About Us

The Unexpected Edge

Obi’s contemporary, thoughtful and intelligent design is infused with a unexpected edginess which embraces the awakening sense of self. The Obi woman speaks with her inner voice. Understated sophistication is the hallmark of the Obi woman with fabrics, textures and hues that draw from very nature itself

Jon Dyball

Jon Dyball joined the High Society Design Team as the Catalyst Designer in September 2010. Jon comes to High Society with 20 years experience, across the clothing industry’s spectrum, from patternmaking and production through design, in both men’s and women’s wear. Jon’s career began in menswear, where he spent eleven years mastering fine tailoring.

Eventually, with a need to expand his creative abilities, Jon delved head first into a new creative dimension, entering the “wonderful world of women’s wear”! Jon’s unique “handwriting” is playful and clever. Full of interesting elements and texture and using quality fabrications, his work fits perfectly into the High Society way of thinking.

Not to be grounded by life’s rules and regulations, Jon sees outside the square and happily explores the use of unconventional and unexpected design elements.

Jon is a very welcome addition to the HSL Design Team and his appointment has brought a freshness and highly creative skill base that will maintain HSL’s position as a frontrunner on the New Zealand fashion scene.

 

 

OBI WINTER 2012 - "INTO THE FOLD"


The Obi W12 Collection welcomes you back ‘Into The Fold’. Using Japanese origami as its inspiration, this considered, intelligent collection looks with fresh eyes on who the Obi wearer is, and the life she leads.  Beautiful textured fabrics run through the collection in colours borrowed from the land, sea and sky. Subdued yet stylised prints, are enlivened with bursts of blood orange, chartreuse green and shiraz red for impact.  Ponte is the pivotal fabric for W12 with plain, coloured, printed and textured versions on offer.  The Obi wearer selects her wardrobe with the discretion, so we used only natural leather as the ultimate finishing touch.  The lines are cleaner, and shapes are simpler - as tailored shapes take centre stage –think a little bit ‘Kate Middleton’. Dresses with sleeves also play a key role, teamed with edgy styling in wool and wool blends.  Coats and jackets add warmth for winter with a fantastic range on offer. From easy throw-on textured jackets great for weekend wear – to structured, fully lined full length coats to take on the winter elements. Available for a early  delivery to meet your occassion wear demends - is the gorgeous “Into the Mist” collection of wedding separates featuring two stunning exclusive prints.  

 

At a glance:

 

KEY LOOKS

 

  • More structured dressing
  • Tailored dresses with sleeves
  • More tops, less tunics
  • The return of the shirt
  • The ‘dip back’ on any style from tops to dresses

 

KEY FABRICS

  • Ponte in all guises
  • Natural leather as the finishing touch
  • Wool and wool blends
  • High impact digital prints
  • Textured fabrics to add interest 

 

KEY COLOURS                       

  • Blood Orange             
  • Shiraz Red
  • Chartreuse Green
  • Wisteria
  • Taupes, pewter and soft cream