made for sharing / Hercules and Georgie Noble
As we strive to minimise our footprint on the land, the idea of multi-wear between lovers, partners, family and friends is one we cherish. At the heart of our Kiri collection is our Made for Sharing philosophy. We believe the test of a quality knit is one that can be shared and enjoyed by everyone.
To celebrate the launch of this seasons iterations, we spoke with three households on what a shared life means to them.
Photographed in their creative, sun drenched family home by Rob Tennent, we talk with chef Hercules Noble and his mother Georgie on meaningful places, living in a family of creatives, and their shared love of simple, well made clothing.
Do you share wardrobes with each other?
We used to, when I was younger and mum and I could fit into the same size clothing. Although, mum does often wear a few of my t-shirts. Now that that I think about it, we do actually have a few matching items. She’s always looking in the men’s section of shops too. I always remember her saying she liked men’s clothing more than women’s.
Clothing that’s made for everyone – what does that look like to you?
Obviously nothing that is designed to show off a particular sex’s body. I’m talking hot pants and tight tight tank tops. If that makes sense?! But if a man wants to wear those clothes then I’m not opposed at all. Go him! I’d say simple items of clothing that are properly cut. It’s amazing when you see two people with similar enough body types, both wearing simple clothes, but ones wearing a nicely made and properly cut to shape while the others wearing something out of china. It’s actually funny that while I’m writing this I’m wearing my Common Project shoes, striped Paul Smith socks, my favourite Comme de Garçon square trousers and the Standard Issue Kiri long sleeve. Basically the core of my wardrobe. And now that I think about it, my mum has each one of those items in her size. It’s just really basic stuff.
There’s a subliminal mutual influence that comes with sharing a home, closeness or life together. How do you think you indirectly influence each other?
Well, being a family of creatives in different professions, it is really great having a valued second opinion of everything. I feel like my parents have very high standards when it comes to most things. But I don’t feel it stems from arrogance. I feel it’s more to do with trying to find beauty in every aspect of life. Dad always said something like “there must be beauty in everything you do.” That can vary from anything to Dads classical architecture, my serving of food, how you present yourself, to how you cut a cake. When you cut a birthday cake you do it nicely. So I’m just constantly trying to remind myself of that.
What would you say is the most important thing you share together?
We share Brodie’s, our piece of land up north on the Karikari peninsula. It’s a very meaningful place to the whole family. It’s where we all spend the most time together. It’s very secluded, so we’re forced to cut ourselves off and really enjoy one another’s company.
In an ever increasing world of ‘busy’ how do you stay connected to one another?
By spending time at Brodie’s. We spend time together while working on our surroundings. Brodie’s is a work in progress so there’s always work to be done. We live out of shipping containers. We each have our own. And when it comes to working on them, mums interior design expertise is maximised. We go shopping for fabrics or other materials to line the inside of the container or to make curtains etc.
