Fashion: The Carpenters Daughter
Big Really is Beautiful in Takapuna
“You’ve got to look at yourself in the mirror and love it,” says Caroline Marr, Designer and founder of The Carpenter’s Daughter, the boutique fashion store for plus-size women
in Takapuna.
Her best advice for plus-size women
is to come into her store and spend some time.
“Have an open mind and allow us to dress you in The Carpenter’s Daughter style,” she says. “Our girls are trained and they know what they’re doing - I can make women lose 5kgs instantly, just by dressing them correctly.”
Caroline opened the flagship Carpenter’s Daughter store on Mt Albert Road twenty years ago and has since launched five more stores throughout New Zealand, including Takapuna’s Hurstmere Road boutique, which opened in November last year.
Catering to sizes 14 through to 24, The Carpenter’s Daughter has become the favourite boutique high-fashion destination for the fuller figure women. What makes it stand out is the emphasis on high quality customer service which, apart from making women look and feel amazing, is the most important part of The Carpenter’s Daughter experience.
All the clothing in the store is 100 percent New Zealand made, which is a point of honour for Caroline.
Wearing everything New Zealand made herself, from her shoes to her jewellery, she says she is thankful for New Zealand and always wears us - ‘It is not hard to do”.
“We’ve got a country full of creativity. I like to say we’re the first to see the sun so the rest of the world looks to us as New Zealand leads the day. ”
Her inspiration for The Carpenter’s Daughter came from the same feedback and comments she still receives today - women seem to
love her style.
And what’s making that Carpenter’s Daughter style
hot this season?
“Lots of black funky pieces teamed with Joan 90 knitwear, and jackets and coats as I don’t do shirts...we have two dresses especially for work that look great with our coats. The famous cape that Esther James inspired for the Winter 2010 range while walking the country in 1931.”
Another hot look for winter is Merino leggings and tunics down to the knee combined with knee high boots, which Caroline says she can fit to any leg. “I haven’t found a calf which I can’t fit one of my boots to yet.”
The Golden rule at The Carpenter’s Daughter is three piece dressing.
“It’s all about creating an illusion, and layering up with at least three pieces is the key to that,” she says. “I actually have a lot of women ask if we are using trick mirrors in the store. But we’re not, it’s an illusion, it’s the way I’ve dressed them.”
The feedback Caroline receives for these transformations is overwhelming positive, with clients speaking very highly of her work, often saying she has changed their worlds.
“The whole point of The Carpenter’s Daughter is to make a positive difference in women’s lives. Everyone has things they’re not happy with, but you’ve got to look in that mirror and love it - Bigger girls take up the space, so dress it, and dress it well.”
Channel Christmas shopping on...
