Ahipao — Cashmere fashion label brand identity

Ahipao is a cashmere knitwear label that produces its garments on the shores of Matiatia Harbour, on Waiheke Island. As a new company, they required a complete identity system, with applications rolled out across every aspect of the business.

With the premises being in such a beautiful setting, and on sacred iwi land, the branding was conceptualized around the importance of place. Along with the name 'Ahipao', the local iwi also gifted the poem 'this is the land, this is the sea, this is me'. Inspiration was taken from the meeting point of land and sea, and the subsequent corrosion of elements that occur over time from the turning of the waves. All the letterforms were smoothed and rounded, and contained within a pebble like that found down on the Matiatia shoreline. The soft color palette of pebble grey and sea green are suitable to sit alongside the natural fabrics of cashmere whilst also being evocative of the surrounding environment.

The result is a clean logo mark that is simple yet distinctive and pays homage to the beautiful landscape as well as evoking aspects of the soft natural fabrics of cashmere.