Zoe Walker Ahwa

2 weeks ago | ensemblemagazine.co.nz | Zoe Walker Ahwa

This is some text inside of a div block. This is some text inside of a div block. This is some text inside of a div block. - This is some text inside of a div block. This is some text inside of a div block. - This is some text inside of a div block. This is some text inside of a div block. PeopleStill Here: Celebrating our Local African Talent of Tāmaki is a new photographic series honouring the vibrance, creativity and continued presence of Black and African communities in Tāmaki Makaurau.

2 weeks ago | ensemblemagazine.co.nz | Zoe Walker Ahwa

In an age of algorithm-driven macro trends that flatten personal style until everything starts to look the same, how do you develop a point of view that’s truly your own? For most of the genuinely stylish people I’ve met, fashion isn’t about trends, or what’s on Instagram or TikTok. It’s often not even about the clothes. It’s about a rich mix of references and inspirations they interpret, and make entirely their own. References are the backbone of the fashion industry.

1 month ago | ensemblemagazine.co.nz | Zoe Walker Ahwa

They’re everywhere, once you start looking. On pop stars working with conversation-starter stylists: Addison Rae in a hipstercore American Apparel-coded purple zip-up (styled by Dara for her Headphones On video), or Lorde in a minimalist grey version adorned with brooches (styled by Taylor McNeill). On Romy Mars, daughter of Sofia Coppola, in her charmingly bratty TikToks. On the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau, worn by cool young things with low-slung jeans.

1 month ago | ensemblemagazine.co.nz | Zoe Walker Ahwa

This story was originally published on our Substack for paid subscribers. Read the full story, and help secure the future of Ensemble, by becoming a paid subscriber for $7 a month or $75 a year. In March 2023 I wrote an opinion piece bluntly declaring, “It’s time for Air NZ to update its uniforms”. Two months later, the airline announced exactly that: after 12 years, they were looking for a new designer to give it an update.

2 months ago | ensemblemagazine.co.nz | Zoe Walker Ahwa

A few weeks ago we popped into Kowtow’s Newmarket store, where Rebecca and I gravitated towards two dresses that really summed up our individual vibes: me, A-line polka dots and her, a bright yellow “sack” (not an insult, she’d describe it and many of the dresses in her wardrobe that way). She loved it so much that she bought it on the spot, wore it out of the store and later packed it for her trip to Hawke’s Bay.