children of vision...

Children of Vision is a concept store that has a very personal touch; co-owners James Dobson (Jimmy D designer) and Vicky Chan (owner of online store generalcucumber.com) hand pick very special pieces from a wide range of designers that have one thing in common - pieces that are interesting in construction and design and will appeal to customers that certainly don't want to look like everyone else...

Children of Vision is a smallish space that is lit like a gallery with clothes and other objects displayed in a very artistic manner - James told me they had arranged the clothes in three sections - the very quirky, colourful labels (my favourite section), tailored, suiting,tee shirts, shirts in blacks, navy, grey and white in another, and earthy colours, cotton, deconstructed, japanese-inspired pieces on another. I could write forever about all of Children of Vision's labels, but will just focus on the few that I personally liked. The store also stocks Kitsune candles and Pam and Deadly Ponies jewellery and handbags.

Hong Kong label Hoiming makes 'mischievously elegant' handbags that are really mini works of art. Arts graduates Hoiming and Pui design bags around how they will 'look on the body' and 'exploring new ways of carrying things' COV had two designs that I loved - the electric blue and black Cloudy bag and the umbrella-inspired Raining tote bag. James tells me one of Lady GaGa's entourage brought a Cloudy bag.

Kylie McKenzie's Dear Prudence label is a fairly new kid on the block, I particularly liked her Fellow Deer drawstring pouch with braided strap. These bags are beautifully (hand) made from hides sourced from her father's business. I hear Zambesi's leather-sewer also works on Kylie's bags.

Peter Jensen is one of my favourite designers, his designs are the perfect mix of femininity, vintage-styling, preppiness and quirkiness that I love in a look. Peter is Danish, based in London and is a Central St Martin's graduate. I am currently dreaming of the cream silk crepe Frill dress in stock, it has a peter pan collar, ruffles and is pretty and prim.

Romance Was Born are a Sydney label that is a mash up of crazy prints and influences, the design duo Luke and Anna also famously turned down internships with John Galliano! This exciting label's winter collection is called Nightmare on Wall Street and pieces show the excess of the 1980's in prints and cuts. Big shoulders, bold over the top prints, body con, gold lace, leather, a cool constellation print, my favourite piece is a cloth purse with cloth US dollar bills hanging out of it.

Andrew Mark Smith makes the perfect men's shirts in my opinion, if your man is a perfectionist when it comes to his shirts, check out this label for beautifully cut shirts that are nicely slim fit with collars that are just right.

Jimmy D's winter collection, Prism Effect uses a diamond print in it's many guises on tee shirting pieces in 100% cotton. As always Jimmy D's design is intelligent in it's construction and also great for layering.

Cooperative Designs are Central St Martins graduates who specialized in knitwear. Their designs are graphic, out there and wonderful! Most pieces in COV currently are black and white from the Stacken Blochen collection.

Last but certainly not least, Bernhard Willhelm is a Paris based, German born designer who has his pieces constructed in Japan. His design is truly art and he is famous for beautifully clashing pieces, creative-dying processes and just a general off the wall wackiness! Love the Yam - Blade Tec dress in store now.

Visit Children of Vision in St Kevin's Arcade on Krd, Auckland or their online store here