Photo: Katherine LoweNine years ago, in 2003, Murray Crane gave me my first job in menswear. I was a retail assistant at his brand new Newmarket store and worked there a few days a week while I was at university. When the Newmarket store closed, I went to the High Street store for a while, then the Richmond Road store for a long stint, and spent countless hours ironing shirts in the workroom and delivering stock to Crane Brothers in a white column-shift van. I've stayed in touch with Murray over the years, and his collections, made-to-measure suits and tailored cotton pants have been regular topics covered on my blog. I like to think we have complementary aesthetics, and we've exchanged a few thousand emails about the state of menswear over the years.
When Little Brother moved to Barkers back in 2009, I was fascinated to see how a much-loved boutique label would translate to being sold alongside a mass-produced chainstore brand. The first couple of seasons were pretty safe, the next couple got a bit more adventurous, we did a collaboration last Summer, then there was the huge success of that duffel coat in Winter just been. The offering keeps getting better and better, and I now have a vested interest in that being the case.
Yesterday, on my second to last day in New Zealand, I was appointed Creative Director of Little Brother. It's a job I've wanted for about 12 years – back when I used to live in Christchurch, I'd come to Auckland for holidays and hang around the original Ponsonby Road Little Brother store until there wasn't a piece I hadn't tried on. Then I'd go back the next day in case anything new had come in. I'm a long term fan and I'm incredibly excited to be re-joining the company after a six year hiatus.
My first collection designed alongside Murray Crane for Little Brother will be Spring/Summer 2012/2013, and we're getting started on it next week. The best bit is that I get to do it from New York City. It's literally my dream job and I cannot wait to get cracking. Wish me luck!
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35 comments:
you are one lucky s..-of a b.... , so pleased for you isaac
That pretty good. good luck
I'm so freaking excited by this news!
Excited for you, excited for the Little Brother brand, excited for Murray Crane and excited for Barkers....I'm rambling...
Congratulations on the appointment to Creative Director, well deserved, well earned, well on your way to being a baller!
That's so awesome Isaac, congratulations! Soak up this feeling, because it's not down to luck, it's down to all of your work over many years xx
We already had this conversation but I reiterate everything I said when you told me. Have a good flight. x
Woah, I am so stoked for you, that is so exciting! Congratulations! You earned it! I bet it will be the time of your life.
So awesome. Congrats Isaac
congratulations Isaac! I'll be home for a visit at the end of the year, look forward to checking it out!
Congratulations
hay, this topic came up and you didn't tell me! talk about secret squirrels [you and kat] awesome news congrats!
Congrats! I still find it so... surreal and kinda funny that Murray's dad was my art teacher, Murray is from my town (Geraldine) and he's been so successful in fashion (Geraldine ain't exactly the fashion capital of the south island - stubbies and Speights Tees are abundant among men). According to my mum, when he worked at my school (along side his dad, I presume) he always wore immaculate suits and was always fashionable.
I'm sure you'll do an amazing job! I'm really interested in seeing more unisex stuff coming from Little Brother as well. Hint hint. ;)
P.S. Tell Murray to give my regards to his dad. He'll know who I am. Haha.
wow, Isaac - that is so amazingly wonderful, so deserved. It's further proof that just *doing you* always wins, and so inspiring.
wicked cuz
GOOD LUCK and well done, stick with something long enough and they so sick of seeing you hang around they employ you lol
Congrats big time!
Congrats Isaac that is awesome news! xxx
Congrats Bro! Love seeing people do well by working hard!
awesome. awesome. awesome
shot my baller friend.... you will be calling the shots for Barkers pretty soon bro
You don't need good luck! Yay you!!!
Nice one man!
Wow amazing!! I love Little Brother!! Congratulations! You will be the best!
Congratulations Isaac! Amazing. Looking forward to seeing the goods!
Congratulations Isaac! Excitemon! And welcome home :-)
RAD!!! congrats isaac, you are pretty much awesome.
Great news. Look forward to the new collection!!
As a Christchurch native, I've got to say congratulations to you. Looks like all the hard work is paying off!
Congratulations Isaac!
Olivia I wore the suits when I went to school, I never did any work!
Haha, that's great Murray! Mum say's hi if you remember her. :)
That's as choice as you could have hoped for Isaac! Big 'yo bro way to go' from all @ Red11! Xx
Congratulations Isaac! You have come so far and your hard work has finally payed off. I'm excited for your first collection.
Yizzirr!! Well done brother.
Frickin' AWESOME dude!!
Congratulations Isaac. This is indeed a fantastic opportunity and blessing for you! Reaping the harvest of what you've sown over the years it sounds like. This is a great inspiration to another aspiring menswear designer from New Zealand. I really look forward to seeing the 12/13 season next summer!
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