This Autumn season sees the introduction of a collection of luxurious knitwear to the Bianca Spender repertoire. We look to a sense of effortless refinement through comforting cashmere knits that capture signature drape and delicate twists.
Each piece from this collection has been hand-crafted within the Tolaga Bay atelier, located in a remote stretch of coastal terrain on the eastern cape of New Zealand. The story of Tolaga Bay Cashmere began over 35 years ago in pursuit of creating the finest cashmere in the world. Embodying our shared ethos, Tolaga Bay represent slow fashion that captures the craft of the hand.
Scroll on to discover the story and rich family heritage of the Tolaga Bay Cashmere atelier.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
"Firstly, I suppose is that my name is George, and I am the General Manager here at Tolaga Bay Cashmere, and fortunate to be the 2nd generation involved in our family business.
A little about myself is that I grew up here in Tolaga Bay with much of my childhood encompassing rural life, and the natural amenities of our location, including our beautiful beaches and wild countryside. Growing up I enjoyed weekends horse riding, surfing, water skiing, rugby and tennis, and although I watched my mother start and grow Tolaga Bay Cashmere with much pride and admiration, it wasn’t till after returning from university in my mid 20’s when my father became ill, that I got involved in working with my mother for many years. Firstly learning to knit and as the years ticked over become involved in all aspects of the business."
CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE NEW ZEALAND LANDSCAPE IN WHICH YOU ARE NESTLED?
"Tolaga Bay is very remote, in the essence that it is out on the East Coast, where we are famed for having beautiful beaches and endless summers (although that endless summer has been missing the last couple of years!!) Tolaga Bay township is small and is located within a bay that is framed with long elongated headlands shaping a beautiful U shaped bay, with dramatic cliff top headlands.
Our farm and cashmere goats are located on one side of these headlands, and they get the picturesque view out across the Pacific Ocean daily!"
DO YOU FEEL THIS NATURAL LANDSCAPE INSPIRES YOUR DRIVE FOR LUXURY PIECES THAT REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF A HUMAN HAND?
"We are privileged with such beauty in our landscape, but I think more importantly is that being remote we are also naturally slower paced, than the hustle and bustle of more urban areas, and I think that slower pace runs through our team making sure to take our time to ensure quality.
I think we naturally lend ourselves to slow fashion. We expect our garments perform and look good at the same time. We are often told by customers that have had a Tolaga Bay Cashmere for over 30 years, and that quality is very important to us."
YOU LOOK TO EMBODY SLOW CULTURE AND LUXURY CRAFTSMANSHIP. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PRACTICES?
"Our luxury craftsmanship really comes down to ensuring quality, I guess it takes ultimate care and attention, but also knowledge and seeking to push the boundaries of could this be better? or could we make changes here to improve this etc. All of our items are meticulously hand worked in various stages of the garment, and I don’t think there is any substitute for artisan craftsmanship, it’s amazing how skilled mankind can become with time and dedication, I myself have noticed over many years just how skilled I’ve become with a needle!
With having our own cashmere goats, and constantly analysing and improving this over numerous decades has really helped build our knowledge, and expertise in what we do."
YOUR MOTHER FOUNDED TOLAGA BAY CASHMERE. WAS IT A NATURAL EVOLUTION TO CONTINUE HER LEGACY?
"My mother really should be answering these questions! As all the credit should be hers, she started with a vision and a quest to make beautiful cashmere from her own cashmere goats here in Tolaga Bay, with sophistication and elegance.
What started out with my father rounding up tens of thousands of wild goats, sometimes jumping from helicopters in the 1980’s to do so! And from that very wide number of animals just very slowly over decades selectively breeding for the very best cashmere.
I wouldn’t say it was a natural evolution, but more that I admired her quest, however I also noted how difficult at times it was and especially with my father becoming ill and the stress related to that. I wanted to help, and since then, her and I have been working together now just on 15 years, and I can safely say that her obsession has became mine!"
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT SETS TOLAGA BAY CASHMERE APART?
"I believe what really sets us apart is not only having our own cashmere heard, but also the knowledge and expertise accumulated in over 35 years in both cashmere fibre and knitwear craftsmanship, and along with that our natural alignment with sustainability and slow fashion ethos.
A Tolaga Bay Cashmere garment is an investment piece, and we want to make sure that you love that piece for years to come."
WHAT ARE YOU DRAWN TO ABOUT THE BIANCA SPENDER CASHMERE DESIGNS?
"We love the clean lines and interesting details that give the pieces a unique and sophisticated lift. We really like the cashmere garment with the twist in the shoulder, with a slightly abstract shape to enhance an elegant drape.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Bianca Spender team to create these designs and look forward to working together again on more beautiful pieces."