The new store in progress!

Today marks the third day of Curate’s ‘big move’ and we couldn’t be happier with the progress that’s already been made. Everyone’s doing their bit to ensure we meet our ever-approaching deadline – and so, we will most definitely be open Thursday, as originally expected.

Where to start? Well, Geoff our personal painter – we’ll claim him – has created a masterpiece of our new premises, if we do say so ourselves!  From there our ribs have been fitted (referring to our clothing racks, of course!), ready and waiting to be filled with our fabulousNew Zealanddesigner labels. Even more recently however, our beautiful light-shades have been fitted – successfully brightening up this week’s cloudy autumn weather.

We have so much stock we’re just itching to get into our new gallery and show off our fabulous labels!  We’re especially excited about the garments from Silent Was; clothing that featured recently at Wellington Fashion Week.  Shen’s high-profile products have app
eared in the likes of Fashion Quarterly and World Magazine recently, and are also a must see…

Just one more day to go – we’ll see you in store this Thursday!

Curate founders Paul and Jill Blomfield in Curate

It is often said that change is like a holiday, and here at Curate we most definitely agree! And so, we’re on the move!

But, never fear. We’re not going too far. So, as of this coming Thursday you will find us in a refreshing new space, just next door, in the area previously occupied by Poi Room.

Although, a third smaller in size, the exciting new residence will more than adequately display our stunning array of New Zealand designer labels; from Blak to Sabatini, Tk to Derryn Schmidt; fashion, footwear, accessories and more, all will no-doubt feel at home in as little as no-time.

Keeping in mind that all good things take time, in order to swiftly- swap premises, Curate will close from Sunday  the 13th of May and reopen, looking just as sharp and fashionable on Thursday the 17th of May.

As always, Curate is eager to discover,  stock and showcase the best that New Zealand fashion has to offer. And we are excited about the new angles (quite literally) this shift will provide!

Curious? No problem, we will provide constant updates of these exciting develops to come. or cal us at the store: (09) 379 7500.

Watch this space… and we will be sure to keep you posted.

Lest we forget, Curate will be open on Anzac Day between 1:30pm and 5:00pm.

And if you haven’t seen it, here is a photo of the awesome display of poppies that we ‘planted in Britomart.

Thanks to NZGirl for letting us use the photo.

The amazing sea of poppies at Britomart for Anzac Day

Curate is so pleased to have Deryn Schmidt instore at Curate. A fabulous Wellington designer with a lovely eye for fashion.

Here’s a great item from Good Magazine talking about her history and inspiration.

CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH

BY REBEKAH WHITE

Gorgeous garments from Deryn Schmidt - now at Curate

Good meets Kiwi fashion designer Deryn Schmidtand discovers a fresh new talent following in her granny’s footsteps

Read on here:

Our gorgeous new pendant lights

Just installed today – these fantastic lights from the Labware Range by Floss.

Gorgeous!

Follow the stickers to the Fashion Festival at Britomart

Britomart is buzzing with the arrival of the New Zealand Fashion Festival happening from today until Sunday in Auckland City.

Today sees the first events of a huge schedule of shows that will excite and enthuse fashion people across the CBD.

The Curate team are excited to be part of the festival. Apart from having a steady stream of fashion people in the district during the week (Britomart  is the closest parking to Shed 10), there are a number of fantastic events happening within the Britomart area.

Curate is excited to be part of two stunning fashion shows during the week.

First is the fabulous Volvo Long Lunch – to be held in Takutai Square, Britomart, on Friday 2nd March at 1:30pm. See here for details. Curate will have a selection of styles from the new season, shown alongside leading labels Zambesi, World, Kate Sylvester and Ted Baker. Sit in the sun, eat five delicious courses from top Britomart restaurants  Ebisu, District Dining, Cafe Hanoi, while watching the fashion.  www.longlunch.co.nz

Next, come see the Fashion in the Big Little City fashion show in the Atrium on Takutai, Britomart, Auckland. Our Saturday 3rd march, 3:00pm ‘On the Town’ show will feature Curate, Ted Baker and MADE. Entry is FREE for this fabulous show. Come to the Westpac Building in Britomart and be part of the action.

And if you want to learn about the new season and how to wear the fantastic new looks on offer, see Angela Stone doing Complimentary Styling Sessions Instore at Curate: www.biglittlecity.co.nz/shopping/curate. Angela is a brilliant stylist who knows how to dress women well – taking into account, colour, shape and age and giving her clients the confidence to be attractive and fashionable. Come and see her on 3rd of March at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. FREE ENTRY and a complimentary glass of wine – please rsvp to info@curate.co.nz

And if you’re coming to Britomart, don’t worry about the parking – it has never been so easy or inexpensive. Why not valet park all-day for only $15! (valet drop off just next to Curate on Gore Street), or $5 for two hours (validated with purchase from the Britomart area).  Here’s the link for more details: http://www.britomart.org/whats-on/5-dollars-two-hours-parking-deal.

