Erika Achilles-Dunseath from Anyone’s Daughter. Image supplied.
Erika Achilles-Dunseath is the creative director and founder of modern womenswear label Anyone’s Daughter which she founded in 2006. Anyone’s Daughter is based in Tauranga and proudly New Zealand made with stockists around the country along with a thriving online store. Erika had previously worked for other NZ fashion brands before taking the leap to create her own label and she documented her journey and what she’s learned along the way in a book called Rules + Rebels that was released in late 2019.
We caught up with Erika to find out more about her brand, what inspires her and what you would never catch her wearing!
Tell us about your latest collection?
Anyone’s Daughter is a boutique fashion brand for women who live a busy modern life. Whether you have an important meeting, are picking the kids up from school or catching up with friends for drinks, it’s all about looking and feeling amazing.
Our new season collection “ROCK THE PARK” is available in stores and online now. Shot in the Tropical Display House in Tauranga, this range is full of fun prints and textural contrasts making a statement for warmer days ahead. Anyone’s Daughter is proudly made in NZ.
What made you become a designer?
Anyone’s Daughter started in a moment of postnatal madness back in 2006 but I always knew I’d have some kind of creative career. As a teen I loved sewing and reinventing op shop and chain store finds and I never wore the correct school uniform. This eventually led to dropping out of school to study fashion at the local polytechnic and I never looked back.
Looks from Anyone’s Daughter’s ROCK THE PARK collection.
What inspires you?
As a creative, inspiration comes from everywhere. It could be fabric colours and textures. It could be a movie or music playing in the background while I work. It could be as simple as taking a walk, a cup of tea, a glass of wine and people watching. I find myself gravitating towards women who play by their own rules and clothes that feel daring but still wearable. This is why I love a good print.
Describe your personal style and how it influences your designs?
Anyone’s Daughter is feminine with a street smart edge. I love wearing my own label, sometimes mixed with a few old favourites and some op shop finds. My personal style is usually a little bit NZ beach meets grunge, fitting my Bay of Plenty roots, not always the glam image of fashion industry success.
What is your all-time favourite purchase?
A leather jacket.
What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?
Quality fabrics and clever designs. Items that can be worn and loved season after season.
Do you have a style rule you always obey?
If you love it, wear it. Wear things that make you look great and feel confident.
Looks from Anyone’s Daughter’s ROCK THE PARK collection.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Trade shows in the USA, publishing my book Rules + Rebels (a book about my fashion business journey) and making money doing what I love. And it’s always such a buzz to see people wearing their favourite Anyone’s Daughter pieces in their own way. Fashion is all about creativity and reinvention. Every day is a different part of the creative process and every season I get to reinvent myself and my business into something I am really proud of. And it’s an ongoing process.
What can’t you live without?
Family, friends, good food, wine and travel. Often enjoyed together.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Crocs.
Images supplied.