Tejo van Schie originally hails from the small village of Honselersdijk in the Netherlands famous for its massive auction house for cut flowers. For the past 41 years he’s called Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland home after following fashion designer and founder of the New Zealand Fashion Museum, Doris de Pont, to New Zealand and has no regrets.
At 6’6” Tejo van Schie stands out in a crowd and enjoys experimenting with clothing. A recently retired physiotherapist and nursing lecturer, Tejo is a familiar face at fashion shows and festivals in Aotearoa including Splore.
Word on Fashion sat down for a quick chat.
You were born in the Netherlands and made New Zealand home – what originally brought you here, and what made you stay?
That is an easy one to answer. Her name is Doris de Pont.
Tejo van Schie with partner Doris de Pont (centre) and designer / fashion educator and activist Karishma Kelsey at the AUT Graduate Show 2025 in Auckland. Photography Carolyn Enting
How do you think your European upbringing has shaped the way you see culture, creativity and personal style?
The main advantage of coming from the Netherlands is that I remain a foreigner living in Aotearoa. This allows a lot of freedom to be however I feel like being. I’m not expected to dress conventionally, and I can join in with any activities I feel like regardless of age and status.
Looking back, what moments or experiences most influenced who you are today?
Discovering the liberating power of a drug-free dancefloor during my high school years has been pivotal.
Splore Festival 2024. Photography Nicole Brannen
You seem more visible and culturally engaged than many people half your age. What keeps your curiosity alive?
I love music, dance, nature, film, literature, art, and fashion. Auckland has a lot of exciting opportunities in all these fields, so we participate where we can. I’m very excited about living in a truly multi-cultural city where it only takes a bicycle ride to travel to events in Te ao Maori, the Pacific, and Asia.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m aware that my height already makes me noticeable here, so I’m not trying to hide in how I dress. Comfort and practicality are very important to me however. Very different styles for different occasion, as I may be on my way to a night club to dance, or to Tiritiri Matangi to guide people in nature, or to an infestation of moth plant where protective overalls are required.
Splore Festival 2024. Photography Nicole Brannen
Has fashion always mattered to you, or did it evolve over time?
Yes, fashion has always been an important as a means of expressing myself. I used to stage manage fashion parades in the Netherlands as a hobby in my twenties.
Are there any style rules you live by – or actively enjoy breaking?
I like breaking the rules, but Doris will give constructive feedback on what works and what doesn’t. I’m lucky like that.
Do you have any non-negotiables in your wardrobe, or pieces you’ll never give up?
The reversible raincoat Doris made me when I first arrived in the 80s is still a favourite, as are all the DNA/Doris clothes that are still alive. Fortunately she still makes me things from time to time.
You’re often seen alongside your partner Doris de Pont at shows, exhibitions and festivals – what do you admire most about her, both personally and creatively?
She is the most outstanding and generous person I have ever met. I was smitten after meeting her at a fashion show in the Netherlands just one week before she went back to New Zealand. I was absolutely right to emigrate.
From left: Michael Upchurch, Publisher, Te Papa Press, Doris de Pont and Tejo van Schie at the Auckland launch of Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection (Te Papa Press) on K Rd, 2025. Photography Carolyn Enting
How do you support each other’s individuality while sharing such a visible life in the arts and fashion world?
We do a lot together and a lot separately. In the fashion world my role is just to support her in her amazing endeavours.
What have you learned about fashion – or yourself – through your relationship with Doris?
Too much to mention here. An outstanding learning for me has come through her involvement in the Global Fashion Assembly and our travel to Mali and Ethiopia. It really widened my appreciation of the omnipresence of fashion in the world, well beyond the Western commercial idea of fashion.
Front row at Jeanine Clarkin, New Zealand Fashion Week 2019. Photography Carolyn Enting
Do you ever influence each other’s outfits, or is that strictly off-limits?
I love the advice I get.
What’s your favourite mode of transport and why?
In and around Tāmaki I exclusively travel by bicycle. It is very enabling; I get to lots of different things and its always easy to park and a great joy.
You’re a familiar face at Splore Festival. What keeps drawing you back each year?
I love Splore, but I haven’t been every year. Even when I don’t attend people are convinced they have seen me there, which shows that festival is a great fit for me. This year I’ll be there early as a volunteer to help with setting it up.
At Splore Festival with Doris (2012). Photo supplied
Any memorable Splore moments that perfectly sum up why you love it?
Dancing in the sea to Nickodemus on a scorching Sunday Morning is one of many highlights.
What advice would you give to people who feel it’s “too late” to experiment with style or self-expression?
It’s never too late to live life.
What currently excites you – in fashion, music or life in general?
Āhua Aotearoa in fashion, Mokotron in music and admiral butterflies in te taiao (nature).
If personal style is a form of storytelling, what do you hope yours says about you?
I leave that up to others to deduce.
