Brenda Woods

“The colour name Resene Aviator and the 75th anniversary of Resene being founded in 1946 both made me think of WWII when designing.

I was particularly inspired by the Soviet ‘Night Witches’ – who were female military pilots from Russia’s 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, led by Major Marina Raskova and filled with hundreds of Russian women who wanted to fight but weren’t allowed in the Soviet Air Force.

These women were given out of date biplanes that could easily burst into flames if struck by a bullet and would risk their lives flying out in the middle of the night to bomb Germany.

I wanted my look to take influence from 1940s fashion, with structured shoulders, belt loops and trousers to represent traditionally masculine elements that had started to appear in women’s clothing. The decorative spine down the back represents how the women of WWII held their own alongside the men and stuck up for themselves.“  

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2021

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