Kate Sylvester is closing in 2025 after 30 years in fashion retailing. Photo: Kate Sylvester By Louise Ternouth of RNZ New Zealanders are turning away from high-end fashion when it comes time to refresh their wardrobes, with op shop chic likely to be a big look this summer. Figures from Stats NZ show retail sale volumes per person have been falling for the last two-and-a-half years - and some clothing retailers are feeling the pinch.
New Zealand designer Kate Sylvester will be closing down in 2025, and in Auckland Juliette Hogan has shut its Ponsonby shop, while department store Smith and Caughey's has closed its Newmarket store and significantly downsized its CBD operation. At the same time, the appetite for pre-loved, more affordable designer clothing is quickly growing. Kate Sylvester's Ponsonby store closed its doors last weekend and shoppers in the suburb told RNZ it was sad news.
"I did go in and purchase two pairs of her favourite jeans that she styles because I didn't want to miss out. I've lived in this area for a long time, over 20 years ..
. it will be a sad loss," one woman said. Another shopper agreed it was a shame.
"Because I do see that people do go in and buy stuff quite frequently, but I'm guessing volumes aren't enough to keep them where they currently are." The Juliette Hogan show at New Zealand Fashion Week 2023. Photo: Getty Images for NZFW / Brendon Thorne "With kind of the economy, the way that it is at the moment, having three retail stores in Auckland.