Lorraine Hall makes things happen. In 2008, with the support of local Wairarapa cutters, machinists, screen printers and graphic designers, she established HALL – a contemporary clothing label that is synonymous with enduring style and quality.

“I want to help women avoid the frustration of not being able to find quality clothing that fits well regardless of your size,” she said. “So many clothes now are disposable – they shrink, go out of shape or fall apart – you end up with a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear. That’s where HALL comes in – it fills that void.” With a passion for creating current yet timeless styles, and in sizes 8 to 24 (XXS - 4XL) – HALL not only tailors for the petit figue but covers a fashionable full range to suit more women with curves. This has been a big factor in the growing success of the HALL label.

Coming from the Wairarapa – a region blessed with sections of dramatic coastline, wide skies and a rich farming and wine growing heritage – it’s no wonder Lorraine draws much of her inspiration from nature. The same can be said of her inspiration for using natural fibres in her collections.

Each HALL garment is designed with longevity in mind with her ranges intended to out live the current fashion of the day. A high priority for Lorraine is sourcing natural eco friendly fabrics – such as fine merino wool sourced from high country stations in Central Otago; cotton rich, bamboo, silk, hemp linen, metal and copper as well as recycling old vintage lace into unique t-shirt embellishments.

Despite not having any formal fashion design or pattern making qualifications, Lorraine has always been creative and sewn from a young age – you could say it’s in her genes and is why she has such an eye for design and fabrication.

Her maternal great grandfather James Lloyd, one of New Zealand’s first copper plate engravers, designed the iconic “rising sun” logo that still appears on the Edmonds Baking Powder tin; her paternal grandfather Harry Hall was one of the leading music hall entertainers in Australasia; her mother had her own dressmaking business and her parents owned Hall’s Fabrics in Masterton.

Lorraine remains fiercely loyal to the local manufacturers who supported her from day one. She is determined to retain her exceptional standard of quality by keeping her garments designed and made in New Zealand – becoming a member of the Buy New Zealand Made campaign in 2009.

Eco New Zealand made designer clothing with
enduring style and quality, in sizes 8-24