Our Story

Rescued from Obscurity

In 2022, during the depths of COVID, a vintage fashion find set off an obsession. A jacket from a brand I had never heard of—Oscar Eide. It felt like New Zealand’s response to the world’s most iconic heritage outerwear. Tough, timeless, and built to last.

So, what else did they make?

Nothing. No website, no online presence just a handful of old newspaper ads, some disconnected phone numbers, and a factory address that was now a Lighting store. The brand had vanished.

I had to know more..

Years of cold calling, emailing, digging through archives at the Whanganui Museum, and knocking on doors finally led me to the original trademark. Oscar Eide wasn’t just a name it was a legacy. And I was determined to bring it back.

Nikolai Solakof - Owner / Creative Director *early days bedroom studio

Collection of Original Oscar Eide Jackets 

New Zealand Made – No Shortcuts

The first real decision? Whether to manufacture the jackets in New Zealand.

Since the ‘90s, nothing has changed. Our free trade agreements still incentivise offshore production, and "Designed in New Zealand" has become the industry norm. Brands sketch out ideas here but rely on cheap overseas labor, often under questionable conditions, to do the actual work.

That didn’t sit right with me.

If I was going to do this, I had to at least try to make them in New Zealand. But this wasn’t easy. Years ago, an Oscar Eide director wrote in an article that for New Zealand made company's "there's only room for niche players." He wasn’t wrong. The low- to mid-range market was already saturated—big names selling mass-produced clothing at scale.

If Oscar Eide was going to work, it had to push the envelope. No compromises on quality.

"Big Red" The first Prototype

The Best Materials in the World

Finding the right canvas became an obsession. I sourced samples from mills across multiple continents, comparing weight, texture, and durability.

One stood out above the rest.

Fujikinbai canvas from Japan—a heritage textile woven in specialised mills with a quality unlike anything else. It was the perfect fabric to revive Oscar Eide. So, I flew to Japan and secured the deal myself.

With the canvas locked in, the next challenge was leather. I wasn’t interested in cutting corners. Every Oscar Eide jacket features New Zealand leather—locally sourced, full-grain, and built to age beautifully.

To add to this we also use extra strong vintage brass YKK zips and timeless brass domes to complete the look. 

Fujikinbai Japanese Canvas 

A Legacy Rebuilt

I’ve put everything I have into making these as good as they can be.

Every design is rooted in the brand’s history honouring the craftsmanship and rugged utility of the originals while refining the details for today.

No shortcuts. No compromises. Just the best materials, the best craftsmanship, and a relentless commitment to keeping New Zealand-made fashion alive.

The legacy is back. And this time, it's here to stay.

Learn More about the 100-year history of the brand Here