Models in Camilla and Marc and male model in Anthony Squires - brands sold by David Jones in its new New Zealand store. Photo / Damian Shaw
The wait is over for shoppers as department store David Jones releases the list of brands they are bringing to New Zealand this month - and Kiwi shoppers are in for a treat.
The Australian department store giant has announced Camilla and Marc, Shona Joy, Aesop, Hardy Amies and Tom Ford among a selection of its brands, alongside designer New Zealand labels that will be stocked in Wellington's former Kirkcaldie and Stains store.
In its first international expansion, David Jones inaugural New Zealand store will open on July 28 with the company promising a memorable event. David Jones chief operating officer David Thomas said the company had tried to incorporate the best of its collection of labels with the best that Kirks and New Zealand had to offer.
"We are confident we've collated a unique and exciting offering that will delight our New Zealand customers," Thomas said. "Our brand mix for Wellington incorporates many of the popular brands Wellingtonians know and love, but with a fresh take on breadth of range and format instore, combined with a variety of international brands that are new to Wellington or New Zealand."
New Zealand brands include the likes of Wellington-born label Twenty-Seven Names, as well as Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Saben, Rodd & Gunn, Trelise Cooper and Sabatini.
Thomas said the store would look to try different brands on the market to see what worked, with other labels likely to be stocked in David Jones Wellington as the store progressed.
"We are excited to bring the best of our fashion brands to New Zealand and equally to offer the best local brands," Thomas said. "It's important to us that New Zealand brands are well represented and we are pleased to welcome these brands to the David Jones fashion family."
The department store will be the first in New Zealand to offer renowned international labels Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Saint Laurent, as well as featuring favourites such as Chanel, Raymond Weil, Mimco and Samantha Wills. It will also stock a fine jewellery offering, featuring popular Australian brand Kailis Pearls and UK brands Monica Vinader and Astley Clarke.
First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson said the list was an exciting one, and showed David Jones had put a lot of thought into New Zealand's retail clientele.
"They've had the benefit of Kirk's sales information, insight from suppliers and developed a close connection with the Wellington marketplace since the store was announced," Wilkinson said.
"We know their retail and buying teams have been working to interpret the Capital's 'DNA' - particularly around the fashion offer - and the resulting range represents this well."
Wilkinson said the collection of international and local designers would draw customers in from across New Zealand as well as boost the country's profile in the international fashion market.
They've had the benefit of Kirk's sales information, insight from suppliers and developed a close connection with the Wellington marketplace since the store was announced.
"Overall the range will appeal to a broad cross section of consumers, but is edgy enough to woo the younger, design-led customers - which represents a huge part of the disposable income retailers are chasing now," Wilkinson said.
"This is the market that's helped TopShop's local success, but will also be actively shopping online with brands like ASOS. Getting them back into retail and experiencing products, styling fit and service is what the retail sector needs to do to best re-engage its market," he said.
According to Thomas, the company had tried to bring as much of its range to New Zealand as possible in the smaller Kirkcaldie and Stains store, with New Zealand shoppers able to expect most of the brands and services available in Australia to be represented. The Wellington store would also offer personal shopping services, makeup tutorial evenings and events as well as other offers available in some of its Australian stores.
BRANDS INCLUDE:
Australian and New Zealand designers:
Camilla, Camilla and Marc, Manning Cartell, Ginger & Smart, Lover, Kate Sylvester, Sabatini, Trelise Cooper, Twenty Seven Names and Karen Walker
Womenswear:
Jac + Jack, Bassike, Bec & Bridge, Viktoria + Woods, C&M, Tigerlily, Shona Joy, The Upside, C/MEO Collective, Mink Pink, Saba, Anthea Crawford, Studio W and Simone Perele
Menswear:
Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Anthony Squire, Boston, Abelard, Helly Hansen and Hardy Amies
Footwear and Accessories:
Saint Laurent, Valentino, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Monica Vinader, Samantha Wills, Wittner and Mimco
Childrenswear & Toys:
Country Road Kids, Witchery Kids, Huxbaby, Seed Kids, Pure Baby, Marquise, Our Generation, David Jones Toys
Beauty:
Tom Ford, Benefit, Aesop, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Elizabeth Arden, Cinique, Napoleon Perdis, Estee Lauder, Dermalogica and Trilogy
Home:
Dyson, Yves Delorme, Sheridan, Alessi, Georg Jenson, Villaroy & Boch, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton
Holly Ryan travelled to Australia courtesy of David Jones