Florence Kowhai Cunningham Weir was a Bauhaus trained New Zealand interior architect and a pioneer of Modernist homewares.
She was quite possibly the only New Zealander to have studied at the Bauhaus workshops in Germany, spending six months there on a post-graduate visit in 1926.
Born in Christchurch in 1899, she spent most of her life in the UK where she became a successful interior architect and home-ware designer.
She also worked as a textile designer and worked alongside Frances Hodgkins.
Today there is an exhibition starting to celebrate the launch of new ceramics by Florence Weir.
Florence & Friends features home-wares and artworks by Kirsten Dryburgh, Steve Lovett, Emma Fitts, George Hamilton, Erica van Zon, Gavin Hurley, Hannah Upritchard, Christopher Duncan, Greta Grossman, Kirstin Carlin and Kristy Gorman.
Upstairs at Flotsam & Jetsam, 84 Ponsonby Road, Auckland. The exhibition will be open daily until Sunday 11 October.
Founder Murray Crane caught up with Awling and discussed all things menswear, New Zealand’s approach to it and why he’s so fond of handcrafted goods. Read a shortened copy below or visit Awling to read to full interview. Hi Murray, thanks for finding some time to speak to us. Let’s start with getting some background on yourself. Where...
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Sometimes, a design marries form and function so well that it essentially can’t be improved upon. So it is with the pea coat, a contemporary menswear staple that still manages to look peerlessly stylish despite being almost entirely unchanged since the early 1700s. Featuring a double-breasted six- or eight-button closure, an a-line shape finishing just...
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Welcome back Farheen. What do you do at Crane Brothers? I have joined back as Office Administrator in Head Office. Essentially I take care of the staff and their wellbeing, ensuring there are smooth processes for each department, and oversee invoicing and accounts. The role is very diverse. Since I was at Crane Brothers previously...
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