Colin Desmond Cole (1 February 1931 – June 1987) was a New Zealand fashion designer, active from the 1950s to 1980s. Cole was born in

Rotorua Rotorua () is a city in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. It is sited on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, from which it takes its name. It is the seat of the Rotorua Lakes District, a territorial authorities of New Zea ...

in 1931, the son of Howard and Whylma Cole; his mother was a seamstress and pattern maker. He attended Dilworth School in

Auckland Auckland ( ; ) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and ...

. After a short lived job in the post office in Rotorua he began his career in fashion as a pattern cutter and apprentice designer for two dress making companies in Auckland, F.M. King and Classic Manufacturing. He then designed children's clothes for manufacturer Poppetware. In 1958 he set up his own business opening a boutique in Karangahape Rd before moving to Queen St and finally Parnell where his boutique was called The Establishment. Cole designed uniforms for different organisations and groups. In 1967 he designed new uniforms in wool gaberdine for female rail staff and a National Bank uniform in 1970. Uniforms made of wool donated by the Wool Board were designed for the University of Auckland Festival Choir in 1972 for their overseas tour. Cole exhibited and sold garments outside New Zealand: at the Commonwealth fashion show in 1967, and in

Muscat Muscat (, ) is the capital and most populous city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the population of the Muscat Governorate in 2022 was 1.72 million. ...

, Oman in 1986. His dresses were also worn by well-known women such as opera singer

Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Jeanette Claire Te Kanawa (; born Claire Mary Teresa Rawstron, 6 March 1944) is a New Zealand opera singer. She had a full lyric soprano voice, which has been described as "mellow yet vibrant, warm, ample and unforced". On 1 December ...

. In 1968 one of his dresses was worn by Christine Antunovic representing New Zealand at the

Miss Universe Miss Universe is an annual international major beauty pageant that is run by a Thailand and Mexican-based Miss Universe Organization.Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015"Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel". ''The Wall Stree ...

contest. Lady Reeves, wife of Governor General Sir

Paul Reeves Sir Paul Alfred Reeves (6 December 1932 – 14 August 2011) was a New Zealand clergyman who served as the 15th governor-general of New Zealand from 1985 to 1990 and as Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand from 1980 to 1985. He was the first ...

, wore dresses designed by Cole at her husband's investiture and diplomatic reception in 1985. Garments by Cole were collected by farmer and fashion collector Eden Hore. Cole was influenced by

Christian Dior Christian Ernest Dior (; 21 January 1905 – 24 October 1957) was a French fashion designer and founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, Dior, Christian Dior SE. His fashion house is known all around the world, having gained promi ...

's work to take up a career in fashion design. He was known for his bespoke evening dresses, ball gowns, debutante gowns, and smart daywear. He specialised in personalised service and interaction with customers. "In 1983, he said his aim as a designer was to bring to New Zealand women the truth about line and designs expressed in international fashion."

Personal life

Cole and his wife Mairehau had eight daughters. One of his daughters, Lissy Robinson-Cole, is also a fashion designer who is known for creating crochet sculpture with her husband Rudi Robinson-Cole. Cole died in June 1987 in

Green Lane Hospital Green Lane Hospital may refer to: * Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand * Green Lane Hospital, Wiltshire, England {{disambiguation ...

after heart surgery.

References

External links

Iridescent pink print evening dress

Long dress with flocked rose motifs

Colin Cole at the New Zealand Fashion Museum

Colin Cole at MOTAT
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cole, Colin New Zealand fashion designers 1931 births 1987 deaths People educated at Dilworth School People from Rotorua