Wilson & Dorset Christchurch

Pair the historical architecture of Christchurch’s Arts Centre with a beloved Central Otago lifestyle brand renowned for its sheepskin products, and you get Wilson & Dorset’s latest store in the heart of Ōtautahi.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Ben Wilson and Amanda Dorset over 19 years ago, the brand is well-known in Wānaka and the surrounding region. So when the opportunity to expand further up the South Island arose, Ben and Amanda leapt at the chance. Both have strong connections to the garden city, with Amanda being a born-and-bred Cantabrian and Ben having family in Christchurch. It’s been a long-held dream to open a store in the city and bring their brand values of quality, longevity and craftsmanship to locals and visitors alike.

Amanda was drawn to the Gothic Revival architecture and history of the Arts Centre, and has memories of visiting the weekend markets as a teenager. She teamed up with Melbourne-based designer James McNab to bring the Christchurch store to life. The result is a deep, rich interior that connects to the way Wilson & Dorset approach everything they do, rooted in nature and creating a cosy and inviting shopping space. The bespoke wooden cabinetry and stainless steel worktops provide a pared-back aesthetic, allowing the sheepskin to truly shine.

With a focus on replacing synthetic fibres in the home with sheepskin, a wonder fibre according to scientists, the products in Wilson & Dorset are so soft and snuggly to the touch, it’s an incredibly tactile shopping experience. Be warned, though, once you sink into their shaggy bean bag or run your hand across a sheepskin rug, you will be taking one home with you.