In April 2024, our parents Kate Sylvester and Wayne Conway announced that after 31 years of business, it was time for the Kate Sylvester brand to shut its doors. We, like you, were shocked. The KS brand was like our cool older sister growing up. She taught us an incredible amount about self-expression, personal style, and the value of art, craft, and design. When the closure was announced, we all felt like we were losing family.

Growing up, people always asked the same question: “Are you going to take over the family business?” Our answers were always the same: “We want to do our own thing.” As we wound down the business, we started to realise that this is our own thing. 

We saw incredible potential in Sylvester. The key design principles; timeless essentials, utilitarian features, and the balance between the masculine and feminine. We found ourselves drawn to the versatility. The ability to sell to all ages, to work as menswear, workwear, sportswear, and to include accessories. 

Our vision of Sylvester is not completely new, it’s an evolution.

You’ll see staples from Sylvester’s past, like the intarsia knit, this time with three fluffy cygnets huddled together. Paying homage to the KS swan, a nod to our mentor. Some pieces carry memories, while others draw on references that inspire us. You’ll recognise the quilted parka, to us a memory of crisp winter mornings on the sports field, Mum bundled up and cheering us on from the sidelines. 

Sylvester denim is a pillar that’s been part of our journey and one of the pieces from past collections we were able to take and adapt to our own style. The new Denim pleat trousers feature a wide-leg fit, a shared staple for us all. 

References to pop culture, art, and music have always been a favourite part of design for us. There’s this iconic image of Shelley Duvall, effortlessly wearing a red and cream striped t-shirt. Stripes are a Sylvester staple that we’ll never part from. See the stripe in a slouchy hoodie, a piece that has become a total hero in our first release. Match this with the skirt to form a set, and that’s Sylvester.

Our new logo, ‘The Huddle,’ is a circular rope with three loops illustrating three brothers, heads together with arms over shoulders. It shows us united as a family.

We’re honored to have the opportunity to follow in our parents footsteps and make what we hope will be a meaningful contribution to Aotearoa’s fashion industry. We’ve got this amazing team and we’re all working together tirelessly to bring this vision to life. We’re incredibly humbled, and insanely excited to share all of this cool stuff with you.