Moss Design is mother-daughter duo Gabrielle O’Malley and Bridget O’Malley. They create clothing that can be worn by nearly anyone, and they do quite mean it with their size range starting at a size 8 and finishing at a size 26. Democratic indeed. I talk to Bridget O’Malley about who she and Gabrielle are designing for, what they love about this season, and their own favourite pieces in the collection.

What is your winter collection 2014 called?

Our winter 2014 collection like all of our collections has no name. We are constantly trying to come up with a theme or a title for our ranges but we don’t ever seem to agree on one. Which is unusual as we agree on most things.  Our process of designing our collections starts in a far more random way than a theme. We are all about what we love and what we want to have in our wardrobes. We are not the kind of people who recreate themselves seasonally and start all over again. We are all about refining and evolving rather than reinvention. For us fashion is all about enhancing the person and their personality. It has to look ‘like them’. Not in a way that is homely or predictable but more in a way that ensures they can be themselves – an even better presented version of themselves.  I am definitely not a slave to fashion – I want to look a certain way and feel a certain way and fashion helps me to achieve this. Clothes should showcase the person not the person showcase the clothes.

What inspired you this year?

Lines and angles

You always have such great pieces that can be worn everyday with everything, why do you think that is?

Because we really want our Moss wearers to embrace the idea that less is more. We are all about having a wardrobe full of a few fantastic pieces that get worn and worn, that we feel amazing in rather than having lots of clothes that get worn only once. For example our trousers have a real following because they fit beautifully and are comfortable and work back with nearly everything in the collections. We also understand that getting the under layers right makes the final look so much better so we always have a fitting merino undergarment  and a cotton voile slip to go under dresses and silks.

What are your favorite pieces from the collection and which ones will you be wearing yourselves?

Bridget: I love the Hopeless Wanderer Coat in Black Wool with Merino Rib sleeves and the Daydreamer Overdress
Gabrielle: I am wearing the Pedestal Trousers in Olive Cotton and also in Black Suiting and the Whispers in the Dark Dress in Ink. I have also loved my Wandering Star Cape

What does the Moss Woman look like?  Who are you designing for?

Our Moss woman loves to look great. She is someone who loves quality and doesn’t want to look like everyone else. She is interesting and intelligent and needs her wardrobe to work with her lifestyle. 

You can view their winter collection online here or if you are in Auckland, visit The Mill House. You can also follow them on Facebook…