We asked the Merchant 1948 team what they're loving from our winter new arrivals.

shop the look Tickle loafer $209.90

BANSRI

ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT

"I love the Tickle loafer, it has a classy element to it and can dress up any outfit."

shop the look Alice chelsea boot $269.90

"The Alice boot is my everyday go-to - you can pair it with jean's or even a dress and you're good to go!"

shop the look Becaf chelsea boot $289.90

JOSH

3IC, NEWMARKET 277 STORE

"Suede is such a classy and comfortable material which I have been looking to add to my wardrobe for winter. The Chelsea boot style is such a go-to, you really can't go wrong!"

shop the look Drake sneaker $169.90

"Drake is such a simple sneaker style. It's comfortable and versatile, I've personally got 3 colours now, I am a bit obsessed!"

shop the look Martine stretch boot $289.90

SAM

PEOPLE & CULTURE BUSINESS PARTNER

"I love the delicate studded detailing around the edge of this boot and the chunky heel, making this a super versatile boot to dress up or down."

shop the look Bee mule $229.90

"I am really liking the colour and texture of this snake-effect leather, such a great twist on the classic mule style that I love to wear to work."

SHOP NEW ARRIVALS

Recently, we ran our Deuce Custom Kicks design a sneaker contest, inviting you all to design a print for your dream canvas sneakers. Thank you to everyone that entered, we were overwhelmed with how many talented designs there were! We hope our Custom Kicks contest brought those who entered, a fun and creative outlet to lighten the mood during lockdown. Creativity can be discovered in all aspects of life, whether it’s the shoes you put on your feet, the places they take you, or the special moments you create in your day.

As we continue to celebrate creativity, we want to spotlight our Winner and Runner’s up, to give you an insight into the faces behind the designs that you loved and voted for.

You may have seen her design entry… 

Maria wins 1x pair of custom kicks to step up her sneaker game with her very own design. We can’t wait to see this design brought to life! In the meantime,  we spoke with Maria on all things creative and behind the scene details on her amazing design entry.

M: Creativity to me, is about pausing, being present and in the moment. Life can be so busy, but when I start working on something creative, I completely relax and zone out. Creativity is a great outlet for self-expression when words cannot do justice. I love that you can use creativity to express your busy fast-paced lifestyle, but also to take a step back and reset your mind. .

M: I have two books on the go currently; The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse and I’m re-reading This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay.

M: I live in a full house of boys and as a result, I tend to turn to design to embrace my feminine side, creating a soft, dainty art style. For my Custom Kicks design, I pictured myself as the customer and what I would like to wear and worked on my designs from there. Knowing the sneaker would be released in Spring/Summer, I was drawn towards leaves, flowers and soft pastel tones.

M: Bright and full of layers. As an artist, I love intricate illustrations where the viewer can discover something new each time they look at it. When I'm designing, however, I prefer a clean, modern design.  

Instagram: @artist.mariaelizabeth  Facebook: www.facebook.com/artist.mariaelizabeth

At the very core of Deuce, we value the importance of experimenting, trying new things and not taking life too seriously. And over the past few months, we have learned the value and benefits of keeping positive and creative during challenging periods. We aim to continue to bring more creative activities to our community soon.   

Recently, we ran our Deuce Custom Kicks design a sneaker contest, inviting you all to design a print for your dream canvas sneakers. Thank you to everyone that entered, we were overwhelmed with how many talented designs there were! We hope our Custom Kicks contest brought those who entered, a fun and creative outlet to lighten the mood during lockdown. Creativity can be discovered in all aspects of life, whether it’s the shoes you put on your feet, the places they take you, or the special moments you create in your day.

As we continue to celebrate creativity, we want to spotlight our Winner and Runner’s up, to give you an insight into the faces behind the designs that you loved and voted for.

You may have seen her design entry… 

Eve wins 1x pair of custom kicks to step up her sneaker game with her very own design. We can’t wait to see this design brought to life! In the meantime, Eve fills us in on all things creative and the inspiration behind her design.

E: To me, it’s the freedom to express the stories that make up your identity.

E: Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die album on repeat. So lush.

E: Growing up a child of the 80s, I love anything to do with that aesthetic. Watching Stranger Things has brought back a lot of nostalgia. I enjoy playing around with colours and styles from that era. My design was intended to capture the spirit of the 80s and it makes me think of Jem and the Holograms or Friday nights at the roller disco.

E: I love pastels! If you come to my house, you’re surrounded by it. My rugs, tables, crockery, bedspread and décor all have some element of soft pink or spearmint green. Within my art, I like to contrast the pastels by adding darks like teal and navy. After entering Custom Kicks, I am interested in exploring 80’s patterns more! 

E: Most of my artwork is actually portraiture. I love faces and musculature and am inspired by how Da Vinci studied this art. If anyone is interested in checking out my work, visit my Instagram: @evemcsoriley_art

At the very core of Deuce, we value the importance of experimenting, trying new things and not taking life too seriously. And over the past few months, we have learned the value and benefits of keeping positive and creative during challenging periods. We aim to continue to bring more creative activities to our community soon.   

