3 Wānaka Creatives & The Places That Inspire Them

Tell us about your brand and what sets it apart.
I’ve always had the itch to make and create, and almost always have a creative project on the go. In 2019, I got serious and knew that jewellery was something I wanted to focus on in particular.

I settled on Fruit Bowl Studio as an umbrella name for all that I make. It gives me flexibility and encompasses the eclectic and colourful nature of my work. I make jewellery, objects, prints and patterns, I sew, I’m a photographer, painter and host workshops. I’ll probably learn something new and start that too!

Fruit Bowl is an outlet unique to me; it’s about what excites me visually. I think what sets it apart is that my personality and character carries through whatever I do.

How do you define your style?
Vibrant, free-spirited and a little bit quirky with a touch of whimsy and romance.

How did you discover your love for what you do?
It’s been a process of reiteration throughout my life. The pressure to be and to choose something as a teenager and then going to art school switched that off. Later, working in an art gallery gave me the confidence that I could legitimately make things and all that mattered was that I took my work seriously. It was in this gallery too that I fell in love with jewellery and its crossover between sculpture and fashion. Once I discovered this and realised that I didn’t have to choose one medium, the floodgates opened.

Where do you go in Wānaka for inspiration or to recharge?
Outside and straight to the lake! I don’t take for granted how exceptionally privileged I am to live in a very magical place. I find being by the water instantly calms me down and I love to stroll the Millennium Track. If I’m by myself and without distraction in the great expanse of lake, sky and mountains, it doesn’t take long for my mind to clear and ideas to meld.

How would you define the relationship between the outdoors and your business?
The outdoors is an integral part of my being and lifestyle. My relationship to water, plants and flowers are a pretty consistent theme in my jewellery and art. I’m an observer. I’m constantly in appreciation of natural beauty and filing things away in my subconscious. Spending time outdoors lends itself to developing certain practicalities and leaves you with a sense of nonconformity. It doesn’t take long for this to flow through into what I make, whether it’s a shape, form or a colour combination. I don’t ever set out to capture or recreate the landscape but it certainly influences me.

Tell us about your brand and what sets it apart.
We launched the Perriam brand in October 2014. Perriam is a New Zealand-made merino wool clothing brand, crafted to be both classic and timeless. Our focus is on creating high-quality pieces that are designed to last well beyond a single season – special garments you’ll cherish and want to pass down. Our range includes clothing for women, men, children, and babies.

Over the past ten years we have established ourselves as a brand that cares. We care for our local industry, being NZ made, and we care about the planet. Using a 100% natural, renewable fibre is our passion and we want to educate people about its magical properties and encourage people to choose wool.

Growing up on Bendigo Station in Central Otago, just 30 minutes from Wānaka, I was surrounded by the wonders of merino wool. I've always been drawn to this incredible fibre because of its natural qualities and durability.

How do you define your style?
My style is classic with a modern twist – timeless designs reimagined for today’s world. Perriam isn’t about trends and what’s new, but rather slow fashion and creating long-lasting pieces that are timeless and will never date.

How did you discover your love for what you do?
As I grew up on a merino sheep property, everything was about merino wool and the high country the sheep grow on. However, I think the real reason I went on to do what I do is that my mother Heather owned The Merino Shop at the Tarras Village. As a small child I would spend many hours with her in this shop after school helping and watching her with the customers and how amazing she was. I loved the retail side of the building but I also loved seeing her create unique jerseys for the tourists. It was my parents' passion to educate and sell merino wool products to tourists passing by and without a doubt this is the reason I went on to study fashion and create the Perriam brand.

Where do you go in Wānaka for inspiration or to recharge?
I love walking around the lake; it helps clear my mind. Being out in nature is breathtaking, and it always brings a moment of reflection and gratitude for living in such an amazing place.

How would you define the relationship between the outdoors and your business?
We make merino wool clothing, and one of its most incredible qualities is its ability to keep you warm – a must in Wānaka! Our knitwear is designed not only to provide warmth but also to give you an elevated, elegant look. It's a win-win. Many tourists come here to experience the outdoors, so we believe that by selling Perriam products to them, they get to stay warm as well as take home a New Zealand-made product, which is so important to us as a brand.

Tell us about your brand and what sets it apart.
I established The Workroom in 2016 in Wānaka, New Zealand, but its beginnings trace back to a sun-drenched veranda of an Italian vineyard. While admiring the story-filled style of the villa around me, I knew I had to bring that sense of timeless, considered design back to the wild beauty of my adopted hometown. With over 15 years of experience in interiors, I gathered a team of like-minded design experts who shared my passion, and together we built a studio focused on creating spaces tailored to each client’s unique needs.

What I believe sets The Workroom apart is the wide range of services we offer under one roof – a true one-stop design shop. From custom interiors and furniture to our curated collections, we provide a seamless experience that’s designed to transform not just a space, but the way you feel in it. From the moment you walk into our shop to the lasting impact of our designs, everything we do is about bringing beauty, functionality, and soul to every project.

How do you define your style?
European, timeless, eclectic.

How did you discover your love for what you do?
I’ve always had a love for interiors, even as a kid. I was drawn to how spaces could feel, how they could reflect personality and tell a story. That curiosity led me to study interior design, where I could turn that passion into something more. Travelling has also played a big role in shaping my approach – seeing different cultures, styles, and how people live in various parts of the world has been incredibly influential. It’s through these experiences that I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for design and how it can transform the feeling of a space.

Where do you go in Wānaka for inspiration or to recharge?
Ah, the mountains – that’s where I really go to recharge. The vastness and raw beauty of the landscape provide a sense of peace and perspective that's hard to beat. But aside from the mountains, I also draw a lot of inspiration from my clients. Wānaka may be small, but it’s full of amazing people and incredible homes. The variety of designs and ideas I encounter here keeps me energised and constantly inspired. It’s like being part of a creative community in this beautiful little bubble.

How would you define the relationship between the outdoors and your business?
My relationship with the outdoors is at the heart of my business. The colour palette I use is inspired by nature, reflecting the dramatic changes of the seasons. From the fresh greens of spring to the warm tones of autumn, each product captures the beauty of the natural world, helping bring the outdoors inside and connecting people to the ever-changing environment around them.