Blue rain from a clear sky.
Our world a cube of sunlight —
but to the south
the violet admonition
of thunder.
Innocent as flowers
your eyes with their thick lashes
open in green surprise.
What have we to fear?
Frost and a sharp wind
reproach us,
and a tall sky pelts the roof
with blue flowers.
You and I in bed, my love,
heads leaning together,
merry as thieves
eating stolen honey —
what have we to fear
but a borrowed world
collapsing all about us
in blue ruins?
Blue rain
Alistair Te Ariki Campbell
Common Material
Contemporary fashion shaped by the city of
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Featuring the work of: JPalm, Kowtow,
twenty-seven names, Yu Mei, and
Cheshire Architects, with contributions by:
Jimmy D, Chloe Hill, Lily Paris West,
and Gerard Dombroski.
5–7 June 2026
City Gallery Wellington
Te Whare Toi
Free entry
Programme of Events
Friday, June 5th
* Opening Night (by invitation only) *
Runway Show: Tether
Presented by JPalm
Saturday, June 6th
11am
Runway Show: What is done in love
will last forever
Presented by twenty-seven names
12pm
In Conversation: Kowtow
1.30pm
In Conversation: twenty-seven names
3pm
Runway Show: Salon Yu Mei
Presented by Yu Mei
Sunday, June 7th
11am
In Conversation: JPalm, Jimmy D,
Nathan Taare & Dr. Chelsea Nichols
12pm
In Conversation: Yu Mei & Gerard Dombroski
2pm
Panel: Regenerating
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Presented by Kowtow
Please note: Tickets to runway shows and talks are available to purchase in limited numbers, through links in event titles. Entry to the exhibition and “In Conversation” events are free.
Common Material
The hoardings are coming down, the buzz of construction is finally giving way – and Wellington's civic heart is reopening. Common Material arrives at this moment of renewal, bringing together four of Wellington's most significant fashion labels – twenty-seven names, Kowtow, Yu Mei, and JPalm – for a three-day design event at City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi.
Taking place 5–7 June 2026, the event centres on an exhibition – presenting garments, materials and archival works from each designer, exploring the craft, process and values that shape Aotearoa fashion. A programme of ticketed runway shows, talks and conversations runs alongside.
But Common Material is also a beginning. This first edition launches a new platform for Wellington design, with the ambition to grow into a biennial in 2028 – drawing in furniture designers, typographers, architects, jewellers and ceramicists to celebrate the full breadth of Wellington's creative spirit.
About the Designers
Yu Mei is a leather goods label founded by Jessie Wong, centred around considered carrying systems that simplify daily life, material longevity and responsible stewardship. In 2025, the brand celebrated its 10th anniversary.
twenty-seven names was founded by Anjali Burnett and Rachel Easting. Known for its playful voice and an ongoing commitment to local production, the label has been a fixture of New Zealand fashion for twenty years.
JPalm is an independent fashion project by Julia Palm. Working from a maker-led ethos and informed by subculture,
JPalm fuses meticulous construction with rebellious utility.
Kowtow, founded by Gosia Piatek in 2006, has been recognised internationally for its commitment to circular design and certified organic materials – pushing fashion beyond industry norms.
Common Material is generously supported by:
Wellington City Council, City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi, Cheshire Architects, Sharesies, Armstrong’s Wellington, Wellington Airport, Lowe & Co Foundation, Sarah Wickens, Wellington NZ, Hiraya Ventures, Buoy Salon & Spa, Willis Bond, Tiemann & Co, Air New Zealand, Norwest Group, ACME, The Print Room, Phantom Billstickers, Ombra, Parrotdog Brewery.
*Blue Rain by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell is excerpted and reproduced courtesy of the Alistair Te Ariki Campbell Estate.
Design and Art-Direction:
Seb McLauchlan & Johannes Bay
Motion: WorkGroup
Spatial Design: Cheshire Architects