A mid-morning visit to the Sylvester HQ feels a little like stepping backstage.
When I arrived on a Tuesday, the team was midway through packing up to move into a new home. The lofty, industrial space was alive with movement – towering racks stretched up towards the high ceilings, boxes of fabric and clothing were scattered across the office floor, and half-packed rails hinted at the creative chaos that comes with change.
Amid the bustle, I was guided to a quiet corner where the team had carved out a temporary filming spot. One by one, the Sylvester crew unzipped their work bags to reveal the personal essentials that get them through the day.
Shereen, Design Team
First up was Shereen from the design team. Her bag of choice was a soon-to-be-released quilted style from the upcoming Wings collection – roomy, durable and effortlessly chic. Exactly what you’d expect from a work bag destined to become a staple.
Inside were all the essentials: her phone, a Sylvester diary and a Sylvester clutch bag. The clutch revealed a surprisingly practical item – a pair of socks. “The ballet flat girlies will understand,” she laughs.
Her keys were adorned with a sweet Miffy key charm gifted by a former colleague, while a pair of Kate Sylvester archive sunglasses – recently snapped up at a sale – sat tucked inside. Shereen admitted they’ll need a little altering to properly fit her face, but she simply couldn’t part with the iconic shape and style.
Next came a perfectly polka-dotted wallet. Inside? Her passport – because she doesn’t drive – and, unexpectedly, a lock of her partner Cosmo’s hair. “He cut it recently and I just couldn’t let go yet,” she explains.
A Kate Sylvester pouch rounded things out, packed with beauty essentials including her everyday perfume: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake.
Janae – National Retail Manager
Next it was Janae’s turn to get unzipped.
Her bag of choice could easily be mistaken for a small animal – a furry Sylvester shoulder bag finished with a dainty black bow. Janae explains it’s from an older season, but such a hit around the office that the team is planning to recreate it for an upcoming collection.
Inside was a Yeti drink bottle for work day hydration, followed by a Sylvester Huddle clutch holding her beauty “bits.” A Kate Sylvester wallet made an appearance alongside a bright red Sylvester cardigan that’s become an “on-hand staple” during these unpredictable weather days.
Next up were Kate Sylvester sunglasses and the book she’s currently reading – The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield.
A petite cowhide pouch picked up during a trip to Mexico revealed her perfume (a Curionoir fragrance) and a delicate silver Sylvester necklace, tucked away just in case. An Aesop hand cream followed, along with a small beige notebook and pen.
Cosmo, Design & Customer Management
Last but certainly not least, we unzipped Cosmo, who works across design and customer management. “I’m the one who answers the emails,” he jokes.
Cosmo is also the youngest of the Conway boys – his mum being none other than Kate Sylvester. His bag of choice is a slouchy Kate Sylvester design that he actually designed himself while studying at uni.
Inside were the expected workday essentials: a laptop adorned with a Sylvester sticker, a large diary and a pair of headphones. Alongside them he pulled out a bright neon pink iPod – the kind many of us would have coveted back in the day.
Turns out this one has history. Cosmo recently rediscovered the iPod that was once used in Kate Sylvester stores to play shop music. It holds over 15 years of playlists, and he’s been plugging in and revisiting them lately.
The rest of the contents were a familiar mix: a wallet, tangled charging cables, sunglasses and a toiletry bag. Then came one final item – a photo of his partner Shereen. Comedic, cute and, apparently, essential.
What’s Next: The Wings Collection
After unzipping the team, our attention turned to what’s next for Sylvester – the upcoming Wings collection.
The collection draws inspiration from Wim Wenders’ 1987 film Wings of Desire. The team were particularly drawn to the romantic contrast between the film’s angelic themes and the gritty urban backdrop of Berlin. Much like the film itself – which shifts from black-and-white to colour to highlight the beauty of life – the collection explores the power of juxtaposition.
The moody soundtrack and memorable Nick Cave cameo also left their mark on the mood of the season.
Austere urban suiting is a standout in the collection. The storm flaps on the Immortal Coat evolved from the concept of wings, while a fur-collared flight jacket captures the spirit of 1980s Berlin.
Another exciting addition to the Wings collection is a collaboration with Davaar Knitwear. These pieces are spun and knitted in New Zealand using wool from the Davaar sheep station. The Sylvester touch comes through in a signature red stripe – bringing rural craftsmanship into conversation with the brand’s urban aesthetic.
The result is a collection that feels both grounded and romantic – much like the film that inspired it.
Explore the latest and await the Wings collection from Sylvester HERE
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