Recently, we ran our Deuce Custom Kicks design a sneaker contest, inviting you all to design a print for your dream canvas sneakers. Thank you to everyone that entered, we were overwhelmed with how many talented designs there were! We hope our Custom Kicks contest brought those who entered, a fun and creative outlet to lighten the mood during lockdown. Creativity can be discovered in all aspects of life, whether it’s the shoes you put on your feet, the places they take you, or the special moments you create in your day.

As we continue to celebrate creativity, we want to spotlight our Winner and Runner’s up, to give you an insight into the faces behind the designs that you loved and voted for.

You may have seen her design entry… 

We are going to take Anna’s design and turn it into a pair of custom kicks to feature in our Deuce Spring/Summer 20 range as an exclusive limited-edition release! We’ll keep you posted on when they are available to shop.

In the meantime, Anna fills us in on all things creative and the inspiration behind her design.

A: For me it's about having a vision, playing around with ideas, and taking all the exploration, including any 'creative mishaps' or 'happy mistakes', as part of the creative journey. It also means putting myself out there and not overthinking every detail!

A: Reading: I've got Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg on the go and funnily enough I've just finished The Secret Life of Bees! (A lockdown virtual bookclub read which might have been the inspiration for the Custom Kicks design?!) Listening: Love a good podcast – some recent favourites – The High Low, the One Girl Band podcast, Own your hustle, Armchair Expert (to name a few!)

A: A lot of my recent illustrations and surface patterns have had a floral, foliage theme, which is where my bees print stemmed from. We've spent a lot of time outside recently in lockdown with our two little girls – rain, hail or shine! The girls find all the little creatures, watching their movements – so the bees design is something they can enjoy too! My four-year-old was over the moon when I told her we'd won with the bees!

A: My personal illustrative style is quite free-flowing and I usually like to incorporate a hand-drawn, inky element to my design. As part of my design process, I'll start with a notebook sketch, then move to digital format (Photoshop and/or Illustrator) to manipulate, scale, arrange, add colour etc. I love to add a pop of colour, textural elements and layers too. When working with clients, my artwork style can easily alter to achieve their brand identity. 

A: You can follow me on Instagram at @porteden.design or say hello at anna@portedendesign.com if you're keen to chat about upcoming design projects!

At the very core of Deuce, we value the importance of experimenting, trying new things and not taking life too seriously. And over the past few months, we have learned the value and benefits of keeping positive and creative during challenging periods. We aim to continue to bring more creative activities to our community soon.  

FIND YOUR STORE

In an effort to keep you safe during Alert Level 2, a few things have changed since your last visit:

- 2m social distance must be kept at all times (that’s about 3 steps!) so bear with us if there is a bit of a wait to get into store
- Sanitisation stations have been set up and are available for use
- We’ve gone cashless but still accept EFTPOS, credit and now paywave
- We've enhanced our cleaning practices and will be cleaning surfaces often throughout the day so that you can browse and try on safely

Returns and exchanges: 
From Thursday 14th May all of our stores will be open to process returns and exchanges. All purchases made between 9th March 2020 - 12th May 2020 have an extended returns period until the 31st May 2020. You are also welcome to continue sending returns to our Distribution Centre. Need more info? Visit our help page.

 
Thank you again for your support during this time. Our teams are so excited to catch up with you in-store.

With love,
The Merchant Family.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered our Deuce Custom Kicks competition. We loved getting creative with you! We are overwhelmed with the number and quality of entries we have received and we had so much fun admiring all of your talented designs.

We're going to take Anna's design and turn it into pair of custom kicks to feature in our Spring Summer 20 range as an exclusive limited edition release! We'll keep you posted on when they available to shop.

Our runner's up win 1x pair of custom kicks to step up their sneaker game with their very own designs. Congratulations!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED

We wish we could've picked every entry to win. We hope to continue to bring more creative outlets and activities to our community again soon.

Our Autumn Winter 20 campaign 'In The Making', celebrates creativity in all forms. Creativity can be discovered in all aspects of life, whether it’s the shoes you put on your feet, the places they take you, or the special moments you create in your day.

Merchant Makers is our spotlight series on a few of the inspiring individuals in the Merchant 1948 family as we see what they're creating from home.

Following the government's latest guidelines of the COVID-19 Level 3 alert system, we are happy to announce that our online store is now entirely open for you to shop and have your purchases safely delivered to your home. Please rest assured that hygiene practices of a high standard will be practised while packing orders and processing returns.

If it’s felt like some of our styles and sizes have been missing from our online store over the last few weeks, you are correct! We are pleased to announce that our full range is now available to explore online AND you can get free shipping - happy shopping!

