Catherine Boddy and Heather Brennan Evans x The Art Paper

Olivia Renouf visits an exclusive fashion show with Catherine Boddy and Heather Brennan Evans, hosted by The Art Paper.

We speak to the designers.

Thank you to our sponsors, Instax, Joiy, Almighty Soda and Proper Crisps. Photography: Olivia Renouf

Heather Brennan Evans

Your looks made me think of Méret Oppenheim’s furry cup and saucer—Black Forest meets Fruits magazine. Can you tell us about some of your references for this collection? 

I love those references! This work was a lot about experimentation and play—when Catherine and I decided to have a show it was the perfect opportunity to make lots of one-off pieces and truly immerse in play without focusing on the commercial aspect … for a few months!

There are also a couple of films that influenced the aesthetic — Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970) and Celine and Julie Go Boating (1974). There’s a sense of magic, mystery and eeriness in these films which I’m always drawn to <3 and ‘Emily The Strange’ lol.

Fernande Olivier, Picasso’s first wife, used to say that if a hat did not provoke some witticism from a man on the street the hat was not a success. What’s the marker of a good hat for you? 

I would have to agree! If it has personality, practicality and feels nice to wear that’s a great start.

Lots of the pieces were patchworked or smocked or edged with lace, grandmotherly making methods you mix with more renegade, deconstructive techniques. How did you hone these practices?

Lots of sewing, play, trial, error; and being a virgo!

I’ve moved hours away from pattern making to the textile and construction as it’s my favourite part. The above techniques can be hard to produce on mass and I like that as it makes the pieces special and individual.

Where can we find Heather Brennan Evans pieces?

I have webstore you can shop show pieces and more ✰ heatherbrennanevans.com/shop ✰

And a selection of pieces will be available at Radd Lounge in Tokyo in the not too distant future! Feel free to email or DM me also for something custom ❤

What would help young, independent designers like yourself to flourish in New Zealand?

Not a paid plug but, support from The Art Paper helped us to flourish! Having our show hosted at The Art Paper HQ helped us in many ways, it was very inspiring having people in the community reach out to help.

In terms of professional development and connecting fashion and textiles more to the arts—it would be great if there were residency-type programmes in these areas, most of these opportunities are overseas so it would be great to have some in Aotearoa!

Catherine Boddy

You make clothes for Hot-girl Bootcamp. What are the rules for admission?

Wear your heart on your chest and never neglect your extremities. 

Be confident and attention seeking enough to want to wear extreme, serving looks. 

How would Paris Hilton review a Catherine Boddy glove?

Paris and I have a lot in common. We seem dumb, but we’re both really smart, and we both have a vocal fry. So I would describe the gloves like; chic and weird and hot. 

Tell us about your key motifs—the harlequin diamonds, the Christmas colours, the heart cut-outs? 

I choose greens and reds that always have to be way more soviet than xmas, this has been my fave colourway for like the last decade! It’s pretty simple really, I like what I like. 

My grandad owned the comic book shop Heroes For Sale when I was growing up. I read a lot of DC Universe, I always liked Poison Ivy more than Harley Quinn though, idk what happened there! Maybe that’s the green and red AND diamonds all in one inspo.

Where can we find Catherine Boddy pieces?

I have stockists in LA, NY, Melbourne and Sydney. These are all linked in my IG bio. I’ve also got a webstore (in bio) andddd insta dm’s honestly are the fastest way to get my attention. I’m sorta slow putting things on my webstore because my whole brand is literally only me doing everything. Send me a message :) I love doing customs.

What would help young, independent designers like yourself to flourish in New Zealand?

Leave for a bit and get some worldly experience. Have crazy drive. Delusion. People just need to buy our stuff, like, they can support but they also need to buy!

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