KOOKAÏ Opens Its First South Island Store

For anyone who’s been ordering KOOKAÏ online and wishing there was somewhere local to try things on, Saturday is the day that changes.

KOOKAÏ opens its first South Island boutique at 160 Cashel Street, Christchurch on 9th May  and it’s a bigger moment for the brand than it might appear. On the same day, KOOKAÏ makes its United Kingdom debut with a flagship on London’s Carnaby Street. Two cities, two openings, one Saturday morning.

Founded in Melbourne in 1992 by Robert Cromb and Danielle Vagner, KOOKAÏ has spent more than three decades earning a following built on consistency rather than noise. Collections are designed exclusively from the Melbourne studio and released weekly , a steady rhythm of pieces that sit somewhere between fashion-forward and genuinely wearable. The kind of wardrobe that builds on itself rather than starts over each season.

The Christchurch opening has been a long time coming in the best sense. The South Island has grown into one of KOOKAÏ’s strongest New Zealand markets online, with revenue up 180% over the past three years. Christchurch customers have clearly been committed, shopping the brand from a distance, parcel by parcel. Saturday is simply the point where a physical store finally meets that existing demand.

What’s in store right now is the Autumn/Winter collection: rich knitwear, well-cut denim, tailored suiting and versatile sets. Pieces designed to work together and carry across seasons rather than date quickly. If you’ve been drawn to KOOKAÏ’s aesthetic online, seeing the fabrics and fit in person makes a real difference.

Visit on Opening Day – Saturday 9th May

To celebrate the opening, the first customers through the door will receive red calla lilies in signature KOOKAÏ packaging, along with KOOKAÏ-branded chocolates; a good reason to make the trip on opening day!

The boutique is located within The Crossing on Cashel Street, one of Christchurch’s best retail precincts; the kind of place where an afternoon of browsing doesn’t feel like a chore.

Doors open Saturday 9th May. Worth adding to the weekend plans.