The Department Store

Overview

Whilst it still resembles a traditional department store from the exterior, and the layout has that department store-like look to it, The Department Store is a far stretch from any other department shopping experience. The place combines New Zealand's best, and offers them under one roof, providing Aucklanders with an entire day's shopping in just one shop.

Topshop, Ruby, I Love Ugly, Tigerlily, and Lonely Hearts are not exactly complementary labels, all shooting for entirely different aspects of the style spectrum, but The Department Store successfully ties the brands together fluidly, somehow managing to make the entire concept appear natural. Maybe they managed to make it work by accepting the madhouse that the top floor was destined to be and flaunting it, adding busy circus tent changing rooms and even throwing Stephen Marr hairstyling into the mix.

The first floor offers Lucy & the Powder room for those in need of beautifying, as well as The Dressing Room which offers our favourite Lonely Hearts, Miss Crabb and Meadowlark brands. And the ground floor is another example of curated craziness, with a botanical stylist, a coffee shop, Karen Walker, Blackbox, Nature Baby and the mens department. You'll get lost. You'll end up getting a pedicure instead of buying your baby niece an educational birthday present. But you'll have a blast.