Trelise Cooper

Trelise, a born and bred New Zealander, is a fascinating blend of contradictions and non-conformity.

She has never learned to sew or had any formal training and yet her eye for design and fabrication are legendary, winning her countless awards and accolades and taking her brands worldwide.

Trelise Cooper is one of New Zealand's high profile fashion designers, her work appearing on the cover of Women's Wear Daily in August 2004. Her designs grace many of her country's celebrities and are exported to Australia and the United States. Her company's turnover, which includes earnings from sunglasses and underwear lines, was reportedly NZ$15 million in 2005. She is famous for her jewellery and her runway collections.

Cooper's catwalk shows at New Zealand Fashion Week are often marked by the use of celebrities.

She is married to textile company boss Jack Cooper.

In December 2005, Cooper began a controversy when she blocked fellow fashion designer Tamsin Cooper registering her own name as a trademark, alleging bad faith, deception and confusion. Before the case could even reach the Intellectual Property Office, in March 2006 Cooper escalated the matter to the High Court and added extra complaints. In July 2007, Trelise Cooper agreed to drop the suit and let Tamsin Cooper operate under her own name.

Cooper recently released a children's range of clothing for which she has been criticized for exploiting a vulenrable market and fueling consumerism amongst children.

Trelise cooper has been influenced by Oprah Winfrey because of her wisdom, realness, honesty and courage.