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
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
12 pm
In Conversation: Yu Mei & Gerard Dombroski
1.30 pm
Panel: Regenerating
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Presented by Kowtow
Please note:
Tickets are available to purchase through links in titles. In Conversation events are free to attend. All other runway shows and talks are ticketed events with limited spaces available. Entry to the central exhibition is 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 Wellington-based leather goods label founded by Jessie Wong, known for its focus on considered design, material longevity and responsible stewardship. Yu Mei celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025.
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.
twenty-seven names is a Wellington-based fashion label by Anjali Burnett and Rachel Easting. Known for its playful voice and ongoing commitment to local production, twenty-seven names has been a fixture of New Zealand fashion for 20 years.
Founded by Gosia Piatek in 2006, Kowtow is a Wellington-based fashion brand recognised internationally for its commitment to circular design and certified organic materials.
*Blue Rain by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell is excerpted and reproduced courtesy of the Alistair Te Ariki Campbell Estate.
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, Sarah Wickens, Wellington NZ, Hiraya Ventures, Buoy Salon & Spa, Willis Bond, Air New Zealand, Norwest Group, ACME, The Print Room, Phantom Billstickers, Ombra, Parrotdog Brewery.
Design and Art-Direction:
Seb McLauchlan & Johannes Bay