Liam Bowden has always had impeccable taste, from when I first met the Deadly Ponies founder in the mid-2000s through to today. You could see it in the raw luxury of early workrooms, the considered and detail-rich campaigns and today’s art-filled boutiques (he’s an avid collector) in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. That refinement has always come with a wink; remember the My Little Pony collab?

He launched Deadly Ponies 20 years ago with distinctive, hardware-heavy one-off leather bags and accessories, and it’s grown to become a stalwart of New Zealand fashion. For many, it’s become something of a coming-of-age rite of passage to buy, or be gifted, their first DP bag, and you can spot them carried everywhere from Ponsonby to the regions. It’s since evolved from those early chunky statement pieces, with elegant bags big and small, and really great shoes. Liam now runs the business alongside husband Steve Boyd, who joined in 2010.

I knew his personal touchstones would be simple yet specific, guiding his work and his personal taste – including a mutual appreciation for trinkets.

Horses 

Horses have always been a strong reference point for me. I’m inspired by their symbolism – both historical and mythological – as well as the motifs and saddlery associated with them. I’ve recently started riding and learning dressage, which feels like a natural loop back to Deadly Ponies’ identity; it’s both personal and creative for me.

Trinkets and small objects

I’ve always had a love of collecting small things, anything from a stone I’ve found on a walk to a tiny memento from a trip. These little objects carry such strong memories and emotions. I’ve become more intentional about keeping them organised and less cluttered, but they still hold a special place in my creative process.

Colour

Colour has always been central to my work. Moving beyond a monochrome phase, I’ve embraced vibrant reds and greens, curating shades that bring energy to my practice.

Furniture and art from the early 1900s onward

I’m very inspired by early 20th-century design, including Walter Lamb, Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti and René Lalique with his incredible glass pieces. Recently, I added a Jean Lurçat tapestry with a bold rooster motif to my collection. I love that blend of boldness, craftsmanship, and a touch of naivety those works embody.

Irving Penn

Irving Penn has always been an inspiration, he blurred the line between commercial and artistic work so seamlessly. I admire the way he brought such creativity and drama into projects, whether it was fashion for Issey Miyake or beauty for Clinique. There’s a theatrical quality to his work that I often look to as a reference point.