Fruitbowl - Fresh Ideas from Hawke's Bay

A young fashion entrepreneur is looking to make the hottest fashion labels accessible to fashion fanatics everywhere at the click of a mouse.

The just launched www.wight.co.nz sells a range of carefully selected edgy and bold New Zealand and international labels, including Cybèle, Maurie and Eve, The Cassette Society and POP! Eyes.  The selections are complemented by the jewellery line House of Harlow, designed by Hollywood A-lister Nichole Richie.

The online fashion store is the fulfilment of a dream for its 24-year-old owner, Brodie Morgan, who says the store is for true fashion addicts.

“It’s fashion for people who aren’t afraid of fashion.  They like clothing that’s a bit different, a bit quirky, but they know that they can still wear it.”

Brodie brings a wealth of fashion buying knowledge and a business brain to the venture.  After completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University, she managed the Kate Sylvester store in Wellington, and then further honed her international buying skills with Stable, a multi-brand clothing retailer carrying labels such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nudie and Cheap Monday.

“I always knew from being involved in the Young Enterprise scheme at school that I wanted to be in business, but I’ve always loved fashion too, so to be able to combine the two is a dream come true,” says Brodie who, despite her fashion eye, wasn’t ever tempted to be a designer.

“Buying was always my favourite part of the job and I’m so glad I’ve had that behind-the-scenes experience as well as working on the retail side.  It’s all been invaluable for establishing my own online store.”

Brodie says wight.co.nz is bringing designer labels to those living outside the main cities in New Zealand and internationally, and those who love to shop online for their fashion for convenience or just because it’s fun.  “On-line shopping is only going to get bigger and better.”

She believes that the point of difference of wight.co.nz is her keen fashion eye and the valuable additional information for customers.

“There’s a lot of extra information - from trends and how to wear an item, to measurements and washing instructions.  Of course that’s combined with the highest levels of customer service, so that my customers can have complete confidence shopping online.”

The store name acknowledges Brodie’s Dad, Chris Morgan who she says has been a huge help to her in setting up the business.  “Wight is part of his middle name.  And I love the colour white – my wardrobe’s full of it!”

She says it’s difficult to describe her typical customer.  “They’re confident of their personal style, whatever their age, and like to express that through their fashion choices.”

“My Mum lives in the Middle East, and struggles to find clothes she likes.  Like me, she thinks New Zealand and Australian fashion has a lot more personality, so I think there will be a number of women her age who appreciate easily being able to buy cutting edge fashion, no matter where they live.”

“The Cybèle and POP! Eyes labels will probably appeal more to that market and other labels will cater to younger buyers, with more being added as I learn more about my customers and what they’re looking for.

“I’ll be closely monitoring how the different labels perform, what items sell and the feedback I receive.  Then it’s down to me.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Brodie Morgan
Phone +64 27 319 3051
Mobile 027 319 3051
www.wight.co.nz