Karen Walker 20th Birthday

It’s hard to believe the Karen Walker Newmarket store has been there 20 years; I used to sell the label in my store and remember well when it opened…

Not too many fashion labels thriving today have been around twenty years. One that has gone from strength to strength and is now an internationally-renowned success, is Karen Walker.

The empire all started here on this site, in what was the quiet corner of Newmarket retail, in 1993. It’s hard to believe the Karen Walker Newmarket store has been there 20 years; I used to sell the label in my store SUN Clothing, and remember well when it opened. To the 20th birthday party I thought it would be a nice homage to her to wear pieces of 20-year old vintage Karen Walker and my collection of her badges from over the years. She instantly recognised all the garments – the striped sweater, grey wool pants and black jacket and badges and was surprised I still had them and joked, "well done, you still fit them!"

Back in ’93, Karen and her advertising creative husband Mikhail Gherman had run a series of ads taking off the KFC store well known at that location, replacing the Colonel Sanders face with hers and the slogan "Karen Walker is coming". Now, ironically, the Karen Walker store has outlasted the KFC restaurant and we describe the corner of Balm Street and Nuffield Street as "Karen Walker corner" and it’s become an anchor for one of Auckland’s most fashionable retail areas.

We headed along on Wednesday 14th August to the Balm Street store to celebrate Karen’s 20th birthday. For me, it was more special than your average store opening or anniversary event. Because of the long-standing relationship, and her length of involvement in the local fashion industry, it felt like a really important milestone, and everyone seemed to join in and celebrate this with her. Karen gave a speech thanking her workers who have been with her for many years and to the customers and all who’ve supported her. Happy birthday, Karen. Here’s to many happy returns.

Below: Jade Leigh Kelly, Karen Walker, Megan Robinson.

Below: Murray Bevan and Carolyn Enting.

Below: Four Eyes bloggers Chin, Alex, Danny, and Mino.

Helium balloons!

Below: Th ecrowd sang happy birthday as Murray Bevan carried in the birthday cake, made by Jordan Rondel of The Caker.

Below: Jordan Rondel of The Caker cuts the cake she created decorated with real rosebuds. There were also matching cupcakes with the famous Karen Walker logo, ‘Runaway Girl’ on the edible printed icing.

The cupcakes were very photogenic! Below: Me making Four Eyes hold them up so I could Instagram them! There’s no eating to be done until Instagram is done.