To complement their renowned service experience Crane Brothers has recently opened up their showroom with the addition of a private space for consultations. We talked to the team about this new development.
For those who may not know, Crane Brothers were established in 1999 and are the ultimate authority in New Zealand menswear. That is, immaculate, custom-made suiting and tailoring, hand-cut in Italy from the finest fabrics and then finished in their own Auckland Workroom to flatter and fit like a glove. From his shirt, jacket and trousers to his bespoke footwear, a guy dressed by Crane Brothers will look and feel exactly how he wants to on his wedding day – his absolute best.
What was the main driver to create this new space?
We have wanted to reintroduce a private showroom and consultation space for a long time, we had one in the original High Street store that was removed when we expanded. Crane Brothers is a very high-touch business and we can often spend upwards of an hour in a consultation or fitting – especially with wedding clients. Having a discrete area where we can take clients through our offer and fit them at their own pace is incredibly valuable and really adds to the experience for our customers as well.
Tell us about it. Does it have a name, or do the rooms have names? Where is it exactly?
The space is in our Shortland Street headquarters in the Jackson & Russell Building, just around the corner from our High Street store. The building is one of the oldest in Auckland and was constructed in 1918, and designed by architect Daniel B Paterson. It housed a range of professional practices, and reflected, at the time, a change in the High Street area from a neglected mixture of warehouse, commercial and residential uses to a well-consolidated business district, described as the hub of the legal fraternity. The building demonstrates the neoclassical style that was still the predominant force in the design of New Zealand at the time. Our floor retains most of the original heritage features including a warren of small chambers and anterooms.
What is the interior style like?
Like most aspects of the brand, we’ve kept the fit-out contemporary whilst still nodding to the past. We wanted the space to feel warm and inviting, and create an atmosphere that would make our clients feel comfortable and at home. We’ve dressed the space with furniture, art, and ephemera from Murray’s personal collection as well as the Crane Brothers archives so there’s a great sense of history and personality to it.
How do you see it being used in the future, and how will it be to the advantage of grooms in particular?
Initial consultations – especially for wedding clients – can be quite in-depth. As well as fitting the client, there are a wealth of options to explore and decisions to make, from cloth to styling, footwear and accessories. For grooms visiting with a wedding party or their bride-to-be, it’s fantastic, as it allows them to be the absolute centre of attention
Our cloth library adjoins the consultation room as well, which is both a great resource when putting outfits together and adds to the overall experience
Any other plans for the future you would like to share with our readers?
More than anything, with lockdown easing we’re excited to reconnect with our amazing clients. It’s going to be a very busy wedding season this summer, with a lot of ceremonies that have been moved from last year due to COVID in addition to the usual business. People are eager to get out and celebrate so they’re really going the extra mile to get dressed up and make the most of special occasions. If you’ve got an event coming up, our advice would be to get organised as early as you can!
For more information on Crane Brothers vits their website or Instagram feed
