Colin Desmond Cole (1 February 1931 – June 1987) was a New Zealand fashion designer, active from the 1950s to 1980s.

Cole was born in Rotorua in 1931,[1] the son of Howard and Whylma Cole; his mother was a seamstress and pattern maker.[2] He attended Dilworth School in Auckland.[3] After a short lived job in the post office in Rotorua he began his career in fashion as a pattern cutter and apprentice designer for two dress making companies in Auckland, F.M. King and Classic Manufacturing.[2][3][4] He then designed children's clothes for manufacturer Poppetware.[3][4] In 1958 he set up his own business opening a boutique in Karangahape Rd before moving to Queen St and finally Parnell where his boutique was called The Establishment.[2][3][4]

Cole designed uniforms for different organisations and groups. In 1967 he designed new uniforms in wool gaberdine for female rail staff[5] and a National Bank uniform in 1970.[6] Uniforms made of wool donated by the Wool Board were designed for the University of Auckland Festival Choir in 1972 for their overseas tour.[7]

Cole exhibited and sold garments outside New Zealand: at the Commonwealth fashion show in 1967,[8] and in Muscat, Oman in 1986.[3] His dresses were also worn by well-known women such as opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa.[2] In 1968 one of his dresses was worn by Christine Antunovic representing New Zealand at the Miss Universe contest.[9] Lady Reeves, wife of Governor General Sir Paul Reeves, wore dresses designed by Cole at her husband's investiture and diplomatic reception in 1985.[10][11]

Cole was influenced by Christian Dior to take up a career in fashion design.[4] He was known for his bespoke evening dresses, ball gowns, debutante gowns, and smart daywear.[2] He specialised in personalised service and interaction with customers.[4] "In 1983, he said his aim as a designer was to bring to New Zealand women the truth about line and designs expressed in international fashion."[3]

Personal life

Cole and his wife Mairehau had eight daughters.[3][2] One of his daughters, Melissa Cole, is also a fashion designer.[12][13]

Cole died in June 1987 in Green Lane Hospital after heart surgery.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Colin Cole". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Colin Cole". www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz. 2014. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Obituary Mr Colin Cole". Press. 9 June 1987. p. 49. Retrieved 17 August 2023 – via Papers Past.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Hammonds, Lucy; Lloyd Jenkins, Douglas; Regnault, Claire (2010). The Dress Circle: New Zealand Fashion Design since 1940. Auckland: Godwit. pp. 83, 117, 171. ISBN 9781869621810.
  5. ↑ "New uniforms for rail hostesses". Press. 23 October 1969. p. 3. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023 – via Papers Past.
  6. ↑ Christchurch Star (21 October 1970). "The new National Bank uniform". DigitalNZ. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Salmon, Elizabeth (2015). Peter Godfrey: Father of New Zealand Choral Music. Eastbourne: Mākaro Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-9941065-8-2.
  8. ↑ "N.Z. wool fashions for London show". Press. 25 November 1967. p. 2. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023 – via Papers Past.
  9. ↑ "White wool". Press. 11 July 1968. p. 3. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023 – via Papers Past.
  10. ↑ "Lady Reeves: style under scrutiny". Press. 12 May 1987. p. 35. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023 – via Papers Past.
  11. ↑ Pollock, Kerryn (2014). "Fashion and textile design - Firmer footing, 1950s and 1960s". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. ↑ EVANS, ADRIAN (2 May 2012). "True South shakes up fashion world". Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  13. ↑ OurAuckland (23 August 2022). "A labour of love crafted one loop at a time". OurAuckland. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
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