Nifty new market for Christchurch
Christchurch is getting a new boutique weekend market, and it has Rosie Carroll to thank.
The Nifty Markets kicks off at 9am on Saturday at Benny’s Barbershop on Disraeli St, Sydenham.
It is a collaboration between like-minded small businesses trading their hand-made and second-hand wares with an ethical focus. Carroll will sell items from her clothing line Rosie Threads.
From a sewing room at her parents’ house in Avonhead, the 24-year-old told The Press how Sydney markets inspired her to create a curated market experience.
‘‘We do have markets here in Christchurch, but the farmers’ markets are all about food, which is really cool, but it’s not an opportunity for anyone who makes anything else.
‘‘The Riccarton Market is great too, but not quite the right vibe for selling fashion items,’’ she said.
She visited the Glebe Markets in Sydney when she was 18, ‘‘and was totally enamoured at how cool it was’’.
‘‘I was like, why don’t we have anything like this in Christchurch, and eventually I decided I should just start it myself.’’
Eleven stallholders had signed up for the ‘‘small but cosy space’’ at Benny’s, including Fable Store, previously housed in The Welder on Welles St. Also for sale will be Monstera and Men plants, Messy and Co prints, Mama Bliss embroidery and Adorn clothing, among others.
Carroll started Rosie Threads 11⁄2 years ago, as she worked a fulltime job in community support with the Christchurch City Council.
Self-trained, she began making 1970s-style ‘‘rouched tops’’ for herself, as well as scrunchies and skirts.
‘‘I knew the basics of sewing, from doing manual at school and a few bits and pieces from mum. Through trial and error I taught Kātoitoi, a small bird with a big voice. myself the style,’’ she said.
She hoped the market would become monthly or bi-monthly, depending on how the first instalment went. Saturday’s market would run from 9am until 2pm.
Aware of the flaws of the ‘‘fast fashion’’ industry, Carroll said she ‘‘utilised resources that are already out there’’ rather than buying everything new. She chose stall holders at her market according to their ethical choices.
‘‘I want The Nifty Markets to encourage people to think about the things they buy, and how they buy them.’’