SHIVER: Our Cold Weather Expertise Behind the Scenes
We’re excited to be involved with Shiver, an extraordinary new feature film from acclaimed Australian filmmaker Robert Connolly — the creative force behind The Dry, Blueback, Paper Planes and other globally recognised dramas.
Shiver, Robert Connolly’s 10th feature film, is a love story set against the remote and fragile wilderness of Antarctica, following a young journalist on a life-changing scientific expedition. It is based on the bestselling 1997 novel by Nikki Gemmell. Notably, Shiver will be the first Australian narrative feature to film on the Antarctic continent, a landmark moment for Australian cinema and Antarctic storytelling alike.
Preparation for filming in extreme cold requires extensive planning. When the team sought our assistance in outfitting the crew and cast, we were delighted. Our connection with the ice stretches back generations. From the early Ellis expeditions to designing gear for modern scientific programmes, the story of Antarctica has been intertwined with the story of our family, our gear and our ongoing pursuit of performance in the harshest climates on Earth.
A Jacket with History , D480 Anorak and Earth Sea Sky & Antarctica.
Photo above: The Shiver team visit Earth Sea Sky to select gear fit for Antarctic conditions and for the costuming fit for the film.
Photo above: Rob Connolly, Australian film director, producer, and screenwriter based in Melbourne reviewing garments in our Christchurch store.
Collaboration with The Shiver Team on Antarctic Wardrobe
The Shiver production team approached us on the merit of our Antarctic heritage, proven performance in extreme climates, and practical knowledge of how to keep people warm and dry on the ice. They were looking for rugged, authentic jackets that could be adapted to period costume and were suitable for harsh Antarctic conditions. With almost 100 years of outfitting explorers, scientists and adventurers in polar environments.
They visited our Christchurch store, where we enjoyed connecting personally and professionally. Importantly they wanted to view the ECW jackets to establish how these could be adapted for their filming requirements.
Since their visit in December 2025, we have been working in close collaboration with their Melbourne-based, costume designer Maria Pattison. Maria has extensive screen and theatre experience and an eye for how to get the garments adjusted to fit into the film.
The Shiver team and jackets are heading south with Heritage Expeditions, another family business, ready for filming to begin.
Maria noted ‘Rob has been loving working with Heritage to get this all happening and more broadly with the whole ethos of this film and who is involved. We also feel much like a family’.
We are proud to be part of this family and excited to watch Shiver take shape on and off the ice.
Stay tuned for more as production unfolds and check out the Melbourne Age story about Maria’s work on this project.
Photo above: Renowned Costume Designer Maria Pattison – Photo Credit Wayne Taylor, SMH – The Age
Photo above: Spectrum Article featured in The Age (Australia), featuring Maria Pattison’s costume work and highlighting Earth Sea Sky’s ECW jacket as part of Shiver’s costuming.
