racket

From a sculpted flagship store on Hamilton's Barton Street, racket designs and trades considered clothing for modern life. Alongside N-E-S (short for New Essential Staple), which carries more than a quarter century of New Zealand-made heritage, they've fashioned a home where statement garments sit beside elevated everyday essentials. Where Waikato locals find clothing to be worn and loved for years rather than mere seasons.

Step inside and the space reads more design studio than traditional shop. Beneath white-painted beams, a monumental stone counter swirled with blue anchors the room, brushed steel plinths showcase jewellery and eyewear, and floating timber shelves cradle sleek handbags and sunnies. At the back, velvet curtains lend the fitting rooms a touch of elegance, while hints of the brand's electric blue appear throughout. It's a place where you're not only welcome, but encouraged to linger a little longer - try a few things on, ask for some advice, and leave more confident than when you came in.

racket's house collection sits at the heart of it all: wearable staples, modern tailoring, considered knitwear and statement pieces stitched with the custom RKT stripe (an in-house print that evolves with every season). Founder Kate Harris wanted to create something that reflects how women dress today. Pieces that move from Monday morning meetings to Friday night dinners, that work as hard as the people wearing them, without compromising quality or style.

Emphasising their slower, deliberate approach to fashion, both racket and N-E-S are designed in-house by Kate, so styling advice can come straight from the founder herself. The team helps build wardrobes that work together rather than simply selling pieces, and also offers a curated edit of complementary brands including Ksubi, BRIE LEON, Banbé Eyewear, Status Anxiety, Blak, Chaos & Harmony and Castel & Co.

At a time when so much of fashion has drifted offshore, racket is proudly local - designed and made in New Zealand - and a welcome addition to the city's growing cohort of creative, independent businesses. From their handy spot in central Hamilton, they operate on a humble premise: create beautiful, lasting garments and relationships, from a space worth returning to, season after considered season.