Our Distribution Centre is now open to fulfil all online orders and we are following recommended health guidelines to keep our team and customers safe. Due to high demand, there may be a delay in shipping.

- If you have an existing order of a non-essential item this will now be dispatched over the coming week. Please note that shipping may take longer than our typical shipping time frames initially as we get up and running again.

- Our stores will remain closed while the country remains at alert level 3.

Returns:
We are now accepting returns to our Distribution Centre. If you are unable to send your return to our Distribution Centre, you will still be able to return your order once our stores can reopen. All purchases made between 9th March 2020 - 12th May 2020 will have an extended returns period until the 31st May 2020. If the Level 3 lockdown period is extended for more than two weeks, we will review this policy. Need more info? Visit our FAQ page

Our live chat and phone lines are open from 10am - 4pm NZT if you have any questions for our team.

We miss seeing you in-store so much! Thank you for your support during this time and we hope you enjoy exploring our autumn winter 20 collection In The Making, digitally for the time being.

Stay safe, look after your loved ones and we’ll see you in-store soon,

The Merchant 1948 family

In light of Earth Day, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide an appreciation for our planet, which we know requires some tender loving care. For us, sustainability is a journey. Our mission together we create to inspire means continuing to create better practices and better innovations, that offer inspiration for our people.

We strive to innovate better, taking steps towards a sustainable future. Keep an eye out for more on our journey, in the coming months. On this special day, we wanted to highlight one of the more recent steps we have taken and share some tips on how you can contribute to the future of the planet through your shoes.

In February 2020, we launched our Merchant Workshop, within our flagship Newmarket store. Steve, our talented onsite cobbler offers a repair and resole service to breathe new life into them. Steve is our footwear wizard, fixing everything from soles and elastics to buckles and almost anything in between! He replaces the worn elements with new bits and pieces, instilling a new life into cherished belongings. Our workshop also offers a Vibram sole application, a footwear upgrade that extends the life of your shoes by two to three times! Our workshop is offered to shoes of any brands, not just our own. We encourage our customers to renew their favourite shoes and love them for longer.

We have recently released a new shoe return initiative, allowing customers to return any pre-loved shoes to our flagship Newmarket store, which enters a recycling process.

Throughout this journey, we have learned that small changes can have the biggest impact. Owning countless shoes ourselves, we understand the importance of protecting our shoes to ensure longevity.

Read our 7 top tips from Steve on taking care of your shoes.

1. Rotate the pair you wear each day. It may be difficult not choosing your favourite pair every day, but this will reduce wear and tear.

2. Preserve shape! Use shoe trees or boot fillers to preserve the shape when not in use - a vital care step for closed shoes and boots. You can purchase boot fillers here.

3. Protect! Protect all leathers and suedes with a waterproof spray to protect them from rainy weather and potential stains. Adding sole grips to all resin soles before wear adds an extra layer of protection and traction for walking on wet and smooth surfaces.

4. Provide regular TLC! For keeping in top-notch condition, clean your footwear every 2-3 weeks. For smooth leathers, use leather conditioner for hydration and shoe polish for maintaining aesthetics. Use a suede brush to comb through any suede leather.

5. Let your heels, heal! Stilettos or thin heels wear down no matter how often you wear them, so ensure you let them rest in between wears – just like you rest your feet.

6. Know when it is time to repair. It is best to know when to repair your leather or resin soled shoes before they are critical. Depending on the level of wear, a sole repair will need to be done approximately after 12 months. To prevent major wear and tear to boots in the harsh winter weather, be sure to re-sole your boots at the beginning of the season.

7. Pay careful attention to the wear of your heels and soles. Invest in replacing the soles before the metal hits the road and heel repairs before breaking point. Once it is too late, it becomes much harder to repair.

It is that simple! Shop our care product range to ensure longevity in your footwear, allowing you to love and live in them for years to come.

Our Autumn Winter 20 campaign 'In The Making', celebrates creativity in all forms. Creativity can be discovered in all aspects of life, whether it’s the shoes you put on your feet, the places they take you, or the special moments you create in your day.

Merchant Makers is our spotlight series on a few of the inspiring individuals in the Merchant 1948 family as we see what they're creating from home.

We thank you for your loyalty and love as we navigate these uncertain and challenging times.

Following the government's latest guidelines, we registered with the MBIE as a provider of essential goods and we’re glad to announce that select footwear can now be purchased online to keep you warm as the temperatures drop.

This includes items from the following categories: boots, flats, sneakers and care products.

We’ve created a list of products on our website for you to explore, purchase and be safely delivered following hygiene guidelines.

Shop Women's Essentials       Shop Men's Essentials

Our Distribution Centre is now open to fulfil orders of these essential items only, and we are following recommended guidelines to keep our team and customers safe and healthy.

- If you have an existing order of an essential item this will now be dispatched over the coming week. Please note that shipping on essential items may take longer than our typical shipping time frames.

- Any existing orders on non-essential items will be delivered once our Distribution Centre is permitted to be fully up and running, in line with lockdown levels.

