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24 April 2011

Company of Strangers designer Sara Aspinall takes us on a tour of Dunedin.

When we think of Dunedin we can reflect on a youthful haze commonly associated with student life. But as the South Island’s second largest city, and home to such celebrated fashion labels as Nom *D and Company of Strangers, there is more to this city than just being a temporary home to thousands of university students. Sara Aspinall is the perfect local to expand our horizons and introduce us to the best that this beautiful historic city has to offer.

Plato-8, the best restaurant in Dunedin. It is full of clutter – there is so much awesome crockery, coffee pots and paintings that you want to fill your bag as well as your tummy. My fiancé Bill Munro runs the place, so I go there heaps…he puts on great intimate gigs in the Billards room too. They are only open for dinner except on Sundays for Brunch. (Birch Street, Dunedin)

Plume, my favourite shop. It’s the only place to buy Company of Strangers in Dunedin. The store stocks Margiela, Rick Owens, Nom * D and Zambesi as well as heaps of others.  When I drop off stock I have to run past the shoes, as I’m addicted…(310 George Street, Dunedin)

Modern Miss, Violet Fagan has the most beautiful selection of vintage clothing. Here you’ll find 40s crepe dresses, 50s gowns, but I love the collection of sunglasses and did I mention all the shoes? (Moray Place, Dunedin)

Whiteroom, right next to Modern Miss, there is a great design store that has David Trubridge, Sam Foley Paintings, furniture by Simon James and a cool collection of ceramics from various parts of Dunedin and NZ. (Moray Place, Dunedin)

I also love driving down the harbour and going to The Broad Bay China Shop.  They have rooms of Crown Lynn and Royal Albert. All the china you could imagine! I have banned myself from there for a year, as I can’t help but leave with boxes full of stuff! (13 Waikana Street, Broad Bay, Dunedin)

Discovery World Tropical Forest at The Otago Museum, is my favourite place to take my daughter Frankie Madonna, as the beautiful tropical butterflies are hatched there daily and fly around and land on you, all in 40 degree temperature (rare for Dunedin). It’s a great place to go in winter!  We were so inspired by it, we got a swan plant and our own butterflies for the workroom.