Designer Ingrid Starnes’ main design inspiration has been the 1940’s and the vintage-y vibe of every piece reflected that. So it is no coincidence that the team handpicked a location in Newmarket that was built the same time…
Tessuti + Ingrid Starnes in Newmarket is undoubtedly the Yin to their Ponsonby branch’s Yang – each a polar opposite of the other. The differences between the two stores would make a curious cat wonder and, Thread being one of those cats, thought of our visit to the opening party of their pop-up store a good time to have some questions answered.
Designer Ingrid Starnes’ main design inspiration has been the 1940’s and the vintage-y vibe of every piece reflected that. So it is no coincidence that the team handpicked a location in Newmarket that was built around the same time (1939 to be exact). Talk about attention to detail.
I’ve also been told by one of the lovely staff/hosts for Ingrid Starnes that it wasn’t a marketing move; their intention was to simply put their clothes and items in a completely new environment – an environment that’s rustic and homey. I believe the crowd in attendance would agree.
With garbs as well-produced as those of Ingrid Starnes and pieces as exclusive and unique as the range that Tessuti carries, it’s not an impossibility for people to think of them as an “untouchable – reserved for the elite” brand in general. Their new, quaint space can (and will) easily dissolve this notion.
Like every home, there are a several pieces that stood out from the rest. The triple-striped top is a personal favourite from the store’s Ingrid Starnes collection and the interconnected test tube vessels from the Tessuti range.
The Missoni collection though was the unrivaled, most loved item from the entire lot making its way to NZ’s social network grapevine (check your Twitter & Instagram feeds) even before the party reached its peak.
There’s more instore for people from all walks of life so be sure to pay them a visit at 13-15 Kent Street, Newmarket or for those online afficionados, http://shop.tessuti.co.nz & http://store.ingridstarnes.com/
Words and photos Diane Pantoja
1 June 2012
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