-If you still want to purchase non-essential items, we invite you to shop online with us however please note they will only be delivered from Tuesday 28th April onwards inline with the government's recommendations of the COVID-19 Level 3 alert system.

More than ever we are proud to be a New Zealand based, family-owned and operated company. We thank you for your ongoing support during this time and look forward to welcoming you back in-store soon. Until then...

Take care, be safe and stay home.

With love,

The Merchant 1948 family

Meet our very own maker, Tania; one of the designers behind our Deuce sneakers range. She fills us in on all things creative and what she’s currently making during this time. 

What does creativity mean to you? 

T: For me, creativity means finding new ways to hone my craftsmanship and design skills. It allows me to be challenged and grow, even after working in this industry for 20 years.

What do you love about being a designer?

T: Having an idea, a hunch or a dream and be able to bring it to life. It is so rewarding to know that a pair of shoes you have produced, is being loved and worn by someone in the world.  

How do you start your creative process for a new season?

T: Surprisingly, my creative process begins with a lot of data! This builds the foundation and direction for the season. I draw inspiration for designs, from random sketches I have worked on, to our team brainstorms or global trends. Once we have reached our final sketches, we begin sample testing in our factories and review them in-house. It is so exciting, seeing our samples arrive for the first time! 

Any favourite Deuce designs? 

T: My current favourite, this season is Vale. I am drawn to the simplicity of the sneaker’s outline and the proportion of the sole to the upper. I bought the style the first day it came into the store and have to actively stop myself from wearing them every day!

Who or where do you draw inspiration from? 

T: In a short answer – everything and anything can trigger an idea. The colour blends used in street art or how a dress flows on someone walking past. We are observant and open-minded, and it has become an everyday habit to absorb anything we see, hear or feel and craft it into something physical.

What are you reading/listening to at the moment?

T:  Reading ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens and listening to The Infinite Monkey Cage podcast – I am slightly obsessed with Astrophysics so my listening and reading skew more towards that for now. 

At the very heart of Deuce is a desire to create sneakers that feel as good as they look. Designing with a fashion-meets-function approach, Tania and our team in Auckland, New Zealand pride themselves on delivering sneakers that are lightweight, comfortable and durable – without sacrificing style.

Before Deuce was in the making, our founder, Shane was frustrated that the traditional canvas sneakers his kids wore, provided barely any arch support. While they looked cool, your feet ached after spending a day in them.

The Deuce Designers have spent numerous years crafting our design process by talking to our customers about their needs, visiting our factory, talking to our team and learning from these craftsmen to evolve our process. The design process is something we’re so proud of, and it’s a key part of the Deuce brand today. Details make all the difference with our range of designs including fresh, fashion-forward silhouettes, premium leathers and fabrics, athletic-inspired footbed technology and vulcanised rubber soles - just to name a few!

This current hiccup in our journey, will not stop us from standing together, celebrating creativity and staying inspired. Let us know how you stay inspired and creative at home.

As you may know, we were hoping to share this campaign with you a few weeks ago, but we delayed this in light of everything happening in the world. We want to continue to inspire more than ever right now and this is why we're so excited to share the lookbook of 'In The Making' with you. Our passionate team put countless hours into curating this range for you, as well as the creatives behind the beautiful imagery you'll explore today. We sincerely thank you for your support and hope you love our Autumn Winter 20 collection.

shop the look

From simple moments to special occasions, life is in the making. It is forged from creativity, spontaneity and, above all, sharing our lives with those that are dear to us.

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With creativity in front of mind, more than ever this season we are celebrating the craftsmanship behind our footwear; the finessed skills and precious knowledge of our makers, and the dedication and passion of our people. We search far and wide for the utmost quality, fresh ideas and bold creations. We share values and thoughts, ask questions and champion the brave.

shop the look

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Creativity can be discovered in all aspects of life, whether it’s the shoes you put on your feet, the places they take you, or the special moments you create in your day. Life should be lived and enjoyed on your own terms. We believe in crafting a beautiful life - composing unforgettable experiences and cherishing every moment.

shop the look

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With a range as diverse as life itself, and our decades of history in New Zealand, our footwear is designed to support our customer to embrace every single precious day; Merchant is there for the moments and the memories.

shop the look

Autumn Winter 20 styles are available to explore online now.

Please note shipping delays as per our COVID-19 update. Some of the shoes in this lookbook are coming soon and will be able to purchase when our stores and distribution centre can reopen. We'll update you when they arrive on our digital channels! 

Thanks to the dream team:

Photographer: Hayley Bayliffe

Videographer: William Anselmi

Creative Lead: Delia Clare

Stylist: Sammy Salsa

Production Assistant: Kate Mann

Makeup Artist: Rebekah Banks

Models: Annabella and Tom - N Management

shop the look

Thanks for getting creative with us! We had so much fun admiring all of the talented designs. Now we need your help to choose our winner - vote for your favourite of our top 10 designs here

Hey. Houseparty might be good for kicks when you’re in your bubble, but someday, sometime we’re all gonna be out and about again. And when that happens, you’re going to need new kicks. So why not lock down your release party look now?

