Crushes

Crushes has so much heart. Part vintage store, part love letter to Karangahape Road, they’ve curated a very specific kind of magic: you can feel it as soon as you enter. From the friendly welcome, the fragrance, the playlists - every piece in this special store is hand-picked and hard to find elsewhere.

Ever since opening in 2013, they have stayed true to their original kaupapa: championing slow fashion and Aotearoa-made goods. Now in a larger, light-filled space right on the iconic corner of Pitt Street and Karangahape Road, just a few doors down from where they began, they’ve grown in both size and scope, while always keeping the same heart.

Crushes exists to share what co-owner Rose calls “the best of the underground”. Every item in the shop falls under at least one of their core values: recycled materials, female-owned, hand made, pride-owned, socially-conscious, Māori and Pasifika-owned and/or small business. A place where you can purchase freely without guilt, as all of the hard work of finding ethical and sustainable pieces has been done for you. 

The range is broad, but never random. You’ll find locally made jewellery, gifts, homewares, art, clothing, candles and of course, plenty of excellent vintage. Their slow fashion section is a newer addition, showcasing recycled, handmade and independent clothing designers from across Aotearoa. The range leans modern, femme and cool, with beautiful pieces for men, women and everyone in between. They also stock a range of other sustainable home and body items, including reusable food wrap, refillable candles, recycled paper diaries and more.

More than anything, Crushes is built for its community. The inimitable Karangahape Road and its people have been their muse since the beginning - and now, as they continue to deepen their roots, they’ve evolved into running workshops, markets, clubs and events too - giving creative Aucklanders a slice of what’s made them so successful: a place to gather, make things and support each other.