Golden Goose Is the New Fashion Store in Newmarket That Will Have an Artist Draw on Your Clothes

Customising clothes and accessories isn't a new phenomenon by any stretch — you'd be hard-pressed to find a local accessories brand that won't stitch your initials into its leather goods.

But a new arrival to Auckland's retailer scene is taking the personalised approach one step further. European outlet Golden Goose has in-store artists and creators on hand to add embellishments, messages and even hand-drawn illustrations to its goods. The result? Totally bespoke one-off pieces.

The brainchild of two Venetian designers, Golden Goose launched in Italy in 2000 and quickly has become one of Europe's most famous ready-to-wear brands. Previously New Zealanders have only been able to purchase its signature items — including the purposely worn-in 'dirty' sneakers celebs made headlines with a few years back — through third-party fashion outlets like Superette and Far Fetch.

But its first uber-opulent 160sqm Auckland store has just opened at Westfield Newmarket, paying homage to the brand's Italian roots with Venetian wrapping paper on the walls and an antique Italian wood herringbone floor.

If you're a sneaker fan you'll probably be the first in line to try Golden Goose's trademarked Sneakers Maker service — a chance to create an ultra custom pair of kicks adorned with your choice of messages, embellishments and most impressively, drawings. You can also give your sneakers a 'worn-in' appearance which takes us back to the days of purposefully scuffing our school shoes.

Does all of this come cheap? Of course not. The prices are eye-watering — you might pay close to $1000 for a single pair of artisan sneakers. But you'll get the kick out of the fact you're the only person in the world wearing that exact pair.

Golden Goose's first New Zealand outlet is open now at Westfield Newmarket, in shop 148A on Level 1.