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]
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]
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]
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]