Deuce Sneakers are designed right here in NZ, which is why we're asking Kiwi's and Australian's like you to design the canvas sneakers you’d like to step out of iso in. We’ll take the best ideas and turn them into a pair of custom kicks for you and your bubble buddy and feature them in our Spring Summer 20 range as an exclusive limited edition release!

Here's how:

Step 1: Either print off our template or draw a 10cmx10cm square

Step 2: Fill this with your design. It can be a pattern, motif, doodle or whatever you like (within reason – see guidelines below). You can draw by hand in pencil, pen, crayon or finger paint, or if you like, you can design digitally.

Step 3: Take a picture of your design and submit it via this form

Step 4: Share with your friends and tag #customkicks

Step 5. Wear out your old kicks pacing your living room/balcony/luxury lockdown villa/superyacht whilst you wait for us to announce the winners and check out other people’s submissions whilst you do via @deucesneakers 

Art Guidelines

You might be going stir-crazy, but what some of what goes on in your bubble, really ought to stay in your bubble, so please keep your designs clean. We’ll be moderating entries and those that don’t comply with the guidelines, (see below) won’t be considered.

Really Strict Guidelines
Please do not include any trademarked or copyrighted material, offensive content or brand logos. Not too hard eh?

Any questions?
Visit our FAQ page here

Read the terms and conditions here

In light of everything happening in the world, we decided to delay the launch of our Autumn Winter 20 campaign 'In The Making'. We still want to celebrate creativity, so we will be slowly releasing imagery from our campaign over the next few weeks which you will see across our digital channels.

As our team settle into working from home, we wanted to create a spotlight series on a few of the inspiring individuals in the Merchant 1948 family to continue the celebration of makers.

For Autumn Winter 20 we celebrate all things creative, under our campaign 'In The Making'. We were hoping to start sharing this with you this week but this will be delayed in light of everything happening in the world. However, we won't stop celebrating creativity and we will continue to spotlight inspiring makers we know.

As our team settle into working from home, we wanted to create a spotlight series on a few of the inspiring individuals in the Merchant 1948 family to see what they're currently making/reading/watching/listening to during this time.

Store closures

People are at the heart of all that we do and now more than ever, we need to champion this. With the call for lock-down, all of our New Zealand stores, Support Office and Distribution Centre will be closing their doors on the 25th March for the foreseeable future and reopening once our country and community are safe.

Online shopping

We are still available to you online; our last dispatch will be 12 noon Wednesday 25th March so if you place an order before then, we will do our absolute best to get it to you before we close our Distribution Centre.

After 12 noon Wednesday 25th March, our online store will remain open, so you can shop as much as you want but please note shipping will be delayed until our Distribution Centre can reopen. If anything changes, you will be the first to know. 

Extended Returns

We are no longer accepting returns to our stores or our Distribution Centre but don’t worry, any purchases made from 9 March 2020 onward will have an extended returns period and you will be able to return your items post-lock-down. 

Let’s stay connected

We want to stay social while distancing so we’re thinking up creative ways to keep our Instagram and Facebook the best places to inspire, share positivity and connect with our community. While you might be missing your fix of new shoes, we can certainly fulfil your needs for ongoing shoe inspiration.

Our live chat and phone lines will continue to be open from 9 am - 5 pm if you have any questions for our team.

Our hearts go out to all of the people and communities most affected by this pandemic. Please be kind and mindful of those around you. We are all in this together. 

Thank you for the support and take care, 

The Merchant 1948 family

The Young Hearts Project partner with the MATES programme, run through Great Potentials. The MATES programme pushes young kiwis to reach their full potential through mentoring programmes and today, we spotlight on MATES mentor and coordinator Connor, to hear his story and how the Young Hearts Project has changed his life.

Walking The Talk

"I was a second-year psychology student who wanted some practical experience working with people, rather than reading theories, for a change. In my search, I came across the Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme (MATES), enabled by the Great Potentials Foundation and supported by the Young Hearts Project. I knew I had an interest in mental health, but MATES was the first time I was given the opportunity to work with young people."

Two Worlds

"The first mentee I ever took on at MATES was called Nikau. Nikau joined the programme because he really needed support with his maths and writing, to ensure that his transition to high school was smooth and that new horizons opened for him through mentoring and tutoring."

"Coming from a Pakeha background I didn’t know much about his Mori culture and, at first, I also struggled. I knew that I had to be open and patient with my mentee and that he had a lot to teach me in our weekly after school session."

Walking Together

"We decided to split up our two-hour sessions; in the first half we worked on his maths and English and in the second half, he taught me about his life. The school had values like Whanaungatanga and Kaitiakitanga up on the walls in the library, values that I’d never heard of before. Nikau taught me their meaning and cultural significance and we agreed to embody these in our mentoring relationship."

