Penny Barnett is on a mission to create the most attractive outlet shop ever – and she is well on the way to succeeding: her purpose built shop adjoins Michael Nalder’s stylish new premises and on the racks are exquisite clothes by Trelise Cooper, arguably New Zealand’s boldest, bravest and most colourful designer.

The shop is modeled closely on the popular Richmond Road, Ponsonby outlet store, and is the only shop south of Hamilton stocking Trelise Cooper exclusively. Here you will find overruns from the previous seasons’ collections, samples, and clothes that may have tiny irregularities.

“If there was something that you thought was gorgeous in last year’s collection, you will often find it here at a greatly reduced price,” says Penny.

With many clothes reduced by around 60% off the original price, the racks provide rich pickings for people at either end of the size 8 – 18 spectrum. But there are also bargains for size 12-14s, as some styles have a full range of sizes available. The children’s range caters for ages two to 12. With new stock arriving from Auckland every week, the shop is a veritable treasure trove of lovely garments.

Penny set up the shop and continues to run Designer Clothing Gallery, on Thorndon Quay. Wairarapa ladies Virginia Love and Niki Knight, who both have backgrounds in fashion retail, are running the shop.

Penny says she has always had a passion for Trelise’s clothes since the pair met in Wellington in the 1980s and Penny has followed her meteoric rise to international fashion star over the past 20 years.

“We always kept in touch, and when I was selling clothing in Auckland, I got tired of the boring corporate 90s clothes so I rang Trelise and coaxed her back into selling her clothes by appointment. From there she’s just got bigger and bigger.”

Penny says Trelise is one of the most prolific designers she knows, and the creativity, variety, and sheer number of styles in each range continually amazes her.

“I love her courage. She doesn’t worry about whether a piece will sell or not - she does what comes from her heart and soul. Her style reflects a strong woman who can be vulnerable.”

Trelise Cooper clothes lend themselves to being mixed not matched in eccentric combinations but Penny believes that often a creative guiding hand is needed in this process, which is where Virginia and Niki can help.

“Women want to be offered something a bit unique, and Trelise clothes offer that. A garment by Trelise Cooper is something that you’ll own for a long time and it will always be a special piece.”

Maybe that special piece is just waiting for you right now.

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