Amber Gardner is the designer and owner of the fashion label, Shjark, a womenswear brand focused on quality materials and unexpected colour combinations.
“I wanted to focus on quality and craftsmanship; continuing on my own journey in the pursuit of effortless perfection.”
Originally wanting to be an architect, Gardner’s aspirations shifted when she was introduced to fashion magazines. After studying at Massey University, she was thrown in the deep end when she landed an opportunity to design for Murray Crane and his many menswear labels.
She would go on to design for numerous well-established men's and women’s brands before eventually founding Shjark after a decade in the industry.
“It was always a dream and goal to have my own label. Shjark was created as my reaction to the shifting tides of the market at the time, and my own personal desire for a move toward a 'less-is-more' approach.”
Gardner said that collections are produced after being crafted with care, locally, and made to last as well. She also said that her inspiration comes from what is happening in the world around her in regard to fashion.
“It's how that translates into the needs of your market. I'm inspired by lifestyle and that's actually an ever-evolving source as we move through time. It's also important to know where you've been in order to know or predict where you're going.”
Gardner often reflects on what her previous season’s collection has showcased and considers current events in the world before starting anything new for the upcoming season.
She said that taking into account what people’s moods and needs may be before starting to design is a vital part of her design process.
“I start with fabrics since we are somewhat limited by what we can get in New Zealand. The cohesion of the collection as a whole is always a priority for me, and I work hard to put colours together in a fresh way each season,” said Gardner.
“If a beautiful style, concept or fabric doesn't fit with the collection, I won't use it. Being so particular about the capsule as a whole can be a real hindrance, but I think the result is always worth it in the end.”
Hard work, persistence and patience are the three key pieces of advice that Gardner would pass on to aspiring designers, and nothing worthwhile is easy, with fashion being no exception.
Her goals for the future are to deliver locally crafted, forever pieces that women can look and feel good in, and that her upcoming collaborations with local brands are an announcement she cannot wait to share the details for.
