The countdown to the new David Jones Auckland store opening is on.
Poised to open on 21 November as part of the $790 million flagship Westfield Newmarket redevelopment, it will become the second David Jones department store in New Zealand following the opening of David Jones Wellington in 2016.
While many of the details are being kept under wraps, here is what we do know:
1. Aucklanders are set to get their first taste of Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Chloe et al.
David Jones Wellington brought several top luxury brands to New Zealand that had not been available to buy here before, and we can safely assume Aucklanders too, will soon be able to get their hands on the likes of Balenciaga, Fendi, Valentino and Alexander McQueen. We can expect to see jewellery brands at David Jones Newmarket such as Amber Sceats, Reliquia, Sarah & Sebastian and of course, Meadowlark and Karen Walker Jewellery.
2. David Jones can always be relied upon to pull the big names.
The launch of their Spring Summer 19 ‘On the Bright Side’ campaign, which presented a selection of the best of David Jones’ Australian and international collections, drew in a fashionable crowd to see it in person at the Sydney Opera House in September, including P.E Nation’s Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning; influencers Brooke Testoni, Elle Ferguson and Carmen Hamilton; designers Kate Sylvester, Carla Zampatti and Bianca Spender; and David Jones ambassadors Jessica Gomes, Victoria Lee and Tom Derickx. We hear Jessica Gomes might be making an appearance so expect a similarly impressive crowd for the Auckland opening.
3. Along with select luxury brands, international contemporary designers will get their first New Zealand look-in.
We can also expect contemporary brands Ulla Johnson, Rejina Pyo and Rixo to be in the mix – the first time some of these brands will be available on our shores. Nanushka, another equally cult-status brand, is also said to be in the line-up, along with Kenzo, Khrisjoy, Aje and Camilla and Marc.
4. New Zealand designers will be well represented – including two newcomers.
A pre-New Zealand Fashion Week dinner hosted by David Jones at Auckland’s Sid at the French Café saw NZ designers Kate Sylvester, Karen Walker, Twenty-seven Names, Meadowlark Jewellery, Deadly Ponies and DJs newcomers Wynn Hamlyn and Harris Tapper seated at the table. Safe to say, we’ll soon be seeing their designs on the David Jones Westfield Newmarket shop floor.
5. Hold onto your hats, Gucci Beauty is heading our way.
Gucci recently announced the first chapter of their new beauty offering—starting with the brand’s luxe lipsticks—will be available from November 21 in David Jones Newmarket. Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele wanted the collection to channel old Hollywood glamour worn by starlets of yesteryear, explaining: “I thought back to the lipsticks I saw in my life, when I was little, my mum’s lipstick, who was always inspired by the 50s, and I wanted to give it the most powerful meaning, that of the Hollywood divas and the mythology of cinema, which first put the lips in the spotlight.”
6. David Jones is just the beginning of a new and improved Newmarket.
While there should be plenty to keep you entertained at David Jones alone, the rest of the Westfield Newmarket redevelopment will be opening in stages, with a completion date this side of Christmas so plenty of options for your festive season shopping. Along with David Jones, you’ll find around 200 stores across five levels, including a gourmet food market, cinema and rooftop dining precinct.
This article is brought to you in partnership with David Jones. The new David Jones Newmarket store is set to open in Westfield Newmarket, Auckland, on November 21 2019.
