I'm always on the hunt for new, standout online shops - so when the owner of Wight.co.nz, Brodie, introduced herself I was absolutely ecstatic. What a gem she has!

Wight, a New Zealand-based web store, is designed for fashion lovers across the globe who are all about bold self-expression. The shop features a select number of cutting-edge designers - handpicked by the owner herself - making catwalk-ready style an effortless venture. This cohesive collection of just five lines can be easily mixed and matched, too, resulting in an ultra-unique wardrobe.

I chatted with Brodie more about her store. Here is what she had to say....

 

What's the story behind Wight? How did you get started? A little background please!

Of course!

I have adored fashion for as long as I can remember and have always desired to be a part of the fashion industry. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce I started my career in fashion, managing the Wellington Kate Sylvester store - here I was introduced to buying. I remember my first trip to the Kate Sylvester work room in Auckland to buy the next collection and coming home and saying “I love my job!” Buying quickly became one of my favourite parts of the industry. More buying opportunities came when I moved onto manage a high fashion multi brand store and it was from here that I decided I wanted to combine my buying and business skills and plunge into the ever expanding online fashion world. And Wight was born!

I wanted to provide clothing and accessories for women who would adore fashion as I do, I wanted to make it easy and fun for them by enabling the ability to shop from home, the office, their phone! And I wanted to provide fashion for women who find it difficult to access the brands they love as I know this can be very frustrating.

It has been a dream for a long time to have my own business, absolutely love what I do every day and be totally absorbed in the fashion industry – now that this dream is happening it’s quite surreal and I feel very lucky.

How would you describe the Wight girl?

 She likes to express herself though what she wears, she likes to push the boundaries and LOVES to be different. She wears colour and pretty dresses. She’s elegant, edgy and maybe a tad eccentric. She’s a head turner!

You have a very bold and unique group of brands available on your site. Tell us a little about them. What do you like about these brands? Why these designers?
I wanted to sell brands that were very fashion. I wanted the pieces to be bold but still very wearable and I wanted my customer’s excitement levels to sky rocket when they browsed the pages. I think that the brands Wight has available take care of this!

Maurie and Eve is quite beautiful and ladylike, The Cassette Society had an edge and is fearless, Cybele is a great representation of New Zealand fashion, her style is beautiful yet has a significant point of difference, POP! Eyes has a WOW factor, and House of Harlow – well that speaks for itself – this brand is super hot.

I think they complement each other and you can really mix and match them and have some fun with it.

Who else would you love to add to your shop?
There’s a long list! But three from the top would be… 

• Stolen Girlfriends Club – love their collections!
• Twentysevennames – adorable!
• And the lovely Therese Rawsthorne. 

Your favorite piece(s) you currently have in store?
Ooooh there’s so many! But Top Five would have to be ONE - Maurie and Eve The Fame Dress. TWO - Cassette Society Lace Key To Me Dress. THREE - House of Harlow Riveted Bangle. FOUR - Maurie and Eve Rumours Thick Stripe Dress. FIVE - Maurie and Eve Off The Wall Quilt Skirt.

Oh and can’t forget Cybele’s Solemn Long Wrap, I can’t wait to snuggle into this when it gets colder!

Who is the ultimate style icon, in your opinion?
I couldn’t pick just one. So… 

• Agyness Deyn – she’s fantastic the way she manages to mix pretty with grunge, I’m a little obsessed with her style.
• SJP as Carrie Bradshaw – I think she’s a true representation of fearless style.
• Whitney Port – an adorable wardrobe.
• And pretty Alexa Chung, I love keeping up to date with her outfits.

I’m very inspired by these ladies.

What's the future hold for Wight?

To keep growing by increasing the brand makeup and awareness of the boutique. Also really hitting the international market – I really want to provide other countries with New Zealand and Australian Fashion because it’s fantastic and I don’t want them to miss out! I’m very excited to see where Wight and I go!

