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Vale Peter Nola Peter Nola was a long-time contributor to NZ’s fashion industry, and a resident of Remuera and Parnell. His Peppertree label was a huge success from the 1970s — there was a Peppertree boutique on Parnell Rd — before he also expanded into corporate wear. Locally, Nola’s connection with the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club was so deep, it was the venue for his memorial service at the end of August. His daughter-in-law, and regular contributor to THE HOBSON, Sandy Burgham, remembers him
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ne of the most colourful pioneers of the NZ fashion industry passed away on August 24 – my father -in-law, whom I completely adored, the inimitable Peter Nola. For many his name was synonymous with Peppertree, the label he created and ran for some 30 years from its launch in 1967. Peter was born to Luke and Katherine Nola on October 24, 1938, and while an Auckland boy through and through, he felt a strong connection to his Croatian roots — the family were from Podgora, on the Dalmatian coast. I always felt his love of fishing and boating, gold chains on tanned skin, fresh fish washed down with a good wine, and his emotional expressiveness came from this Adriatic side. He showed early prowess on the sports field, especially in rugby and tennis. It was the latter that would loom large in his life, and he was a long-time active member of the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club, where we held his service. With the flag flying at half-mast, Sade's "Smooth Operator" playing and amongst mementos of his time there — the Peppertree trophy he sponsored, his name on plaques on the walls — a packed clubhouse paid tribute to a man who was, in the words of one rag trader, “a legend of legends back in the day when there were real legends”. And I can contest to that. Peter was indeed legendary in so many ways. He lived not so much with the glass half full, but overflowing with optimism, tall stories and adventure. He was audacious and outrageous in so many ways, but got away with it because of charm and an essentially expansive good nature. Three years ago, when my daughter was 16, she did a school essay on her “Dida” (Croatian for grandpa). I think this extract really captures the essence of Peter. “Eyes sparkling, he greets me with a kiss on the cheek and I get enveloped in his signature cloud of Ralph Lauren Polo cologne. Fifty years since he first founded the New Zealand fashion label Peppertree, a now-retired Peter Nola sits across from me in his sleek, all-white living room, animated as he speaks about his life. “I really was in love with fashion. I didn’t want to sell things that weren’t the top. I wanted the best.” Peter’s face is an image of pride and ardor as he takes himself back to his heyday at the height of Peppertree’s success. In the early 80s Peter was designing uniforms for the National Bank, Air New Zealand, BNZ, Fisher & Paykel, TAB, Auckland City Council and numerous other corporations throughout Australasia. He made up to $18 million a year through sales on hit garments like fur coats, polka-dotted raincoats, flared jeans and hot pants (the latter being an item he allegedly brought
to New Zealand). In Peter’s words, “Everyone wanted Peppertree.” And he is not shy when it comes to his lust for fashion and even greater love for the brand he created. “No one sold pieces like we did. If a buyer wanted stock, we would get it to them in a week. No one could compete with Peppertree.” The enthusiasm Peter clearly feels toward his achievements is no doubt a fuel to his ego but admittedly, his energy is contagious and I find myself smiling as he resumes his story. Peter had always known he wanted to go into fashion, even at the young age of 12. “My mum worked in a lingerie store and I would see her boss driving expensive cars with beautiful women,” he laughs. “In my head it seemed fashion equalled money and women, what more does a young boy want?” And money and women he got, along with international success. Unfortunately, as a child growing up in a conservative, and very much sheltered, working class household of the 1940s, Peter’s ambitions to enter into the fashion world were not exactly met with open arms. “I had a difficult father. He told me only queers go into fashion.” Despite this, Peter saw a huge gap in the market and leapt at the opportunity for success. “I wasn’t the brightest in the class, but when the smart guys went off to do their PhDs and law degrees, I saw the endless opportunities in fashion and to be the best.” The New Zealander magazine once described him as “Giving the impression that he is in love with every garment, every stitch”. And looking at him now, these words still ring true. Standing at the doorway as he sees me out, I can see that Peter Nola will never lose his instinctive eye for fashion and taste. Peter’s ensemble sums him up to a tee: white linen shorts and polo shirt with a baby pink cardigan placed neatly over his shoulders; he is the epitome of elegant grooming. While most of us are hindered by age, it is clear that Peter’s natural flair and intuition for the finer things in life are eternal.” Indeed in the final few months as his health failed him, we still talked about luxury launches and fabulous hotels, ate sashimi and drank sake together. Literally in his final hour, he managed to compliment his beloved daughter Suzy on her outfit. Peter leaves behind an extended clan that includes his wonderful wife Barb, four children, including my husband Luke, six grandchildren including our son Pete (following the Nola/Croatian family tradition of naming the first son after the grandfather), two stepsons, five step-grandchildren, a host of loyal friends, and two adored sisters: Julie who lives on the shores of Hobson Bay, and Greta, whom many will know from her fashion business, Collezioni on Remuera Rd. We all loved Peter dearly and in our grief are comforted by one fact — the man really knew how to live.
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