"Throughout the year, I learnt about how important his family was to him and we bonded over our crazy aunts and funny family get-togethers. He had an older brother who had moved cities to work and didn’t have any family close to his age. I’d moved cities to study, and I found that by the end of the year I saw him as my little brother."

Learning Together

"Our goodbye ceremony at the end of the year was emotional! I realised culture wasn’t something to just learn about but something I had to experience and participate in. Every mentee I had in future years reminded me of Nikau because they had such different backgrounds that enriched my own life as well as theirs."

"Nikau made me realise that young people are often burdened with a lot of stereotypes surrounding them, when in fact they are intelligent, driven and wonderful people. I hope to say I helped Nikau the best I could, giving him advice, sharing my culture, and being a friend. At the very least I can guarantee he still knows his times tables!"

Changing Lives

"I went into mentoring thinking I was going to change someone’s life and instead, as cheesy as it sounds, it was at MATES where I found my meaning in life. I knew after just a couple of hours with this young person that this is where I needed to be. "

"Since that year with Nikau, I changed my pathway to counselling. I continue to be a MATES coordinator, supporting and empowering new mentors to be the best champions they can be for our young people. I’m also a counsellor at an intermediate school – the same age as the students I’ve been working with at MATES – and am still growing and learning through them!"

"My experience with Nikau taught me that I don’t need to have everything in common with young people to be able to get on well with them. I found that being interested and open to hearing people’s stories is the best way to connect with those around me and to gain a deeper understanding of the world around me. Mentoring is a little bit like that; it’s not a one-way relationship, but an exchange of mutual respect and being there for one another. I am so grateful to the Young Hearts Project for supporting this vital work."

 
Connor’s inspiring testimony is one of many stories that show the great work behind those involved in The Young Hearts Project. Remember when buying any full-price pair of Deuce sneakers, $5 per sale goes towards these projects and changing the lives of our kiwi kids.

We asked the Merchant 1948 team what they're loving from our Autumn new arrivals.

ELLIE

ASSOCIATE DESIGNER

"This is the first season that I'm seeing the shoes I designed in-store after starting as an Associate Footwear Designer for Merchant 1948 8 months ago. This is a big moment for me to see my ideas come to life!" 

shop the look Barracuda ankle boot $289.90

"Designing this boot was quite challenging - from the fastening of the harness to the floral print on the scarf. I'm so happy with the way it came out and love versatility aspect of the design, being able to wear it 3 different ways." 

shop the look Saga heel $229.90

"Saga came out exactly as I imagined her! The rust suede colourway with the tortoiseshell heel wrap makes my heart happy to just look at it, it's such a lush combo!" 

MIRO

MERCHANDISE ASSISTANT

"I started in the role of Merchandise Assistant here at Merchant 1948 nine months ago - I work alongside the passionate team of Buyers, Designers and Planners that have curated the beautiful new arrivals you see in-store now. I hope you love them as much as we do!" 

shop the look Davis dress boot $269.90

"Sleek, comfortable and timeless; Davis will be there for you when you need to look your best." 

shop the look Shark lace up boot $289.90

"Your off-duty wardrobe deserves the Shark boot; handmade in Portugal with premium leather and a durable sole, it's a real winner!" 

EDWINA

PLANNING ASSISTANT

"My role as a planning assistant involves managing stock so I'm excited to see what styles customers love this season! Winter is definitely my favourite footwear season, I mostly live in black ankle boots - I have my eye on a few pairs already!" 

shop the look Carlton leather low top sneaker $149.90

"Always need a classic white sneaker in rotation and the lower cut of this style with its low profile sole makes it easy to wear with anything." 

shop the look Alice chelsea boot $269.90

"Such a comfortable style and the cleated sole adds a cool grunge element to the essential black Chelsea boot."

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The MATES programmes purpose is to help young kiwis to reach their full potential, achieved in personal mentoring programmes. Today, we speak to MATES mentor Sally, to hear her story about her involvement in MATES.

A desire to help

"In my second year at university, I changed my major to psychology purely because I found the content interesting. But as I learned more, I felt called to help people."

"With the ever-diversifying population of New Zealand, empathy and cultural competency were two highlighted aspects in psychology. I thought I was knowledgeable and would have no problems with this, having grown up in a Kiwi culture at school and Korean culture at home."

A Shore girl in South Auckland

"Prior to MATES, I wasn’t a person who liked children. I didn’t dislike them, but it never occurred to me to work with them voluntarily. When I saw adolescents, I saw entitled troublemakers going through puberty. I also can’t say I have a diverse group of friends. I grew up with fellow second-generation Asians on the North Shore, so I was a little naïve about what other parts of Auckland were like, what different communities reside there and what qualities and values each culture held dear as part of our city."

