This was published 15 years ago
Sheepskin is just so yesterday, dahling
Hilary Doling maps out the New Zealand capital's most fashionable spots.
By Hilary Doling
Once upon a time the words "New Zealand" and "fashion" would never have been uttered in the same sentence. A world away from the traditional fashion capitals of London, New York and Paris, New Zealanders were the originators of such style crimes as the jandal and the long shorts worn with long socks school of elegance.
OK, now Australians aren't laughing any more we know we were guilty, too.
How things have changed.
Walking around Auckland or Wellington these days you'll find some of the world's best design talent. Zambesi, Karen Walker, Nom D and Mandatory are all design houses that have become famous worldwide. The last time I was in Auckland in my typical tourist garb of jeans and a practical jacket I felt distinctly underdressed, because the North Island city, which hosts Air New Zealand Fashion Week in October, is very chic these days.
Now Wellington is also celebrating its fashion fever with a newly launched fashion map, which will help visitors get around to the most stylish shops. Take a spare suitcase because your holiday souvenirs won't be just sheepskin slippers, they will be LBDs, jewellery, stylish suits and at least a couple of designer originals.
Set between a blue harbour and rolling green hills, New Zealand's capital is a beautifully scenic spot. You can cruise the harbour, ride the cable car, visit the zoo or tour the historic sights. There's plenty for the enthusiastic tourist to do, but all a serious shopaholic really needs to know is that downtown Wellington divides into separate quarters and you'll find great stores in each one. There is concentrated shopping and upmarket indulgence in the Lambton Quarter, funky and innovative shopping in the Cuba Quarter, Kiwi lifestyle shopping in the Willis Quarter and some up-and-coming designer shops in the cafe-crazy Courtenay Quarter.
Here's a pick of the best places to stop and shop.
Willis Quarter
Starfish, 128 Willis Street: The Lord Of The Rings Location Guidebook tells us that Liv Tyler picked Starfish as one of her favourite shopping spots. So anyone after a touch of young Hollywood cool should definitely head here. The designers have a social conscience, naming their winter collection Joyride, to promote the joys of public transport over cars.
Marvel, 106 Victoria Street: Co-owner Linz Ariell studied architecture before becoming a designer, which is why the shop is so funky. Co-designer Sam Gray loves travel so you'll find the fabrics are as interesting as the style.
Voon, 142 Willis Street: Designer Sophie Voon says that as a child she loved creating clothes for her dolls, which might explain the girlie, fun nature of the clothes you buy here. Alongside the clothes, Voon also stocks accessories from a range of other New Zealand designers. Voon says she loves to encourage customers to play dress-up.
World, 98 Victoria Street: This year World became the first New Zealand fashion label to show at Paris Fashion Week. The design team is based in Auckland but World in Wellington stocks a huge range of the best of its men's and women's collections.
Cuba Quarter
Carly Harris, 154 Cuba Street: If you're looking for fabulous fabrics, head for Carly Harris. Here you'll find vintage fabrics from around the world made up in New Zealand into the kind of bohemian floaty feminine numbers that Sienna Miller would love.
Mandatory, 108 Cuba Street: Not wishing to leave the guys out, this is a men-only clothing store, the flagship of the Mandatory label. This label is a fashion week favourite with sharp suits and causal wear for guys for whom all black isn't just a rugby term.
Triangle, 45 Ghuznee Street: If you want something they won't be wearing back home in Sydney, shop here for one-off and limited edition garments by some of New Zealand's youngest and funkiest designers.
Fashion HQ, 106-110 Left Bank, Cuba Mall: New Zealand has a host of emerging fashion talent, so it's great to find a place where new talent gets hanger space. This shop stocks a whole range of new designs from streetwear through to custom-made pieces.
Lambton Quarter
Zambesi, 107 Customhouse Quay: Zambesi is one of New Zealand's best-known design labels. It was one of the first Kiwi labels to gain international recognition. Designer Elisabeth Findlay and husband Neville have been in the business for 25 years, and although all the manufacturing is based in New Zealand, 50 per cent of their clothes go overseas. This store also stocks other well-known names.
Madcat, 1 Grey Street: Jill Alexander's garments have a lot of hand printing and embroidery, not to mention the odd tight, sexy corset for evenings where eating isn't your prime objective.
Courtenay Quarter
Soup, 8 Blair Street: Soup offers up a rich broth of New Zealand designers, such as Karen Walker and Zambesi, as well as some overseas favourites from Armani to Issey Miyake.
Ending up in the Courtenay Quarter laden with designer shopping bags isn't a bad idea, because this is also where some of the best cafes and bars are to be found. Kick off your shoes and order a large cappuccino at Expressoholic (128 Courtenay Place).
Or if you'd rather go straight to the cocktails, head for Hummingbird, an Art Deco tapas bar also in Courtenay Place where you can celebrate your Kiwi purchases with a Kiwi cocktail: Kiwiana, a mix of vodka, Cointreau, Midori, apple juice, kiwi fruit and lime.
So there you have it: the perfect city guide for serious shoppers.
TRIP NOTES
· Air New Zealand Fashion Week will be held from October 18 to 21 in Auckland. For more information see http://www.nzfashionweek.com.
· Air New Zealand is offering Smart Saver fares from $270 return to Auckland (excluding taxes) during fashion week. See http://www.airnewzealand.com.au.
· Flights to Wellington with Air New Zealand start at $270 return (Smart Saver) or $518 return (Flexi Saver), excluding taxes.
· For more tourist information see www.wellingtonnz.com.
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