Kathryn Leah Payne

Kathryn Leah Payne @ NZFW 2011 (Christchurch Earthquake Charity show)

2011-09-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Photos by Michael Ng

My new website is live!

2011-04-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.kathrynleahpayne.com/

We got into the studio at last!

2011-04-03T23:08:00.000-07:00

On February the 22nd we had a huge earthquake in Christchurch. The city has been cordoned off and after 6 weeks of worrying we were finally granted access to the studio and were able to go up for 30 minutes!
It was a very eerie experience driving through the cordon and into the deserted Red Zone. There was an awful smell in the air and it was so strange to see things like coffee cups or glasses just sitting outside on tables exactly as they would of been six weeks ago, before the quake. The library was dark and deserted, all the precious books lay in piles on the floor. The streets were full of carnage, so many badly damaged and crumbling buildings had spilled bricks, glass and mortar onto them. The railing from the viewing platform of our iconic Cathedral lay twisted and bent in the middle of the square, a cold reminder of the devastating damage caused by the quake.
We had to don hi vis vests, hard hats and head torches to prepare for our allotted time slot in the studio. It was crazy and hectic running up the 6 flights of stairs, grabbing as much as we could, throwing everything into wool sacks and then dragging them back down the stairs. Shelving, tables and even some of my heavy machines had fallen making it extremely difficult to find specific items. We couldn't get any of my big industrial machines or cutting tables but got most of my fabric, fur, leather, some portable machines, mannequins and tools! Yay so happy. I'm crossing my fingers for another go but at this stage its very unlikely. I've got a hell of a lot of things to sort through and organise but I'll be back to business sometime soon!

The car packed to the brim with stuff from the studio!

Love to Christchurch Charity Fashion Show in Wellington

2011-03-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

Major quake in Chch

2011-03-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

Sadly my beautiful city of Christchurch was devastated by a major earth quake on Feb 22nd. My heart goes out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.
My Cathedral Square studio is badly damaged, I was up there on the 6th floor at the time and it was terrifying.
I'm unable to gain access to it at this stage, or infact get anywhere near it.
I will not be able to finish deliveries of my A/W11 range into shops but my samples and patterns have been saved. Sadly its highly unlikely I'll be able to produce my S/S11 sample range either due to loss of studio, equipment and materials.
There's still a small chance I'll be able to get in there at a later stage to retrieve my things so I'm trying to stay positive.
My thoughts and love are with Christchurch and its people.

My fav runway shot , taken at NZ fashion week at the close of my show

2010-12-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

Claire wears Constellation Necklace and Draco Dress.
Photo by Brad Hick @ Six 6 Photography

Into A Baroque Future, AW2011

2010-10-03T00:36:00.000-07:00

A few photos from my lookbook:

For my Autumn/Winter 2011 collection entitled “Into A Baroque Future” I blended influences from the past such as corsetry and Victorian Gothic with contemporary materials and techniques then infused it all with a wee bit of sci fi in a style I call Baroque Futurism.
The collection is sophisticated and sexy in its mood, yet grounded by its wearability and bound by impeccable workmanship.
Beginning with a dark palette I built on this by using metallic highlights, diverse textures and intricate handcrafted detailing. The dark colour palette is inspired by the night sky and each piece in the collection is named after a star or constellation.

I used beautifully soft lambskin leather, vintage brocades, printed cottons, metallic wools, fluid viscose jersey, silks, NZ possum and calf fur. Merino jersey and velvet feature together throughout the collection in figure hugging pieces with three dimensional hand cut and plaited panel detailing. Lacing and eyelet detailing add interest and intricatelytucked bustles feature on coats and trousers.
To compliment the clothing I designed and hand made dramatic three dimensional laser cut acrylic jewellery and accessories

Kathryn Leah Payne at NZ Fashion Week 2010

2010-09-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

Vega Dress: Metallic cotton

Constellation Drape and Headpiece: Laser cut acrylic

Izar Gorget: Lambskin

Polaris Pants: Viscose jersey

Nebula Neckpiece: Lambskin and velvet

Electra Boot covers: Lambskin

Alcyone Corset: Metallic print cotton

Corvi Skirt: Metallic print cotton

Nebula Neckpiece: Lambskin and velvet

Constellation Earrings: Laser cut acrylic

Draco Dress: Lambskin

Constellation Necklace: Laser cut acrylic and brass

MORE RUNWAY SHOTS COMING SOON

Photos by Michael Ng

Kathryn Leah Payne at NZ Fashion Week

2010-08-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

Kathryn Leah Payne will be showing at New Zealand Fashion Week as part of the PWC New Generation Group Show!

Photos from my design archive featuring my original handcrafted detailing:

2010-05-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

Leather Jacket with handcrafted cutout detail 2002
Wool Trouser with sheet music screen print 2002
Finalist in the Deutz 2002 Fashion Design Ambassador Awards
(I re released this Jacket for my current 2010 collection due to the many comments I always get when wearing my original sample from 2002! It has sold well at both Deval and NG Boutique)

Suede Top 2002
Leather Cuff with handcrafted cutout detail 2002
Wool Pencil Skirt 2002
Finalist in the Deutz 2002 Fashion Design Ambassador Awards

Leather Harpist Collar with handcrafted cutout detail 2002

Leather Concerto Cuff with handcrafted cutout detail 2002

Leather Harpist Collar with handcrafted cutout detail 2002
Leather Jacket and lace headscarf

Leather Harpist Collar with handcrafted cutout detail 2002
Leather Jacket and lace headscarf

2010-04-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

View from the studio on Anzac morning
Photo by Michael Hewson

2010-04-20T20:19:00.000-07:00

Working hard in my studio above Cathedral Square. Its a pretty sweet spot and an inspiring place to be!

2010-03-22T21:25:00.001-07:00

This little article was in the Dom post fashion supplement last week!

Jackal and Hide

2010-03-03T00:43:00.000-08:00

New Autumn/Winter 2010 stock in store from 1st Feb. Limited quantities are selling fast!

Fantail Jacket in black lambskin with crocodile embossed contrast.