Thanks Brodie for taking the time to chat!

xo

So, what do you think? I just love her style! Great taste, yes?

More Wight:

Shop Wight.

Check the Style Guide.

Get the Newsletter.

Follow on Twitter.

 

 

{all images courtesy of wight}

For all you vintage and secondhand lovers out there, you must check out Rice and Beans Vintage, an independent online shop that features vintage and designer goods, each handpicked by the store's owner Sarah Korsiak Cellier.

I had a little chat with Sarah this past weekend. Here's what she had to say about her bustling little establishment:

What sparked your interest in vintage? What pushed you over the edge to make your biz happen? A little background please :)

Cyndi Lauper is who sparked my interest in vintage clothing! When I was little I LOVED Cyndi Lauper and bought my first piece of vintage, a 1950's red crinloline skirt, so that I could dress like her. I started Rice and Beans Vintage as it is today, an independent website, after the birth of my son about two-and-a-half years ago. I wanted to continue dealing in vintage and designer clothing and be able to stay at home with him.

You put many a consignment shop to shame with some of the finds you have there. Where do you get all your goodies?

You are so sweet, thank you! I have a variety of places where I source my vintage and designer clothing from. They are of course a secret though :)

I love the name. What's the story behind "Rice and Beans"?

The name Rice and Beans Vintage came out of a nickname my love gave me a few years back. He used to call me Ms. Rice and Beans because supposedly I am full of spice and sass in all the best ways!

What (or who!) inspires you?

In life, things that inspire me are people who selflessly give of themselves to help others without expecting something in return, my little guy, my love, and nature. As far as fashion inspiration goes: Kate Moss, my gorgeous friend and model Mak Gilchrist, people who take creative liberties with fashion and break out of the norm, Cyndi Lauper of course, my sister Anna, and the list goes on.....

Name your favorite piece(s) you have in store right now?

Wow, that's hard! For Vintage it would have to be this fantastic Vintage 60's HANBURY Navy Blue & Red Military Inspired Wool Coat & for Designer our Vintage 80's GUCCI Nautical Resort Handbag w/GUCCI Name on Front & Rope Detail.

In your opinion, what's the ultimate (I'm talking make you weak in the knees) vintage find?

I have fantasies of finding ten or more pairs of Vintage Chanel flats in every color, all in their original boxes. Or 10 or more pairs of Vintage Gucci Boots in their original boxes. For me this would be the ultimate find. Can you tell I love shoes?

Name the criteria you keep when you are on the hunt for store-worthy items. What are you looking for?

First off, I am looking at quality & condition. Everything at Rice and Beans Vintage must be in excellent or very good vintage condition (with a few exceptions for rare pieces). I look for pieces that withstand the test of time, classic pieces, but also pieces that can translate to today's trends.

In your search for vintage wear, you must come across other interesting finds - do you collect anything else?

I have gone through many collecting phases over the years. It is hard not to pick up other vintage items along the way, but I have become more discerning over the years. Let's see, in the past I've collected Vintage Mexican pottery, vintage post cards, vintage lamps, vintage records ( I still do). Now I mostly collect vintage clothing, shoes, & accessories as well as mid century furniture. I have a slight obsession with chrome!

Any future plans for growth? Or do you want to keep this strictly an online enterprise?
For now Rice and Beans Vintage will stay purely an online store, although I would like to have a by-appointment-only showroom in the future.

Do you have any advice for those trying to incorporate vintage pieces into their wardrobe?
Start simple and wear what you love!

My guess is that searching for vintage goods can be quite the adventure. Any funny stories to share?

Let's just say I have been in some very odd houses and met some very interesting people over the years!

...I can only imagine! THANKS Sarah, for taking the time to talk with us!

Be sure to check out her online store - you will love! The prices are incredible.

One of my favorite pieces (that's still available) is the Vintage early 80's FENDI Ruched Leather & Patent Leather Handbag/Clutch. What's yours?

{images from rice and beans dot com}