The Crossing at Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival
When New Zealand Fashion Week announced its first-ever Christchurch event, we had a feeling it would be a good weekend. As it turned out, several of our retailers were heading straight for the runway—and one of our spaces would host a conversation worth having.
The Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival ran over three days in early November, bringing runway shows, designer events, and panel discussions to Ōtautahi. For The Crossing, it was a chance to see some familiar names in a new light.
Saturday Night at James Hay Theatre
The George presents The Spring Edit brought together a lineup of established New Zealand designers, each selecting their standout pieces of the season. Creative director Dan Ahwa curated the show, and the result was a high-energy evening showcasing in-season looks from the likes of Juliette Hogan, Karen Walker, Ruby, Kowtow, and Kathryn Wilson.
Among the names on the runway were four you can find right here at The Crossing. Workshop – home to Helen Cherry’s sophisticated designs and Workshop Denim’s selvedge classics – has been a force in New Zealand fashion since 1980. Juliette Hogan, who designs five collections a year from her Auckland workroom, continues to build on two decades of thoughtful, locally made garments. Ruby brought their signature warmth, while Jamie Kay reminded everyone that beautifully crafted clothing isn’t just for adults. The Canterbury-born children’s label has built a loyal following worldwide, and their only Christchurch store sits within our precinct.
Seeing them all take the stage together was genuinely lovely.
An Afternoon of Honest Conversation
Earlier that day, Elements by IHF on our first level hosted Beyond the Runway: Style That Lasts. The panel brought together three voices worth listening to: Peri Drysdale, founder of Untouched World, who has spent over 30 years proving that sustainable design and lasting style aren’t mutually exclusive; Gayle Burchell, Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer at THE ICONIC; and stylist Lou Heller, whose approach to personal style centres on reconnecting people with what they already own.
The discussion covered practical ground—how to think about fashion as an investment, why quality outlasts trends, and what it actually takes to build a more considered wardrobe. It was the kind of conversation that leaves you thinking differently about your next purchase.
Visit the Labels
Fashion festivals are exciting, but what made this one feel significant was simpler than runway lights and packed venues. It was seeing designers we work alongside every day recognised on a national stage, and watching our spaces become part of something bigger.
Workshop, Juliette Hogan, Ruby, and Jamie Kay are available at The Crossing year-round—not just during fashion week. If the festival piqued your interest, their doors are open. Come browse, try something on, and see what drew the curators’ attention in the first place.
We’re already looking forward to next year.