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Dedicated fans of the Miu Miu label - the original diffusion line by Miuccia Prada - will soon be able to save themselves an airfare. In a few short months, Workshop will become the first New Zealand store to stock the brand - and it will have everything from shoes, bags and dresses to more budget-conscious items like wrist cuffs, belts and head bands.
Many of the world's elite fashion brands won't sell outside their retail environments - it's all about the right environment at that level of fashion market.
Prada and Gucci are among those, and designer Chris Cherry, who with his wife Helen is behind the Workshop and Helen Cherry brands, says it has taken about a year to secure this retailing coup and the approval of the Prada and Miu Miu company in Italy.
"With most of the international brands we stock, we write to them, show them photos of the stores and the collections we buy, and they are usually, like, 'Yeah, sure'.
These guys were like, 'Yes, the stores are beautiful' but then they came back to us with a huge list of other questions. It took us about 12 months to make this happen and, after talking to other retailers, apparently that's the fast track," says Chris.
Although she didn't get to meet the legendary designer Miuccia Prada, Helen says it was a thrilling experience going to a buying appointment at Prada in Milan.
"It's all based in this beautiful house and there are several floors of clothing and accessories, with the top floor a restaurant. So you have an appointment, then you go upstairs for lunch. It's all very beautifully done," says Helen.
But before you get too excited and start pulling out your credit cards - Miu Miu clothes are priced similarly all over the world so there's not too much point in going anywhere else - bear in mind that the first consignment won't arrive at Workshop's flagship Newmarket store until February next year.
Sale ahead
You may want to hold off your Christmas shopping until you've been to Mrs Smith's sale. Does great aunt Nora really need another scarf when you could put that towards something fabulous for yourself? There's up to 70 per cent off the retail price of one-off designer clothing, bags and accessories from design luminaries such as Marni, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Stella McCartney, Prada and Chloe. The sale starts tomorrow from 10.30am-8pm and runs through Friday to Saturday between 10.30am-3pm at 8 Cleveland Rd, Parnell. Or, for an appointment call 021 720 965.
Put a ring around it
Got a shoe fetish? Or maybe a more unusual keyring fetish? Or both? Then no doubt, Overland Footwear will tempt you with its offer next month. Overland has made some cute $10 shoe lover's keyrings as limited-edition stocking fillers - and anyone who buys one goes in the draw for one of 10 $300 gift vouchers. For store locations, see www.overlandfootwear.co.nz or call 0800 OVERLAND.
It's a boy thing
It seems a number of local girls are taking the trend for "boyfriend clothes" and a more masculine style seriously. Local gentlemen's outfitters and suit makers to the stars, Crane Brothers, reports women have been coming in to try on men's clothes. In particular the slim fitting, cotton, gingham shirts by Gubb & Mackie - yellow or red check if you're channelling Elizabeth Taylor, Bridget Bardot or Ellie May Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies - and the loose, tailored trousers from Little Brother, if you're seeking an antidote to skinny pants.
Crane Brothers, 2 High St, Auckland. Ph (09) 377 5333.
