A New Chapter for Working Style in Christchurch
An extraordinary heritage building, a beautifully considered interior and a glamorous opening celebration. Working Style’s new Christchurch home brings a fresh perspective to the art of getting dressed.
Christchurch is enjoying something of a renaissance, and its fashion and design scene is giving us plenty of reasons to visit. The latest comes courtesy of Working Style, which has opened the doors to a beautiful new store on Montreal Street, celebrating the occasion with a glamorous evening that brought together friends of the brand and the city’s style-conscious community.
Located at 382 Montreal Street, the store is Working Style’s largest single-level retail space in New Zealand. It also represents a significant commitment to Christchurch, a city the brand has called home for more than 25 years. Rather than opting for a conventional retail interior, Working Style has embraced the character of a former wool store, creating somewhere that feels as much like a beautifully furnished private residence as a destination for contemporary menswear.
Founder and Managing Director Chris Dobbs speaks enthusiastically about the city’s renewed energy.
“There’s a growth, optimism and vibrancy in Christchurch at the moment that’s contagious,” he says. “The city has been very good to Working Style over a long time, so we have tremendous confidence in making a splash and investing in its future.”
It’s an exciting moment for the business, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2027.
A Store with Character
The interiors are particularly lovely, and a large part of what makes this new address worth visiting.
Designed by Bridget Thornton of Ithemba Design Studio (i-d-studio), a longtime friend and collaborator of Working Style, the space takes its inspiration from the building itself. Exposed timber ceilings and polished concrete floors provide an architectural foundation, while classical panelling, timber joinery and warm brass details introduce a more refined, residential sensibility.
We love the way vintage furniture has been incorporated throughout. A mid-century Danish rosewood cabinet, a Hans Wegner display table and Czech pendant lighting lend the space a collected quality, as though each piece has found its way there over time.
The art is equally considered. Photography by New Zealand artist Mark Smith sits alongside work by Fiona Pardington, while moving imagery from the latest Working Style collections introduces a contemporary contrast.
“There wasn’t one set style we were trying to impose,” explains Bridget. “We wanted to bring out the warmth already in the building.”
That approach gives the store its personality. There’s a lovely balance between the original architecture and the more polished details, with nothing feeling overly designed or precious. Even the signature brass retail fixtures have a story. Designed by i-d-studio more than a decade ago, they can be dismantled and reused, a thoughtful detail that reflects the brand’s longstanding appreciation for quality and longevity.
The Pleasure of Getting Dressed
For our readers, Working Style has an obvious connection to weddings and occasions, but its appeal extends well beyond the ceremony itself.
A beautifully tailored suit is one of those wardrobe investments that can continue to earn its place long after the wedding day. Whether dressing for a black-tie celebration, a summer wedding, or simply building a more intentional wardrobe, there’s something appealing about taking the time to find pieces that fit properly and feel genuinely personal.
One of our favourite aspects to the new store is a dedicated private consulting room, offering a more intimate and personalised approach to occasion dressing. We can imagine this being particularly wonderful for grooms and their wedding parties, who can enjoy the experience of selecting their wedding attire together, away from the bustle of the main retail space. Equally appealing for anyone dressing for a significant occasion, the beautifully designed private showroom offers an opportunity for one-on-one guidance, thoughtful consultation and a more customised experience. It’s a lovely way to make the process of choosing something special feel like an occasion in itself.
The Launch Event
Together Journal editor Greta Kenyon was among the guests in Christchurch for the opening, and the party was quite the occasion. The room was packed with prominent Christchurch personalities, familiar faces and friends of the brand, creating a wonderful atmosphere and a genuine sense of celebration. It was a fitting introduction to an impressive new space.
The new store offers room to explore the collections at a more leisurely pace, with an emphasis on personal service rather than hurried shopping.
“Working Style is about quality over quantity,” says Chris. “We want people to be able to take their time and find the right thing.”
It’s a philosophy we appreciate, particularly when it comes to occasion dressing. The experience of choosing what to wear should be enjoyable in itself, and the surroundings certainly make a difference.
With its wonderful mix of architecture, art, furniture and fashion, the new Montreal Street store is a welcome addition to Christchurch’s retail landscape. The glamorous opening celebration was a fitting way to introduce it, but we suspect the real pleasure will be returning when the festivities have settled, taking time to explore the collection and enjoying a little of that old-fashioned art of being beautifully dressed.
From all of us at Together Journal, congratulations to Chris and the Working Style team on this wonderful achievement and the continued growth of the brand. It’s lovely to see such a significant investment in Christchurch, and we’re particularly excited about what this beautiful new space will offer couples throughout Canterbury. From finding the perfect wedding suit to dressing the wider wedding party, having access to this level of personal service, expertise and thoughtful design is something worth celebrating. A wonderful new chapter for Working Style, and a very welcome addition to the Canterbury wedding community.
Working Style
382 Montreal Street, Christchurch
Open seven days, with appointments available.
workingstyle.co.nz
Photography by Carlo Gomez / Lowe Studios / @weddings_bylowe