"Everything changed when I met my first mentee. The first time I set foot in a school in South Auckland, I thought I was prepared to tutor these kids. I was there to help them excel academically in their math and english. But I was worried about how I would connect with them. I had gone in with a certain perspective of what adolescents are like, and sadly, some negative stereotypes of what South Auckland was like, too."

Embracing our cultures

"When I arrived, two vivacious Tongan girls welcomed me as their own, and in the weeks that followed, they taught me cultural competency and widened my perspective of what adolescents are really like. As much as I intended to help these mentees, and did help them improve their grades, there is more that they did for me in the span of the first 30 minutes than I can take credit for in that one year. "

"Their openness, warmth and genuine interest in getting to know me had me taken aback. Despite my appearance and ‘North Shore’ way of talking, they welcomed me with open arms. They told me about their families and heritage. They helped me see a glimpse of their world; their cultures and lives. It was a two-way conversation of curiosity and respect for our cultures."

Auckland's hidden gems

"It is easy to fall into the trap of labelling adolescents as troublemakers and define them by their socioeconomic status, but they are Auckland’s hidden gems. My mentees helped me to see how they didn’t fit any of my stereotypes; the love and support from their families and communities helped them to be amazing young women."

"It was my mentees who taught me what cultural competency was. Auckland’s youth are awesome and have much to impart onto us about their cultures and perspectives as young people. As much as I had to offer to widen my mentees’ academic horizons, these young girls did the same for my cultural horizons."

A new path

"My mentees and the MATES programme helped redefine my career and life goals. I know for a fact that I want to further my education, so I am even better equipped to work with the brilliant young people that are the future of this country. I wanted to join the MATES programme, supported by the Young Hearts Project, to help smoothen the transition of young people into what they want to achieve in the future."

"What I had never imagined, was that I would be taught what true cultural competency was, by a pair of young Tongan girls. If you are privileged to work alongside the youth of New Zealand, listen to what they have to impart - they may surprise you."

 
Sally’s story is one of many testimonies that give a glimpse into the awesome work of the Young Hearts Project. Remember when buying any full-price pair of Deuce sneakers, $5 per sale goes towards these projects and changing the lives of our kiwi kids.

The Value Of Education

My story begins in India, where I was born and spent my early years. Growing up, my mother always instilled a deep appreciation of the importance of education in me. As a child, her family struggled to make ends meet and mum would walk many miles each day to school with hand-me-down clothes, shoes and books from her older sister, often without lunch. She worked hard to secure scholarships to get into a good school and university.

For her, education was the lifeline that enabled her to support her parents and eventually move to NZ with her nine-year-old son. When we got here, mum saw how much I enjoyed literature and the arts and encouraged me to follow my passions. I was so lucky to have her mentoring, which eventually landed me at University studying English and music.

Meeting my Mentee

After my first year at university, I realised that education itself meant nothing if we couldn’t also empower other young people to reach their full potential, so I signed up as a mentor with the MATES mentoring programme, empowered by the Young Hearts Project. The mentee that most impacted my life was an awesome 12-year-old Tongan student that I met in my second year as a mentor.

My mentee was matched with me because we were both musicians and so that I could support him to be well prepared academically and socially for high school. We would play music and complete schoolwork together, but like a typical pair of boys, our bond was not very deep at the start of the year. While we made progress in literacy and numeracy, I increasingly realised that my mentee was often distracted, had written himself off and didn’t really know what the future had in store.

Drawing our Dreams

Our coordinator came in one day with large blank posters and a stack of magazines, so that we could each create a ‘dream board’ with our mentees. Our first task was to put our name in the middle of the poster using magazine cut-out letters. I went away to grab some tools and magazines for our table. When I came back, I saw that my mentee had already started on his name with a pencil. I sat down and quietly watched as he spent the first hour intensely designing his name, and then my own, with precise lines and an innate sense of space and colour.

When he finally came out of his focused hour of drawing, we had a long chat about his designs, and he pulled out a book filled with other things he had worked on during school. My mentee knew he was good at design, but never knew what he could do with his skills. I told him about some of the careers he could pursue, and he said that he wanted to look into architecture. The next week, I brought along some information about architecture careers. We stuck the degree into his dream board and later found out what subjects he would need to take at school to get into the course.

Seek out Distant Horizons

Despite our stoic appearance throughout the year, our goodbye was difficult and tearful. My mentee gave me a taonga, a beautiful fish-hook necklace, which I continue to wear to this day. My experience with my mentee led me to apply to become a coordinator, to support other mentors as they empower our young mentees to reach their full potential. Most of our mentors never get to see where their mentees get to, but as I continued to be involved in MATES as a coordinator and regional manager, I was lucky enough to keep in touch with my mentee through his younger siblings who went through the MATES programme as well. My mentee continued to pursue both design and visual communication and music at his school, coming top of his class in DVC many times.

