Kimberly Ramsey takes a very tactile and textile-based approach to fashion design. “What makes my designs unique is the involvement of hand-felting within my design process,” she says. “I work with raw merino wool fibre, and love exploring how versatile it can be.” 

She made the decision to study design at Otago Polytechnic as fashion and textiles was her favourite subject at school. The Bachelor of Design in Fashion (Hons) culminated in her showcasing her work at both the iD Fashion Week in Dunedin, and at the New Zealand Fashion Week. However, there were other highlights as well. She also thoroughly enjoyed two student exchanges in Shanghai, China. 

The first exchange was a four-week summer school exchange at Donhua University. “I was in a class with other fashion students from all over the world, including students from Central Saint Martins in London,” she says. “My second exchange involved me showing my graduate collection in a fashion show and location photo shoot in the city.” 

Currently working in Wellington for a small locally-made women’s wear label, Kimberly is excited about what the future holds. She plans to end up working in the wool apparel industry either in New Zealand or overseas.

I’m currently saving to head over to Europe. I hope to further my knowledge by exploring the wool industry over in Italy, Scotland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.