Homegrown success story: Kate Macdonald of Davaar
Kate Macdonald is the female face ushering in a new age of appreciation for strong wool jerseys. From farm to fashion, the founder and creative director of Davaar & Co., now Davaar, chats with Metropol editor Nina Tucker.
“Wool was all we wore,” Kate says of a childhood surrounded by it with sister Anna, brother Ben, and parents Fiona and James. “Back then, it wasn’t about fashion or consumerism, it was about quality, function, and connection to the land. In a world now flooded with synthetic clothing, I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up understanding the value of something so real and enduring.”
Kate’s grandmother Sally would knit woollen jerseys – ‘homespuns’ to the rural community – and what was a way of life became so much more. Over a cup of tea in lockdown, Kate and her dad dreamt up ways to add value to and showcase their strong wool. “It started with nothing more than an idea around the kitchen table,” she remembers, acknowledging the progress in the five years since.
How does a female break through the market with an underappreciated fibre and a world full of cheap synthetic alternatives in a male-dominated industry? Simple. “We don’t compete with [cheap, low-quality garments].” Customers value wool – if they don’t already, they’re eager to understand the investment. An ironic parallel, Kate’s journey as a female entrepreneur carves out new space in the industry, breaking through the noise and the mold – a great honour to her grandmother. “Challenging long-standing perceptions through our brand has become one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Just like strong wool, sometimes you have to fight to be recognised for what you’re truly capable of.”
Kate never set out to provoke anyone. She focused on the controllables to create a quiet consistency that would, soon enough, move mountains. Her support, and success, isn’t restricted to one gender, rather a shared respect for the land and fibre.
Growing a business from the ground up has been more than a learning curve, yet Kate’s unique perception and clarity of purpose sounds like the recipe for success. “I’m not a fashion designer, which might sound unusual considering I’m building a fashion brand,” Kate admits. “Davaar is about creating value from an underappreciated resource – strong wool – and building something commercially viable that also tells the story of our century-old family farm and this remarkable fibre. We’re focused on longevity, not trends. The business model is intentionally simple and values-led. We produce timeless garments with integrity, and we’re not trying to be everything to everyone.” The result is a rewarding one, for Kate and Davaar.
THE FABRIC WEAVING GENERATIONS
“Wool isn’t just part of our past, it’s vital to our future,” Kate notes. It connects her to the land, the animals, the craftsmanship. Without it, she says New Zealand would be in stark contrast to its current position. “We would lose not just an industry, but a key part of our identity. One rooted in sustainability, resilience, and innovation. [Wool has] supported farming families for generations, built rural communities, and put our country on the map for high quality natural fibres.”
Wool tells a story, Kate says, of sustainability, tradition, and innovation. “We understand the dedication, resilience, and care that go into producing high-quality meat and wool because we’ve lived it ourselves. That connection drives everything we do, from honoring the heritage of wool production to ensuring our garments reflect the craftsmanship and hard work of those in the industry.”
BEHIND THE BRAND
Given her upbringing, Kate is forever up for adventure. If she’s not exploring opportunities for Davaar, she’s exploring the Fiordland countryside, by foot or bike. Embarking on overnight or multi-day trips with her partner or friends, Kate isn’t one to waste the landscapes she lives within.
She finds satisfaction through a thriving vegetable garden and homecooked meals heralding homegrown ingredients, and being behind the lens capturing the moments that pass by in a blink.
Kate lives every day in a wholesome way. Rising early, she squeezes in a workout or walk and a nourishing breakfast before making the 10-minute commute to the store. “I spend the day working on the business in between helping customers, which works really well for me.” Luckily, Sprig & Thistle, her sister Anna’s coffee caravan, is next door offering daily essentials.
Summer brings a steady stream of travellers to the store, while Kate focuses on the background details during the colder season. Closing up around 4pm, Kate returns home to garden, cook, catch up with her partner – or continue working – and wind down by 9.30pm.
GOING GLOBAL
Kate’s rebrand as of 1 May sends Davaar worldwide, further solidifying their presence on home soil while educating global markets on strong wool’s speciality. Two years in the making alongside her parents, brand strategist Morv, and designers Arch and Toby, takes a resilient rural brand to new heights. “May is a big month,” Kate laughs, nodding to a Country Calendar episode airing on 25 May. She will close the station’s flagship store as the road quietens over winter – redistributing that time to exploring new ways to showcase Davaar in locations with higher foot traffic over the colder months.
