In the fast-paced world of fashion, Aeron Balgemino invites us to slow down. Based in Wellington and the founder of his namesake label BALGEMINO, Aeron is quietly reshaping New Zealand's design landscape with garments that carry history, emotion, and purpose—stitched right into the seams.
His work is rooted in heritage techniques like boro and sashiko—centuries-old Japanese methods of visible mending and reinforcement. But rather than simply referencing the past, Balgemino builds on it. He reclaims denim, vintage silks, painter’s cloths and deadstock fabrics to create something wholly new: pieces that feel both soulful and strikingly contemporary.
Every piece in his collection carries a sense of narrative—stories of resourcefulness, reinvention, and deep respect for materials. Whether it’s a jacket made from salvaged denim and silk remnants or a hand-patched garment brought back to life through sashiko stitching, Balgemino’s designs feel alive with intention.
His recent exhibition REMNANTS, co-created with textile artist Paula Collier, pushed this ethos even further. The entire collection was crafted from salvaged materials—parachute silk, scrap leather, vintage offcuts—and reimagined through hand-stitching, deconstruction, and collage. These weren’t just clothes—they were quiet acts of protest against throwaway culture, and celebrations of what can be salvaged, repaired, and transformed.
What makes Balgemino’s work so inspiring isn’t just the craftsmanship—it’s the care. His garments are made locally, slowly, and with deep respect for both material and meaning. In a world obsessed with speed and novelty, he chooses patience and process. Every detail is considered. Every piece is a story.
At goodsole, we’re proud to champion makers like Aeron—designers who remind us that fashion can be more than product. It can be poetry. It can be purpose. And most importantly, it can be part of a better future.
Explore more of Aeron’s work at balgemino.com/exhibits
