Family and fashion go hand in hand for Jenny Drury and Brenda Wilkinson. The creative minds behind Ketz-ke have gone global since the inception of their much-loved clothing brand in 2006. After more than ten successful years, the sisters decided to add another sibling to the fashion family: Ketz-ke’s sister brand, LEO+BE. The pair moved here over 20 years ago and are living the dream of being based on the Shore for work and home - Brenda in Takapuna, near their business's office, and Jenny in the Bays.
Here, brand founder and designer Jenny chats exclusively to Channel’s Heather Vermeer about building the business, the joys of Shore life, and working side-by-side with her sibling...
Heather Vermeer: How has the business expanded since the last time you chatted to Channel in 2011?
Jenny Drury: This August, we launched a younger sister brand to Ketz-ke, LEO+BE! It was the logical next step for us. We saw a space in the market to cater to the younger fashion lover who is interested in trendsetting, affordable styles that are easily intermixed with her current wardrobe.
Whilst LEO+BE is a younger sister to Ketz-ke, the two have very separate identities. LEO+BE has its own unique, playful styling, a gentle, pastel toned palette, and for the majority, a different customer.
HV: Have you always lived on the Shore?
JD: We grew up in Cambridge in a family of four girls – funnily enough our two other sisters became school teachers, whilst Brenda and I went into fashion.
After our respective time travelling the globe, Brenda and I both moved to the North Shore and have worked in the rag trade ever since. Brenda lives a five-minute drive from the office so there is no excuse for either of us to use traffic as an excuse for being late! Between us, we have explored all aspects of the fashion world - from working on the shop floor, to being on the road as sales reps, to designing collections. We both have a keen eye and passion for designing clothes that we know New Zealand women and girls will love to wear.
HV: What are the positives and the negatives of working together?
JD: Brenda and I are not only great friends who share a love for design and fashion, we are sisters! I own the business, however we both lead the design. Every part of our process is collaborative - from the drawing board, to travelling the world to source fabrics, to how we market the range for our retailers. As sisters, we have the advantage of being able to argue until we get the best result!
HV: How do your styles differ?
JD: We both have very similar style - maybe it’s a sister thing! I’d like to think we are both able to predict upcoming trends, but we allow our personalities to shine through in the way that we dress. Perhaps my style could be described as more classic, while Brenda’s tends to be a bit edgier.
HV: If you had to save only one item from your wardrobe, what would it be?
JD: Personally, I don’t find myself becoming attached to any particular item. I am constantly after new and fresh styles, updating my wardrobe every season.
My current favourite outfit is the LEO+BE Margot Top from the spring collection paired with the ever-so comfy Sienna Pant. Brenda’s ‘go to’ is the fabulous Zoe Dungarees layered on the Blake Shirt.
HV: Who would you most like to see wearing LEO+BE?
JD: A cool, carefree, easy going girl, who is confident in her own style. She is a style leader rather than a follower, and always has her finger on the pulse - be it fashion, art, music or culture.
HV: Where did the inspiration for the new brand from?
JD: LEO+BE draws inspiration from musings past and present - daydreams, travels and modern adventures creating ready to wear styles that are confident, distinctive and versatile.
HV: Why do you love the Shore?
JD: I love the beaches of the Shore and I am lucky enough to have my office just a few steps away from the beach. The Shore has a lovely relaxed, outdoorsy vibe about it.
HV: Who takes the longest to get dressed and ready for going out?
JD: Both Brenda and I get ready very quickly. We know this from travelling overseas and rooming together so much. We are both decisive and never procrastinate about what to put together. I think this is also a great contributor in putting collections together as we know what looks good and what works well as an outfit.
