Jewellery Gallery Showcasing Local Works

The National is a Jewellery Gallery that showcases and sells both collectible and accessibly priced jewellery by emerging and established artists from around New Zealand, as well as a few international jewelers. It is one of the best places in town to find a truly special wearable piece that will stand out from the crowd.

Located on the fashionable block of High Street, between Lichfield and Tuam, The National rotates about ten exhibitions per year of solo or group works. The current exhibition (March 1-27), is by Kay Van Dyk, an Ashburton gal now living in Nelson, who's necklaces make comment on the environmental impact of the farming industry on the Ashburton River and local area. Made of copper, silver, enamel, and found objects, her pieces bear enamel tags making reference to local sayings like "Ashvegas", places, or to birds, fish, and signs of pollution. Other artists works currently on display at The National include those created by Christchurch based jewelery artists Elfi Spiewack, Rob Upritchard, and Jennifer Braithwaite - whose floral leather necktie pieces are visible in the gallery's front window (see the image below).

What makes The National a noteworthy local spot, is the mission and passion with which gallery owner Caroline Billing operates the space. Caroline is dedicated to providing a stage for jewellery artists, and is passionate about educating people about the value of these artists' craft. "It's not an easy decision to make a living as a jewellery artist. I think if people are aware of the amount of time, work, and talent that goes into creating a brooch or necklace by hand, they will appreciate it as a one-off piece of art." Caroline is lucky enough to work closely with these artists in order to communicate the story, meaning, and technique behind each artists' pieces to gallery browsers and customers.

To learn more about the artists currently or previously featured go to The National's website.
Make sure to pop though The National before March 27 to browse the current exhibition.

The National
158 High Street, City Centre, Christchurch
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10.30 – 5pm, Sat 10.30 – 4pm

High Street Boutique Readys Itself for New Pop-Up

Infinite Definite is a shop on High Street housing some of the city’s most unique fashions. Opened in December 2008, by young entrepreneurs Bob Weatherford and Jono Moran, Infinite Definite set out to create a different shopping experience to what was already on offer in Christchurch. They began with a small concept of carrying a unique mix of independent brands in a gallery type setting. A year and half on, they are enjoying a growing reputation as a shop where one can find a fantastic selection of high quality, artistically driven fashions.

Infinite Definite carries NZ based and international brands such as Karen Walker, Lonely Hearts, 27 Names, and Cheap Monday, as well as Bob and Jono’s own individual ranges, Hype or Tension and Infinite Definite, respectively. Infinite Definite also carries fashionable shoe brands, like California based Keep, and Schmid, designed by the same person behind Alexander McQueen’s sneaker line.

Infinite Definite is soon to offer even more, as they prepare to expand the shop through to Lichfield Street in the coming months. Simultaneously, they will open another storefront, two doors down on Lichfield. This separate space, called Dead Seat, will bring another truly unique fashion experience to Christchurch. The space will serve as a sort of guerilla pop-up store and gallery, but in the same location. Dead Set will not be open on a regular basis, but rather only for exclusive sale periods of a few days/hours at a time. Sale collections will vary and include preview clothing for the existing Infinite Definite space or for themed sales like the anticipated “Past Tense” sale of collectible vintage and second hand goods.

For news and updates from Infinite Definite, including the opening of these new spaces and the launch of their new website, become a friend of Infinite Definite on Facebook.

Infinite Definite
184 High Street, City Center, Christchurch

Franz Tormers Artspace and Store

Franz Tormers is a recently opened shop and artspace, located in Bedford Row. The designers and artists in-residence above the shop, contribute to the various collections of graphic tees, art prints, tote bags, and badges that are available in the storefront space. For updates to art space parties and showings, befriend Franz Tormers on facebook.

Franz Tormers Artspace and Store
16 Bedford Row, Christchurch
Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-4:30pm, Sat. 11am-3pm

Meadowlark Jewellery

I became a fan of Meadowlark from coming across their jewellery at Infinite Definite, a shop on High Street. Meadowlark is created by Claire and Greg - two young New Zealand based designers with previous experience, respectively, in running fashion label Urchin (until it’s sale in 2004), and in visual arts and design for well-known brand Huffer, before turning focus to their present craft in jewelery design.

All of their collections are cast in silver and include a range of unisex pieces - necklaces, long pendants, rings, bracelets, earrings and cuff links. Their Starwood Lane and Mini Collections include a diamond cut out pendant (bling bling), swallow bird earrings, and anchor shapes. For ladies, we're loving the silver 'belt bracelet' in the Fit to Be Tied Collection.

Meadowlark is available at Infinite Definite (184 High Street) in Christchurch. Other New Zealand stockists are listed on the Meadowlark website.

NG - Boutique Cafe Gallery Space

NG is a boutique, cafe, and gallery space, located near High Street and Poplar Lane on Madras Street. The boutique features fashions from top designers, many of which are European. I stopped by through recently and scored a gorgeous pair of slip on shoes by UK based designer Meher Kakalia. The cafe is nice spot to relax with a coffee and magazine with it's high ceilings, big arched windows, and comfy designer furniture.

NG
212 Madras Street. Christchurch