Rosalind C.'s
Shops selling international treasures, locally
- 11Asia GalleryKilbirnieA couple of years ago I used to constantly see this beautiful woman about town always glamourously decked out in the most gorgeous of silk kimonos. She seemed to have an endless supply of them so I assumed she must have had spent years in Japan and have very deep pockets. One day I told her how much I admired her kimono collection and she leaned forward and whispered "Do you want to know a secret? There’s a place I get them nearby and they are dirt cheap!". And this is how I discovered Asia Gallery, a gorgeous little treasure trove of gorgeous vintage silk kimonos all imported from Japan. And, they start from $25! I now own a number of them and am always delighted to introduce friends to my dirt cheap secret tucked away in Kilbirnie.
- 233For a couple of years I lived just around the corner from Moore Wilson’s and stupidly I always forgot to go in for my weekly groceries. For the last year, however, despite living much further away, I have been visiting on a weekly basis and was delighted to remember the abundance of speciality foods available. If you are wanting to make a dish that requires an ingredient that is only typical to Asia, Europe or even Africa, it’s likely you’ll find it at Moore Wilson’s. Since rediscovering Moore Wilson’s, my dinners have become all the more exotic and the pages of my Spanish cookbooks have gotten dog ears. I certainly don’t forget to spice up my weekly grocery shop any more with a visit to Moore Wilson’s.
- 37Trade Aid WellingtonTe AroTrade Aid is a little slice of heaven for trinkets from all over the world, and on top of that, it’s sells them with a good honest work ethic philosophy. Trade Aid is a not-for-profit fair trade organisation that sells imported gifts from developing countries. I drop by frequently to pick up little nic nacs as interesting gifts, to decorate my home, for affordable and unique jewellery and accessories. The products are all high quality and all affordable. The store is tended to by big-hearted volunteers who donate their time so that the profits of the store can go towards education and advocacy work on fair trade. For feel-good shopping enthusiasts!
- 44I Love ParisWellington CentralJ’adore I Love Paris! I often find it hard to find the range of interesting and unique shoes locally but I Love Paris has them in abundance. The shoes have that European je ne sais quois that I love to find. Something glamourous, chic and without prioritising practicality - yes please! They sales are also fantastic and it’s typical the shelves get cleared when they are on.
- 52SkandiIsland BayDespite all of the furniture in this store being retro ranging from 1950 to 1980, you wouldn’t be amiss to mistake it for today. Skandi imports beautiful Scandinavian retro furniture from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Masters of design, they have a beautiful modernist feel to them, but are made of top quality woods (some of which are no longer allowed to be milled) that give them warmth so they don’t feel sterile. Skandi has the most stunning range of Scandinavian lights and lamps that made great centrepieces for a room. Collector’s pieces ranging from Johannes Anderson to Børge Mogensen.