Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

For husband-and-wife team Dan and Emma Johnstone, design has always run deep within their blood, Dan with a background in graphics and Emma in fashion. So like all great things it was inevitable they would join forces. Their creation is the newly founded label Falvé (Emma’s maiden name).
   Although a young label, having just formed in the latter part of 2012, the idea of doing a menswear brand was always something the pair was dreaming about when they had met years earlier. Their focus was to design a range that men needed, something else in the market that was not only well designed but also affordable.
   Their freshmen autumn–winter range of T-shirts, tailored shirts and chinos with a carefully curated accessories’ line of bow ties, matching pocket squares, leather card holders and wallets is not only well edited but also beautifully handcrafted, something that is often lacking in emerging labels. Other pieces will be added along the way as the brand grows.
   The attention to detail is evident in the high-quality finishing of the garments, beautiful top-stitching on their shirts, individually hand-sewn buttons, removable collar stays for all their shirting, and bias-bound seaming on all tailored trousers. Old-world tailoring techniques refined for a modern age. From the carefully selected fabric choices to the swing tags, everything about this brand speaks of a casual elegance perfect for any generation to wear, as evident from the wide range of guests that attended the intimate showing at the pair’s workroom.
   Favourites from the collection were the Collectors shirt, a classic white shirt in a fine cotton shirting with herringbone pattern, and all French-seamed. The Transmission T-shirt is another favourite, crafted from the finest Tencel; the Missoni-like zig-zag print is not only gorgeous to touch but out-there enough for even those who are not so brave. The Chalmers trousers are also a must-have in your wardrobe, fashioned from a cherry red cotton spandex. These are beautifully cut for the fashion-conscious, not too slim and not too wide—it is the perfect relaxed cut for either dressing up with one of the label’s shirts or dressing down with a casual T. The bias-bound seaming on the cuff of the trouser is a little clever touch: when the cuff is folded up, no horrible over-locking is seen, an interesting take on the roll-up cuff.
   The collection is well priced with accessories such as pocket squares and bow ties ranging from NZ$25 to NZ$51. T-shirts start at NZ$76 and shirts from NZ$190.
   Falvé also creates beautiful leather cardholders and wallets, all hand-made and hand-stitched by Dan in their small workroom.
   The level of design, attention to detailing and fashion-forward pieces should appeal to a wide market. Their passion is evident; if the duo keeps this up, a bright future is most definitely on the horizon for them.
   Falvé can be purchased online through www.falve.co.nz.—Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor









Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography