key part of many women's wardrobes, how do we best care for our knitwear so they remain in our wardrobes for seasons to come?

Knits are important in Australasian womens wardrobes because of our more casual lifestyles and the mecurial weather patterns make them perfect for layering. So the most important things with prolonging these wardrobe staples is to:

Fold – don’t hang. Air – don’t over wash. Handwash – not machine wash. Wear and rest (especially delicate cashmere). Watch sharp objects and rubbing with cross body bags. Remember all knits, even chunkier ones are delicate due to the fact that they are knitted not woven so they need a bit of respect!

Quickfire - favourite spot for a cocktail / currently reading / weekend adventure / summer soundtrack / long lunch spot

Favourite spot for a cocktail – any deck overlooking a beach

Weekend adventure – long walks through the city

Summer Soundtrack – Fat Freddys Drop

Long Lunch Spot – Duke Of Marlborough, Russell