AUCKLAND: Tamsin Cooper has well and truly proven she is a fashion designer in her own right.
The New Zealand-based Cooper has been commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) to create a range of accessories, the first ever designer to receive such a request from the dance company.
Cooper first made headlines in 2006, when high-profile designer Trelise Cooper issued a lawsuit and trade mark dispute which alleged her name was too similar and would cause confusion in the marketplace.
Since the lawsuit was dropped the following year, Tamsin Cooper has gone on to establish a reputation for her silk embroidered accessories. She will create a collection of 17 products for the RNZB, including brooaches, hair-ties, compact mirrors, necklaces and clutch bags embroidered with small pink ballet pumps.
Cooper said it would be a sponsorship agreement between the two parties, with the range set to land in retail and online stores this week. A percentage of sales will go to the RNZB.
"This is the first of what I hope will be many collections I design for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. There are plans afoot to extend the range further, later in the year, so this is just our opening act."