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= Design Emporium NZ =

Our Story - Design Emporium
Design Emporium is an e-commerce clothing business based in Napier, New Zealand. Caroline Lawrence, who has been in the clothing industry for 35 years, launched Design Emporium in November, 2022.

Design Emporium is the home of exclusive women’s slow-fashion clothing and sustainable hand-picked brands. Classically cool and designedly different, it’s the place to visit when you want something you won’t find everywhere else.

Outlined by Caroline Lawrence, owner of Design Emporium -

The inspiration behind Design Emporium

After 2020, I wanted to have a business that could operate from anywhere. With an idea from a friend and quite a bit of brainstorming help from my business and marketing friends, I was able to launch Design Emporium at the end of 2022. That was definitely a 'champagne' moment.

I am going through Menopause and have been for 10 years now! Wearing quality garments made from natural fibres has been a life-saver and I also realised that to pay a bit more for slow-fashion has been fantastic!

What makes Design Emporium unique?

Design Emporium offers hand-picked sustainable, quality designer items and timeless pieces that you won’t find anywhere else in NZ.

Right now, that’s c.l Linen, c.l Basics and we introduced a fabulous Australian brand named who’s Charlie under the banner of Design Emporium.

Moving forward we’ll be working with small businesses that offer unique items and we’ll be creating our own. There’s a collaboration or two on the cards and we’re always on the lookout for exclusive new products.

Design Emporium’s philosophy

Design Emporium will only offer products and clothing that are made-to-last and won't date! According to The Ellen MacArthur Foundation - a new textiles economy (2017) if we wear our clothing twice as long our environmental impact will be 44% lower.

What’s next for Design Emporium?

Design Emporium will be a place that people keep coming back to.

We’re always thinking about what it offers from a customer perspective so our social posts will be fun, inspirational and interesting, and our design pieces will be cool, classic and covetable.

It’s not just about selling products, I really want people to enjoy visiting Design Emporium.

Caroline Lawrence - Brand Story
Here, we have spoken with Caroline Lawrence, owner of Design Emporium, to hear about her career and inspirations.

Where did your career in fashion start?

I’d have to say high school! I had a fabulous teacher who really encouraged me to follow my dream. From there I went on to do a Diploma in Clothing and Textiles at Wellington Polytechnic and that really cemented the idea that I wanted to be involved in fashion.

What was your first job in the industry?

My first role was as a junior pattern-maker for a leatherwear brand in Christchurch, which expanded into pattern-making and machining before setting up my own leatherwear company in Wellington, called Carrenzi.

Who have you worked for?

After taking a year off to travel, I moved to Auckland, working as a pattern-maker for some of the fashion industry’s most prestigious brands – Jag, Peppertree, To-a-T, Rage Menswear & Vamp.

I really learned a lot from some of New Zealand’s top designers and fashion icons. After being made redundant many times due to the 1990's change in tariffs I needed a stable job so I worked for Deane Apparel where I learnt a lot about business. They sponsored me into the Benson and Hedges Fashion Awards for two years running and was a finalist in both years

When did you move to Hawke’s Bay?

I moved to Hawke’s Bay in 2001 to be closer to family. I had a young baby, Billie, and she was my inspiration for starting Billie R Designer Kidswear. Fashion and Design must be in her blood because now Billie’s running the social media for Design Emporium while holding down a full-time job. Her side hustle!

After my son, Alex, was born in 2003 I worked as a Designer for MacKenzie Country and then set up a Manufacturing plant in Napier, offering design and pattern making direct to clients.

Caroline Lawrence is an established brand, what made you change your approach?

I started the Caroline Lawrence label in 2012 offering new designs, dressmaking and alterations from my studio in Westshore. The Caroline Lawrence brand has built up a loyal following with repeat clients, which is amazing given that all the clothes are made to last.

2020 changed everything though. Suppliers were struggling to get interesting fabrics, and the available material didn’t deliver the variety I’d previously been able to offer. That led to a rethink in the way we do business. The label was streamlined to showcase our best-sellers – linen, basics and knitwear!

What was your inspiration for setting up Design Emporium?

After 2020, I wanted to have a business that could operate from anywhere.

As I have been going through Menopause, for 10 years now, wearing garments made from natural fibres has been a life-saver (see why in the fabric care tips…) and often paying more for quality items helps to support slow-fashion.

With an idea from a friend and quite a bit of brainstorming help from my business and marketing friends, I was able to launch Design Emporium at the end of 2022. That was definitely a 'champagne' moment.

who's Charlie - Brand Story
who's Charlie offers a unique women's slow-fashion range of lovely linen, viscose/cotton and soft organic cotton dresses, shirts, tops and t-shirts.

Celebrating fun, wearable fashion they are driven by the desire to match the right piece for the right occasion. They are an Australian based wholesaler operating out of Melbourne who predominantly have their styles manufactured in India by a group of dedicated individuals who are committed to their craft.