French Connection Arrives in New Zealand

Whether their witty abbreviation "FCUK" makes you giggle or blush it certainly made you take notice and today New Zealanders can welcome French Connection into our fast expanding accumulation of fashion stores. Last night I had the pleasure of attending their Nuffield Store Opening.

French Connection Store Opening in Nuffield Street Auckland

I spent ten years living in London where I developed a fondness for this brand with it's big impressive store in Oxford Circus. It was one of my go to stores for years, featuring the right level of emphasis on quality and offering trend driven styles.

Since launching in London in 1972, French Connection has had a cult following both in the UK and abroad. Now with nearly 400 locations around the world, French Connection has become famous for its high quality, statement pieces and edgy marketing initiatives, celebrating the personal style of men and women around the globe and innovating in the fashion market by consistently pushing the boundaries. 

French Connection Mannequins

It's another big player arriving into New Zealand, alongside the recent opening of Seed Heritage Stores and Top Shop Last year. It's certainly confirming fashion's obsession with Global Brands, however we are reaping the benefit of their huge buying power, which means they can offer competitive prices.

FCUK Models in the Lastest Collection

I spoke with Katy King, French Connection's General Manager, she informs me that the range will be edited from the UK collection with changes and enhances made specifically for the New Zealand climate and customer. This is a big plus as some of the international brands may not have a chance to alter the product mix for us specifically. 

The store is opening with a 20% discount today and the range features some cosy textures, and layering pieces ideal for our current cold snap. The colour palette offered lashings of  and neutral grey marle, winter white, camel and black. Looking forward to see what they will inject into the mix for summer and hopefully seeing some use of brighter colours we all crave at the end of winter.  The prices are reasonable and the new staff chatty and pleasant ready for doors to open today.

 They also let me know the plans are underway and confirmed for a Riccarton Mall, Christchurch French Connection store opening in about 2-3 months. 

Looking forward to adding French Connection to my Shopping Circuit.

Barkers Brings It

It is truly inspiring seeing a New Zealand Company not only emulating their international competitors but actually leading the way. Barkers Menswear Clothing has turned it's image around so much so in the last 18 months it hardly compares to it's former self. Known predominantly as "King of the Unisex Trackpant" (no I did not own a pair)

Barkers Newmarket Store Window in collaboration with Koko Classics

The edgey, rustic and homely feel they have given to their stores is even more impressive as this same aesthetic runs throughout the whole brand ethos, and even their websites, making the brand very cohesive and appealing.

Barkers Store Window

Whilst the garments feature all the signature and key pieces you would expect of a leading menswear brand, the added points of differences keep it trendy and fresh and the new completed stores are a pleasure to shop in.

The website has been impressively overhauled as well. But most of all we love that Barkers has worked with talented New Zealand Manufacturers for some amazing woollen blankets, leather products and knitwear... and that is something we absoltuely love. 

Shirt Bar at Barkers

See you soon Barkers.

Closet Confidential Gets Officially Blogged

We are getting all fancy at Closet Confidential and have come over all technical. In the last few weeks we launched our new website, Instagram and pinterest pages. Today we get really crazy and launch the blog!!  

It's an exciting time for us. What can you expect?

• Store Profiles - what clothing and accessories stores and brands are worth trying. What their new season is looking like.
• Updates of what new styles are in the stores and any great finds.
• Interesting musings as we take Closet Confidential to a whole new level.
• Regular travel updates from exotic worldwide locations as we travel the globe. Ok well this one is a bit of a dream. but as we actually have made it to Bali this week then expect at least one travel update soon.

Looking forward to our new journey.

xx Charlotte

Closet Confidential gets Instagramified!

Closet Confidential has been taking big steps lately. After a year of messing around on Facebook we're pleased to announce we are now flirting with the visual joys of Instagram. We haven't dumped you Facebook, you will always be our first, but Instagram feels like our shiny new toy and we just can't put you down. Follow us now www.instagram.com/closetconfidentialnz

Keep up with us and our new adventures, big ideas and lots of shoes coming soon.