A MODERN EDGE

To enter the refined elegance of Filigree’s flagship store on Colombo Street in Sydenham is to discover the essence of Filigree Fine Jewels. The showroom is an extension of owner Vanessa Stowers’ personal design aesthetic, her love of colour, detailed and thoughtful eclectic design, and a sense of timelessness defined by quality and style.

Known as the jeweller for people who are looking for something individual or bespoke, Filigree’s service is very much about building a relationship with clients, with a desire for you to be a part of the design, from selecting gems through to completion.

With an onsite workshop, you can visit at any time to view the jewellery progressing through all the stages. The designers are also experts in remodelling and repairs for those who want to transform or enhance the life of jewellery beyond the everyday.

Alongside diamond and precious stone rings and wedding bands, Filigree presents an ever-evolving collection of fashion-oriented jewellery and bespoke one-offs, all adhering to the Filigree timeless modern ethos. The latest collection,Shard,draws inspiration directly from the formation of the natural stones themselves. From within the earth, the elements are drawn together then exposed, and fragments juxtapose raw abraded edges with polished facets. Structures within and without the gems are honoured in clean minimal lines and diamond set details. Their inherent natural beauty is defined and enhanced in the designs made by Filigree.

Visit the showroom today to view the new collection or contact Vanessa and the team for a complimentary design consultation.

filigree.co.nz

A LEAP OF FAITH

TOLD BY Chris Dobbs PHOTOS Supplied

It’s 2001, and we felt Working Style had a firm foothold in the North Island with stores in both Auckland and Wellington, but we didn’t have a presence in the South Island. We had so many clients asking when was Working Style going to open in Christchurch – so we took a leap of faith. We opened on Colombo Street opposite Ballantynes. Our current Creative Director, Karl Clausen, a local boy, helmed the business, and we were away. The fit-out was consistent with our other stores at the time – a quirky take on a men’s club and, at that time, perfect for our tailoring centric collections. We wanted to ensure that our stores, as we still do today, are a joy to visit and spend time at.

“That first 10 years flew by, and in 2011, we moved quickly to find a new location post quakes, to re-establish the business. The corner of Murray Place and Papanui Road in Merivale became our home. The character of the building had beautiful charm, surrounded by established trees synonymous with Merivale. Each room of the house showcased our different collections, and like the original Colombo Street store, it was important that the store felt like a place you could dwell and spend some time.

“By the time 2020 rolled around, we had been looking to move back to the central city for a while, and when a stunning location popped up which had been developed by Richard Peebles – we jumped at it. Not only had shopping habits changed and shifted back to the CBD, but Working Style as a company had also evolved. No longer solely a tailoring specialist, we are now a contemporary clothing company. New casual lines had been developed and introduced, and it was important our new location showcased these.

The store at 102 Oxford Terrace, adjacent to the Bridge of Remembrance and next to Riverside, is a cracker. The interior is spacious, finished with polished concrete floors and has a stunning high ceiling.

“We are very proud of our new Christchurch store – I hope that we are here for a hell of a long time!”