Making a difference, starts with a step. One foot, then the next…

I believe it’s important to reflect on the past, not only to celebrate success, but to learn from failures and take away important lessons. Being a creative can be a journey into the unknown, and many mistakes need to be made to get you to your destination! Here in this article I share with you the good, the bad, and the opportunities gained through the year of 2020…

The Wardrobe Blog | Highlights of 2020

@thewardrobe.co.nz on Instagram | Wearing Forever New, and ASOS.

Highlights of 2020 | Achievements & Successes

I think it’s pretty safe to say that purely making it to the end of 2020 in one piece is an accomplishment and achievement for most of us. Global issues definitely made things a lot harder the past year to work in the freedom we’ve been used to. However, within this were huge opportunities too! I had a lot more down-time to create some magical photoshoots, get back to basics with the aesthetic I want to create, and the space to make it all happen! As a result I finished a number of beautiful photosets, outfits, and creations. Highlights included this article on How To: Evening Glamour, a full studio setup! Along with this super creative makeup look for My Blogging Journey: Mistakes & Lessons, and this indoor easy DIY flower wall setup for How To Start a Blog: Tips & Tricks. The highlight for me was putting together the shoot for my ‘Harvest Garland’ headpiece for Picture Perfect: The Ultimate Guide for Creators - which you can read up on here, and is featured below!

‘Harvest Garland’ photoshoot and blog post on my fashion photography process.

Highlights of 2020 | Highlights

Spending some serious down-time inside meant lots of time for us creatives to dream up wild new ideas! This was a great thing for The Wardrobe blog as it meant creating some more aesthetic focused imagery, and stepping a little away from makeup and locations in favour of lifestyle imagery for the gram! I really enjoyed getting creative with the behind the scenes photos, and sharing a little more of a visual representation of what I do in my daily life with you, such as this creative look below!

New Year Overview of 2020 | Collaborations & Features

There is so much incredible creative talent in New Zealand, we are lucky to live in such a beautiful country with beautiful people! Discovering so much fresh local talent was also the springboard for the launch of a new page promoting New Zealand creators, more on that soon… I thoroughly enjoyed creating a few different business showcase features with handmade creators and fashion designers such as Earrings by Mrs P whose work is featured below.

Above: Business Showcase with New Zealand jewellery designer Earrings by Mrs P

Highlights of 2020 | New Zealand Creators

Handmade jewellery, fashion and accessories is becoming even more popular and is another opportunity that has come out of the global crisis. More creatives are starting to bring their creations to life and promote them online, so I have also had the opportunity to work with some of them here on the blog and each one is a joy to create. I believe that art should be accessible for everyone, so I feature New Zealand creators from fashion, art and design niches on my Instagram page @nzcreators which you can follow here.

Above: I love to get creative at home, where I photograph almost all my creations!

Highlights of 2020 | Makeup Muses

Makeup Muses is an exciting feature on The Wardrobe Blog, and one that took me a pretty long time to put together. I curated a list of my favourite makeup artists locally and around the globe, that have and continue to inspire my work with their unique creations. Among them is one of my ultra muses Cayce Smit, whose style and work is incredible!

Highlights of 2020 | Pusheen Fans Unite!

Pusheen The Cat! Everyone who’s anyone knows about Pusheen the famous chubby, tubby kitty. I have featured Pusheen throughout my articles on The Wardrobe Blog, and this year I was inspired to start a fan page to celebrate, promote and share all the many talented Pusheen fans and creators like myself! There are so many talented bakers, artists, stylists, bloggers and photographers who create beautiful works of art with Pusheen, and you can check them out my Instagram page @pusheenthecatloves for more below! ♥︎

Above: My favourite official Pusheen handbag from pusheen.com

Highlights of 2020 | Fan Art & Illustrations

I was lucky enough this year to be drawn, painted and illustrated by a number of incredibly talented artists on Instagram! One of the highlights was this gorgeous digital art by Emma from Teapot. She creates beautiful digital portraits from photographs for everyone! Her work is amazing and she is a talented New Zealand creator! Check out her work below.

Highlights of 2020 | Makeup Highlights

This year, Makeup Monday took a backseat while I worked on bigger and better projects! I produced some larger scale photoshoots and looks which involved a lot of planing, all of which I share over on Instagram here. Don’t worry though, Makeup Monday will be back in 2021, bigger and better than ever! Here are a few of my favourite before and after transformations for the year of 2020 below. Which is your favourite? ♥︎

Above: My favourite makeup makeovers of 2020!

Above: Makeup Monday took a break this year, while I focused on creating new content. Featured: Jaclyn Hill Palette II

Highlights of 2020 | Fashion Collaborations

I was lucky to work with a variety of unique fashion creators and brands this year, but as a fashion blogger I feel it’s important to showcase the best of New Zealand so I tend to be pretty picky about who I work with! One of the highlights was Affinity Luxury Basics, whose exquisite tee shirts changed my perspective on tees altogether! Now they are the perfect style staple, and you can read the full article here.

Above: Business Feature with Affinity Luxury Basics, a unique New Zealand fashion label.

Highlights of 2020 | New Zealand Beauty

This year it’s more important than ever to #supportlocal so that’s exactly what I did! Throughout my platforms and across Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest I have dedicated much of my time to promoting local New Zealand designers, cafes, creators, and artisans. I believe it’s really important to promote the handmade and small businesses as this is where creativity shines. One of these highlights was being given the opportunity to capture New Zealand’s natural beauty and native forest in my collaboration with ethical fashion label ‘Axolotito’ which you can read in full, here!

Above: Business Feature of Axolotito, New Zealand ethical fashion label promoting awareness for endangered animals.

Highlights of 2020 | The Wardrobe Shop

Hands down the most exciting creative venture this year was my journey launching the official shop for The Wardrobe, and my signature folk fashion label - Katie Marvel. Style is second nature to me, and I believe in timeless fashion. The Wardrobe Shop is an exciting selection of curated, designed pieces in monthly collections that are an ode to classic style. Essential pieces that are a must-have in anyone’s wardrobe, so the wardrobe shop is full of regular, simple, easy to wear staples that can be easily blended in to any collection.

Above: The initial designs for the first collection ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ by Katie Marvel

Highlights of 2020 | Katie Marvel the Label

Most of all, Katie Marvel has been my biggest pride and joy and ultimate accomplishment. My signature label is a reflection of everything I believe about fashion and identity. ‘The Art of Wonder’ is at the heart of Katie Marvel, a folk-fashion label that is all about whimsical artisan pieces that are to be treasured forever. Creating this label, the work towards the launch and the many, many hours of behind the scenes time on designing, creating each coming collection is my most anticipated project of 2021! Bring on the new year in style ♥︎

Above: Home time was a big part of my daily routine through 2020, but we made the most of it!

Highlights of 2020 | Lessons & Opportunities

Ultimately, 2020 has been a crazy ride! I have taken some big steps into the creative unknown, made many mistakes, and discovered many opportunities. The biggest lessons I learned in 2020 were:

Take time off when you need it, you can’t burn the candle at both ends!
Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect, share, and learn from others - It’s almost always a win-win!
There is always a silver lining to everything, you just have to find it ♥︎

I feel many people have also experienced a learning discovery into self care throughout 2020, with mental health and general well being becoming essential. This is what I learned, and what has helped me but I would love to hear your thoughts below!