Lifestyle brand Wallace Cotton has collaborated with the Auckland Art Gallery to launch its art-inspired sleepwear collection.
Reimagining work by one of New Zealand’s pioneering modern artists, the sleepwear collection draws inspiration from Dunedin-born artist Maud Sherwood’s artwork, dubbed ‘Reading’.
The art-inspired sleepwear collection is part of the brand’s strategy in combining creativity and storytelling through apparel design, specifically the canvas of painting a woman immersed in a book, draped in a patterned Japanese kimono.
“From the moment we saw Sherwood’s Reading, we were struck by the striking detail of the kimono,” said Julia Gardner, Wallace Cotton spokesperson.
“Our talented in-house designers translated these elements into a hand-painted textile design, layering brushstrokes to capture the richness of Sherwood’s palette, using deep moody tones with touches of cream and orange,” said Gardner.
Featuring two pieces, including a full-length robe and matching nightie, the Maud Sherwood sleepwear range is crafted in soft modal fabric, detailed with kimono-inspired sleeves.
“The silhouette, palette and fabric were all considered in relation to the painting. We’re delighted that the range reflects the spirit of Sherwood’s work, while creating something contemporary that people can enjoy every day,” said Emma Pritchard, retail operations manager of Auckland Art Gallery.
“Maud Sherwood was a trailblazer. Her work pushed boundaries at a time when women led the way in modern art,” said Julia Waite, Curator of New Zealand Art of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
“The collaboration not only pays tribute to her legacy in New Zealand art but also harnesses the strength of Sherwood’s work, reinterpreting the vision of a modern woman for contemporary customers today,” said Waite.
The limited-edition collection launches exclusively at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki shop on October 24.
Earlier, Wallace Cotton opened its first physical store in Dunedin, continuing its national retail expansion amid sustained customer demand and a growing focus on physical retail.
