It is a funny thing to ask how one brand can rise to the top of every ‘It’ girl’s wish list over others. Or, to try and decipher why one particular pair of straight, blue, high-rise jeans are more sought-after than others of a similar variety. There’s really no answer, other than the fact that certain brands have the ‘X Factor’ — something that exists as much for labels as it does for the status of those wearing them. One brand that exemplifies this idea is Khaite and now, thanks to Muse, it’s never been easier for us to get our hands on a piece from its covetable collections.
Launched in New York in 2016 by Creative Director Catherine Holstein, Khaite made a swift and significant impact for the ways in which its collections played with contrast, bringing different elements into superb harmony and creating looks that felt considered, versatile and above all, chic. Khaite marries classic cuts with contemporary details and feminine ideas with masculine shapes. It is strength with softness, structure with fluidity, and sensuality with ease. In fact, it has become one of the most sought-after labels to come out of New York in the last decade, its purposeful and delicate design language delivering ‘X-Factor’ in spades, and even seeing some of its pieces (read: Katie Holmes’ iconic knitted bra) garner hefty wait-lists.
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And while our appreciation for Khaite has largely grown from wistfully watching the brand from afar, its cult-favourite pieces are now, for the very first time, available to buy in New Zealand — exclusively from Muse.
“We are so excited about this label,” Olivia Vincent Healy, Director of Muse, tells me, “Khaite’s timeless collections are just what we want to wear every day, the silhouettes are modern but are so easy to move in, from perfect denim to immaculate tailoring.” Marking Khaite’s debut in this market, its induction into Muse’s impressive stable of luxury brands is a boon for those who appreciate the value of timeless design and high-quality pieces.
As far as what to expect from this highly-anticipated first drop, Olivia explains that the line-up will include a curation of Khaite’s iconic staples, mixed with a few showstopping accessories and shoes we will want to wear all winter. “The Danielle jean is a style I have had for years,” she explains, “and it is so flattering and so comfortable, with a chic black and gold button that offers a more elevated look when a shirt or sweatshirt is tucked in.” Other notable additions include the eye-popping Olivia bag in bright red, and the Davis boots — a recurring style favoured by fashion’s cognoscenti.
“Not only is Khaite such a good base label for our customers to layer with and style to their own individual tastes,” Olivia continues, “but the accessories work perfectly when paired with our other gorgeous brands.” Ultimately, Khaite’s arrival into the New Zealand market is an indication of our ever-maturing tastes. Slowly but surely, local purveyors of luxury fashion (a cohort of which Vincent and Muse are indisputably at the forefront) are answering our desire for investment pieces that are not only sleek and wearable, but are premium quality, and that allow us to build truly timeless wardrobes that last well beyond a single season.
Here, we round up our picks from the Khaite collection that has just landed at Muse. (We suggest getting in fast if you want to snap up a piece for yourself.)
from Muse
