YOYO rolls into Auckland
YOYO Design by Kiwis has rolled into Ponsonby. You can now discover quality, innovative Kiwi-designed furniture, homeware and lighting all under the one roof.
Todd and Fiona Hayvice named the store, which first opened in Wellington in 2011, after the classic children’s toy – evidence that great design can have an infinite lifespan.
Furniture is in Todd’s blood, he’s the third generation in a Wellington family of renowned furniture manufacturers and retailers.
Growing up as willing chief duster and merchandise displayer, his eye for design was rewarded with his own line and a country theme store in Christchurch to open and run.
After some time as a Cantabrian, Todd moved to Sydney, keen to try his hand in the international furniture market.
A chance meeting with a buyer from David Jones took him from start-up to success overnight. His home accessories wholesale business sold to nearly 100 Australian retail stockists.
Now an established name in the industry, Todd was offered a position in the Australian head office of furniture giant IKEA.
As the store’s upholstery manager, he worked alongside the head design team in Sweden, masterminding annual designs for the Australian market and eventually assisting with the set-up of the second largest store in Europe.
Returning to New Zealand, Todd and Fiona were perturbed that Kiwi design was not being spun-out on its own shores.
‘‘New Zealanders have such creativity but limited retail platforms to champion and showcase their talents,’’ says Fiona.
‘‘We wanted to change that by drawing on our design and retail experience to offer furniture, homeware and lighting designed by Kiwis,’’ she says.