Women We Love - Local Sage

Kate Megaw is the creative force behind Penny Sage, a cult clothing labelbeloved by stylish women who dress to please themselves

- Sally Conor

It could be called a style crush – that feeling you get when you see a woman who looks cool, elegant, comfortable and a little mysterious, and leaves you wondering, “Where did she get that jumper/top/ dress?” The chances are high that your crush is wearing Penny Sage.

Since 2011, this under-the-radar clothing label has been gaining a devoted following among creative, independent women in New Zealand and overseas. The talent, the vision and the business brain behind Penny is Kate Megaw, a designer who hails from Taihape but now calls Auckland home.

After getting her start as a designer for Miss Crabb, Kate now dreams, designs and sells her collections from her Grey Lynn studio. Everything she designs is made by locally owned, family businesses and this commitment to quality and craftsmanship is key to the Penny Sage aesthetic. These values shine through in Kate’s clothes, which are clean, simple and sophisticated but often with a twist, such as an unexpected detail, choice of pattern or a fabric that could only be Penny Sage.

We visited Kate in her studio and talked to her about fashion, inspiration and where she goes to recharge.

When did you start Penny Sage and what inspired you to take the leap?