New Zealand-native Karen Walker delighted the crowd at New York Fashion Week last September with a vibrant, breezy collection inspired by cult 1960s British television show The Prisoner (think navy blazers, tan chinos and stripy t‐shirts and chiffon dresses).

Known for her signature prints and polished, yet girly frocks, Walker has quickly established a reputation as a designer who makes clothes for people passionate about fashion — and clothes that people want to wear and show off over and over again. So it’s no surprise that the designer’s list of “things that never go out of style” is a collection of people, places and items that are quirky, yet grounded… sort of like the beautiful garments she unveils to her waiting audiences each and every year.

Here is Karen Walker’s top-ten list of “things that never go out of style:”

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox – I took my 2-year-old to it –- her first movie –- and loved it
2. Aesop Facial Scrub
3. Bethell’s Café in the sand dunes at Bethell’s Beach in Auckland, New Zealand
4. My new handmade cashmere blanket that my brother-in-law gave me for my birthday
5. My daughter, Valentina
6. Bob Dylan
7. John Cooper Clark
8. My home made banana and blueberry friands
9. Dr. Seuss
10. Polka dots

Walker’s latest project is “THE DEPARTMENT STORE” — a conceptual co-operative retail space in Auckland, New Zealand curated with fellow New Zealand design aficionados. The three-level store is a chic multi-dimensional shopping space that is part boutique, part gift shop, part beauty bar and part cafe. Check out karenwalker.com for details on “THE DEPARTMENT STORE” and for more information on the designer’s clothing, eyewear and jewelry collections.

(photo by Guy Coombes)

- TC