When Kristine Crabb throws a housewarming, you know the whole ‘hood will roll up. Thursday night ushered in a new era for Gloria, the latest fashion project from the beloved designer, a celebration of its fancy new retail space at 8 Ponsonby Road, Auckland.
Entering ‘Chez Gloria’, all senses hit you: incense wafting through the floaty fabric dressing rooms, DJ Creamy Mami pumping aural delights, a wall of silver reflecting the diverse crowd from all angles as they perused racks of cream lace, crushed velvet and candy-coloured silk.
Long-time fans and friends of the designer showed up in their finest Gloria and Miss Crabb ensembles to celebrate the official opening.
The shop quickly packed out as more guests stood shoulder-to-shoulder, sharing neighbourhood gossip over East Imperial gin and tonics, Thomson Whisky sodas and decadent nibbles by Prego. You couldn't help but notice the diversity of age and contrasting characters who shimmied through the doors. Crabb has her tentacles spread widely through Tamaki Makaurau's creative scene, that's why her events feel so different to your regular fashion ‘sip and bitch’.
Like everything Crabb does, Chez Gloria appreciates the ‘come as you are’ spirit. Everyone looked fabulously hot, slightly dishevelled, and ready for an after-work drink. The Shelter shop girls arrived accidentally matching as ‘Gothic sailors’, Search and Destroy's Alison Reid and Katie Rogers were rocking their punk beauty, Di Ludwig from Welcome Back Slow Fashion rode in wearing a vintage red woollen cape. Seeing so much authenticity, talent and support in one (very beautifully designed) room was heartwarming.
Photographer Olivia Renouf captured some of the creative crowd from the evening.
