Worn with new Redeemer belt.

Worn with Virgo Slip.

Worn with Virgo Slip.

Worn with 100 Years Ago Dress.

Worn with Virgo Slip and Deliverer Belt.

Worn with Virgo Slip.

Worn with new Athena belt.

Worn with Diamanda Slip.

Worn with Virgo Slip.

Our ‘Fleetwood Mac’ in red silk and the beautiful hand knitted sweater ‘Love Burns’ by Penny Sage featured in the May 2nd issue of Viva. Such stunning images - thank you kindly Viva!

We are so excited to present the beautiful new winter collection from Penny Sage, Fever Dream.

To Celebrate the beginning of a new season, Papershoes are once again taking over the Miss Crabb store, for one week only, to showcase their Autumn Winter collection. This year it’s all about classic styling with a slight twist.

From Thursday May 3rd until Monday May 7th, Papershoes will have their full range of new seasons styles on display for you to view, try and buy.

Favourite designers Bass, Swedish Hasbeens, Bloch and Loeffler Randall are joined by new comers to Papershoes, Opening Ceremony, Dieppa Restrepo and Gee WaWa.

We look forward to seeing you there.

There is nothing quite like the fierce affection that loyal customers have for Kristine Crabb’s boutique and the labels that it stocks. Whether their collection of pieces from the store has been built and refined over several years, or consists only of the treasured first ball dress kept lovingly at the back of the closet, there is a certain sense of pride in the voice of Miss Crabb’s clientele which is quite distinct from the pretense one might usually associate with brand dedication.

The aesthetic of the house label sits nicely somewhere between the simple, flawed beauty of wabi-sabi and a darker romanticism. While Miss Crabb pieces are lauded for their simplicity, this is not clothing made for simple girls. From the wispy silk lingerie, pared-back shifts and camisoles to the rompers and dresses heavy with drapery, these are pieces to move in. Dress shapes often fit bodies and personal styles which might otherwise only be catered for by New Zealand labels in several shades of black. There is a tendency for her pieces to resist easy recognition; you could know the label and still not identify them instantly on a wearer who has made them her own.

The store has stocked pieces by a variety of international and local designers, some of which have become mainstays. Currently complementing the Miss Crabb collection is Penny Sage, a selection of coquettish dresses and structured separates by designer Kate Megaw. Natural fabrics are lovingly hand-painted and dyed, vibrant colours are washed out to watercolour tones to convey a sense of delicacy and timelessness with each garment.

Fitted in between these beauties are the signature knitwear pieces, equal parts ephemeral and sinister, of designer Areez Katki. Although the crafty look of the pieces belies the thoughtfulness of the construction process, it seems that their dishevelled prettiness is a key reason behind their cult appeal. Each garment is hand-made, often using yarns and fabrics created by Areez himself to form his signature cobweb-delicate dresses and jumpers. The designer is as much of a fixture in Miss Crabb as his namesake collection, holding court on Sundays with tea, homemade baking, and banter as witty and quietly intellectual as his creations.

The accessories on offer vary widely but tend to provide a certain edge to the gentility of the clothing. Recent jewellery in-store has had an organic aesthetic. Ceramic necklaces by Claire Mahoney feature oversized and gilded clay beads, whilst necklaces and bracelets from Bedrock Bones are strung from miniature bone-shaped beads. A carefully curated selection of footwear from overseas brands rarely stocked in New Zealand is provided by Papershoes.com’s lingering pop-up store.

Settled inconspicuously down the quiet end of Ponsonby, Miss Crabb is the perfect place to begin a well-loved collection. Or merely to spend a Sunday morning, having tea amongst beautiful things.

Special thanks to Sophie Curlett for the kind words, Frances Carter for beautiful photographs and Ben Walls, the mastermind behind rousemagazine.co.

Beautiful Claire makes beautiful ceramic jewelry - you may have already seen it instore, but if not, come and have a look. We spoke to Claire about her affinity for Krautrock, favourite vintage finds and the tactility of clay.

What is really important to you in what you create? What is your background?

I went to Dunedin from Auckland to visit some friends when I was in my teens and never came back until very recently. I ended up going to art school there and when I finished started an artist run space called Rice and Beans with a couple of others. I stayed in Dunedin because I got hooked on the time and space that the city allowed me. I was able to concentrate on my work and develop it in my own time amongst a group of very supportive other individuals.

Tell us about your inspiration, references and catalysts for creating.

I started making wearable objects in a pretty unconscious way. I spent heaps of time in the ceramics department at art school and at the museum or library looking at ancient forms and materials. The first pieces I made were for myself, then friends. It’s expanded from there. I think the most important thing is that I make stuff that I would wear myself.

I have always enjoyed the tactile nature of ceramics and the fact that it takes a long time to find out if you’re pieces have worked or not in many cases! Strange things happen in the kiln, you have to be prepared for surprises and disasters. I love working with simple ceramic forms then throwing them out of balance with the decadent gold luster.

What are you listening to?

Cluster, Tangerine Dream, Harmonia, Neu!, La Düsseldorf - I love krautrock, it’s probably my favourite genre. Some more off the top of my head include Suicide, Earth, Chrome, Silver Apples, Holy Modal Rounders, Robert Wyatt, Crude, Kraus, Loren Connor, Richard Young, Yahowa, Gram Parsons, Townes van Zandt, Pere Ubu , Modern Lovers, It Hurts, Billy Childish… I could go on for a very long time.

What do you like to wear?