Any questions??? Just email us and we’ll be happy to let you know the deals: info@curate.co.nz.

Tim Gruchy’s SCOUT or ‘Sentient Co-relator of Urban Transaction’

Have you seen the amazing new interactive artwork at Britomart?

Multi-media artist Tim Gruchy’s large-scale interactive sculptural installation ‘SCOUT’ responds to changes in its environment and communicates back via light and sound.

Read about it in Urbis here

LOFT Business Shirts in store at Curate

We’ve just received a fantastic selection of shirts by LOFT – French cuff, Italian fabric, Egyptian cotton, made in New Zealand!

Around $150 each. Brilliant! Plenty in stock and more coming soon. Come down and give them a try!

Late last year, David MacGregor shot an interview with Paul about Britomart and Curate and what we are trying to achieve with it for Image Nation.

As always, Paul is his passionate self.  Excuse the moustache – it was grown for Movember.

The Britomart area is coming back to life today with Curate, COOP, Kathryn Wilson and The Poi Room all open in our little corner of the precinct. And the city is full of visitors too  - who are, despite the weather, happily stopping at the shops and browsing the cool products on offer.

Come on down and see us today. We’ve got the perfect summer garments for your next beach party or barbecue,  or smart summer pieces for your return to work.

Hope to see you at Curate today!

We’ve deliberately designed Curate to be a flexible space for fashion shows, breakfasts, parties and exhibitions. We’ve already had a fashion show, a business meeting and the launch of the Breast Cancer ‘Save Seven’ campaign all in the Curate space.

Now we’re looking for expressions of interest from photographers or artists who would like to hold an exhibition in Curate. The space allows only for a modest exhibition by a single artist, but the opportunity for high visibility and shared promotion is valuable.

Exhibitors would need to manage all the costs of displaying the works (must be freestanding), but Curate would provide the space for free and assist with promotion to Curate fans and the greater art public.

So if you have an exhibition in mind, please call us to discuss the opportunity – email paul@paulblomfield.com.

It’s all happening at Britomart on Saturday 17 December for our first annual Christmas Market in Takutai Square.

It will be a bright , fun, festival atmosphere as the many traders and retailers in the Britomart district put on their best products and Christmas offers.

The ever popular bean bags at Britomart

For the kids, there’ll be face painting, cookie icing at Lululemon athletica, art activities at Kikki K and other fun surprises – including Father Christmas himself, fresh from the beach!

There will be stalls set up in Takutai Square and at Atrium on Takutai. Plus there’ll be the ever popular bean bags and a Macpac tent to play in on Takutai Lawn, a sizzling barbecue courtesy of Coast New Zealand and ever-popular ukulele group Tahini Jam will be setting the scene with their own lively brand of seasonal music.

And don’t forget the many gorgeous shops there offering up everything you need for your Christmas shopping, including Curate, The Poi Room, The Concept Store, Storeroom, Molotov, Ted Baker, Nike and Havianas.

And the new pop-up stores by COOP, Kathryn Wilson and Puma are all open for action.

A free gift-wrapping service will be available all day in the Atrium and at the Showcase, just in front of Curate.

To avoid parking hassles, use our 2 hours validated parking in the Kent Street carpark or $5.00 for 2 hours in Britomart (see Terms and Conditions). This has to be the easiest, cheapest parking in the city!!

So come on down to Curate and Britomart and enjoy the festival.

We have a lovely gift wrapper based out in front of Curate – wrapping your Britomart gifts for free!

Just drop in anytime from 12:00 – 4:00pm

Wrap it up at Curate!

Curate is in the most stunning building that actually glows at night. Here’s the view from Gore Street in last week with a gorgeous blue night sky.

Curate positively glowing on a gorgeous evening last week

Its Christmas time at Curate!

We invite you to join us for a glass of bubbles (or two!) to celebrate the festive season, and enjoy some amazing designer discounts in store.

WHEN: Wednesday December 14th, 2011

WHERE: 5a Gore Street, Britomart Auckland Central (opposite The Britomart Country Club)

TIME: 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Please RSVP by Monday December 12th to info@curate.co.nz or call 09 379 7500

NB:  This is not exclusive event for just mothers and daughters.  Bring your sister, friend or whoever loves gorgeous clothes, shoes, jewellery, handbags and skincare as much as you do!

Public parking for Curate is the nearby Britomart Carpark on the corner of Quay Street and Britomart Place.  Valet Parking is immediately next door to Curate – at the Corner of Gore Street and Tyler Street, click HERE for more details.