Two years ago, surfwear designer Gemma Lee was forced to hit pause on her rising fashion label after a traumatic surfing accident left her with a serious concussion.
Now, fully recovered and creatively recharged, she has made a bold return, both with a new Spring/Summer collection and a coveted spot in New Zealand Fashion Week’s Future of Fashion Showcase.
The showcase on Thursday, the 28th of August at 3:00 PM, Shed 10 Auckland Waterfront, will feature Lee’s expansive offering, from full wetsuits and springsuits to swimsuits, bikinis, wetsuit jackets, and leggings.
This breadth of styles represents years of design evolution and a commitment to fit, function, and joyful colour. It’s a vibrant step forward for the brand and Lee.
“There was a time when I wasn’t sure I’d ever design again,” said Lee.
“This collection isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a comeback. It represents everything I’ve fought through to get here.”
Lee first appeared on the NZFW stage in 2018 as part of the iD Fashion International Emerging Designer Showcase, where she was awarded Most Commercial Collection. Since then, her brand has grown a loyal following for its bold, size-inclusive surfwear and hand-drawn prints.
Being selected for Fashion Week’s Future of Fashion Showcase marked a significant milestone in her journey back.
“To be showing at Fashion Week again after everything feels like a full-circle moment. I’ve finally got my momentum back.”
At the heart of the Spring/Summer offering is Wildflower, a retro-inspired collection featuring springsuits, wetsuit jackets, and matching swimsuits. Lee inspired its signature hand-drawn prints from her mother’s garden, with over 22 hours spent creating the intricate Lola print alone.
“My mum’s garden has always felt like a place full of magic and life. I wanted to bring that energy into the collection with colour and movement that feels like wearable art.”
Gemma Lee’s Spring/Summer Wildflower collection will launch on the 21st of August.