I’m a creepy crepe monster. I’ll lap it up in all non-synth forms. I also love leather, cotton, silk jersey, 1930′s lounging pyjamas and wool - when I’m in the dark south.

Five favourite pieces of the moment?

Motoko Kikkawa’s incredible scarves.

The Prince of Butchers beautiful folk-esque jewels.

I’m thrashing a pair of 60′s bright yellow cigarette pants that have illustrations of French wine labels all over them.

A pair of pull on black elastic boots I found at a garage sale in Dunedin. I’ve never seen anything like them.

Clara Chon aka Blue Blank’s amazing bondage bags.

Tell us a little about your Winter collection.

It’s in the kiln!!!

Thank you to our gorgeous friend and majorly inspirational babe Jude Mitchell for this feature in her cool magazine, Verve. Check out today!

The Penny Sage ‘Someplace’ dress is elegant and easy, whether belted or left loose. We like it so much that we’ve had it recut in new winter colours; pink, burgundy and khaki. Instore now at Miss Crabb, the ‘Someplace’ dress is $450.

We’ve made special editions of four ‘classic’ Miss Crabb dress styles. The ever popular Fleetwood Mac, Autumnal, Rise and Sovereign dresses are available in beautiful new colours and fabrics.

Fleetwood Mac in navy

Autumnal in grey

Rise in red

Sovereign in creme

Visit us in store to check out more colour ways.
All styles worn with Opening Ceremony ‘Coachella’ ankle boots in black from Papershoes.com.

It’s wedding season, and that means finding a dress, shoes, accessories – and of course, the perfect gift for your friends – for the bride as a pre-wedding treat, or for the newly married, loved-up couple.

May we suggest…

Miss Crabb Summertime Dress

In yellow, in pink, in black, in a rich, russet red. These dresses are the simplest of silk slips, ankle length and light as a feather. Paired with your favourite heels or simple sandals, they’re elegant and wearable – and perfect for summer weddings in the sunshine. Worn belted or no, they’re effortless.

Penny Sage Eternal Sunshine Dress

These silk tunics have silk chiffon inserts, just slightly, giving a soft ombre effect. In cream and a navy blue colour, they’re very pretty and look lovely with a pair of chunky heels – perhaps one of the pairs from Paper Shoes we have in stock…

Miss Crabb Fleetwood Mac Dress

For dancing late into the evening, for dinner, for the reception… The Fleetwood Mac dress is available in a deep red, navy or black. Cap sleeved, with an asymmetrical hem, we love this silk number for its versatility – wear it backwards and demure or buttoned down the front for a peek of décolletage.

{Miss Crabb also offers a special order service, if one of these dresses seems like the perfect thing for bridesmaids or an event in the future, please contact the shop.}

Curio Noir

Tiffany Jeans’ makes divinely scented candles that are contained in handblown glass. The scents include such delights as Tubereuse Noir and Chypre Gardenia, a beautiful gift for any bride-to-be. We also love her homeware collaboration with artist Richard Orjis, Curio Cloth. A hand-printed, heavy linen tablecloth or napkins make an artful addition to any new home.

Nina’s Flowers

You may have noticed the beautiful flowers in store at Miss Crabb. They’re fresh, seasonal pieces created by Nina Powierza of Nina’s Flowers. We think she’s the best florist in Auckland – and her wedding flowers are magical.

www.ninaforflowers.co.nz

Papershoes

Papershoes have a carefully selected array of the best shoes. We adore their heels – whether they’re Loeffler Randall or Opening Ceremony; you’re sure to find something lovely to adorn your feet for a wedding – guest or bride. A selection of Papershoes are available at Miss Crabb.

Bedrock Bones started in 2009 , inspired by the Flintstones and childhood memories. Bedrock was originally a mix of pastels and fun brights – it’s now developed into a range of subtle, sexy and glittery pieces to compliment everything you wear. Designer Monique Saville shared her inspirations and excitements with us.

Tell me about your inspiration, references and catalysts for creating.

The Flintstones, 80′s cartoons, Japanese kids, cuteness and things like that inspire me. I don’t really read blogs or magazines or get influenced by fashion and trends. Its more imagination based, but I guess everything that goes in comes out somehow!

Which films, books, magazines and albums are your favourites?

My favourite books are the Moomin series! I have been reading them since I could read and before that my mama read them to me. They are Finnish, and set in Moomin Valley in Finland and its an awesome mix of happiness, sadness, adventures, danger and imagination. Very melancholy! I think these and all the cartoons I love are what created my huge imagination and love for everything cute! Really love the Ghibli films too. I’m hugely into documentaries, love learning what’s going on in the world, as New Zealand is a little untouched bubble. Grey Gardens is a documentary every girl should watch. Albums… A Smashing Pumpkins album, The Black Keys, or Elvis. I’m a diehard Amy Winehouse too. Fave magazines are definitely the Japanese mags for girls. I want to eat the pages!

What do you like to wear?

I only wear things that are comfortable, I like fabrics that feel soft and nice! I’m low maintenance - I like cute stuff and I love hair accessories and nail polish.

Five favourite pieces of the moment?

My red and white polka dot dungarees from Lu and Co in Yokohama. My Doc Marten floral mary janes. Bedrock Bones bracelets stacked on the wrists, huge Pebble Hairbones and my old Smashing Pumpkins tee.

Tell us a little about your winter collection.

The inspiration was mermaids and black magic! I discovered this cool way of coating bones with powder glitter so everything is bright and glittery with some awesome gold on white and gold on black too. New coloured stone skulls make it all POP! I’d say my Japan trip last year too played a little part!