This year he will have just finished school and I can’t wait to see the mark he will make on the world of creative arts and design. Next year, I too am heading off to seek distant horizons in a new role, but I will always carry my mentee’s story with me, for which I am forever grateful to Great Potentials Foundation and the Young Hearts Project. My mentee showed me that our greatest potential often lies just under our own noses and that every great design and story begins with a single stroke, whether in art or in life.

Andrew’s inspiring story is one of many testimonies that show the great work behind those involved in The Young Hearts Project. The Young Hearts Project is designed to impact the lives of our kiwi kids and help them reach their full potential. Remember when buying any full-price pair of Deuce sneakers, $5 per sale goes towards these projects.

After a year of hard work, perseverance and commitment, Youthline nominated Phoenix for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, which she took part in last January. The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme was created for Aucklander’s aged 14 to 17, who have faced challenges however are making positive changes to move forward. During the Youth Programme, Phoenix learnt a significant amount. “I learned so much about myself in those three days, and I made two of my closest friends.” From her time as a Youthline volunteer, Phoenix has truly discovered the positive influence. “I have learned the impact I have on people,” she says, “Youthline has taught me so much about the influence I have and leading by example, especially to my younger peers.”

Since joining Youthline’s mentoring programme, Phoenix has identified her future goals and she is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Manukau Institute of Technology. She has three goals going forward:

- To continue making positive change and to reach her fullest capabilities

- To make her parents proud and to show them that their hard work never goes unnoticed

- To be a positive role model for youth that have been through or are going through the same things that she has.

Phoenix wants others to know that Youthline saves lives. “It saved my life and is helping me with the goals that I never thought would be achievable. Sounds super clich, but Youthline gave me hope. To have so many Youth Development Workers who genuinely care about what you do with your life makes such a huge difference.” For youth like Phoenix, programmes like the Youthline mentoring programme truly make a positive difference and allow individuals to meet their full potential. Remember that your donation to the Young Hearts Project counts.

We asked some of the Merchant 1948 team what they're loving from our summer collection.

SERENA'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Albany

"A 'barely there' and natural summer essential. I have these in the nude, but need them in the white too! Pair them with a neon nail and you're good to go for day or night!" 

SHOP SAM

KELLY'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Shore City

"I love this shoe! It's super comfy and is the cutest addition to any outfit. This shoe screams summer!" 

SHOP BONDI

JOSH'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Newmarket

"The perfect brown boot, so soft and easy to wear" 

SHOP TREVOR

MARY JANE'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Albany 

"Denya is the perfect little number to dress up or down. It's a mix of comfort and fashion, with a variety of colours you can't go wrong!" 

SHOP DENYA

SHANNI'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Shore City

"Meadow in white would definitely be one of my top picks for our summer season! It combines comfort with a relaxed summer style. Perfect with shorts, skirts & dresses! The soft sole means you can wear it all day and still be comfortable" 

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TORY'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Newmarket

"Drake is a comfy, classic white sneaker that goes with everything!" 

SHOP DRAKE

JO'S PICK

Merchant 1948 Visual Merchandiser

"This shoe is timeless and can take you from day to night in comfort and style" 

SHOP CAIRO

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Our Deuce Sneakers brand is one that believes in supporting and giving back to our local community, so from every pair of full-price Deuce sneakers sold, $5 goes towards The Young Hearts Project. Through the work of the Young Hearts Project, we support organisations and charities that do great things for kiwis, helping, shaping and positively changing the lives of others. One of those charities is the MATES organisation, which is a programme that mentors youth in New Zealand.  The work of MATES is lowering the rising rates of suicide, family violence, negative behaviour and depression. Today, we hear a story from Alicia Kapa, a mentor in the MATES programme and learn just what this mentorship means to her.

A passion for youth

Alicia is a third-year student of Criminology and Mori Studies, and through her studies she found a passion for helping young people discover their potential.  Alicia has Cerebral Palsy, so she knew that she had a lot to give young people and knew they could learn a lot from her, but just didn’t know where to start. At first, Alicia thought it would be difficult to get a job doing something she was really passionate about because of her physical disability but was prompted to join the MATES Charitable Trust by a friend. MATES is a Trust that offers mentorship to youth and gives individuals the support they need, so this was something Alicia jumped at the opportunity to do. 

Before MATES Alicia didn’t have confidence when interacting with others, because she didn’t know how people would react to her when they first met. But after her first session of mentoring with mates, Alicia was excited for more. When Alicia and her mentee first met, her mentee was incredibly shy, which made it difficult for her to make friends; she lacked confidence in herself as well as her schoolwork. But from the first session Alicia had with her mentee, she felt that they connected and formed a bond quickly.  “It was a little quiet at first, but I knew she had a lot to say, so I started to ask questions about herself to gain her trust and build a relationship with her.”

To strengthen her social connections, Alicia worked with another mentor and mentee pair so that her mentee interacted with others through the MATES programme and was able to build friendships.  As the year progressed, Alicia helped with her schoolwork, but not by doing things for her. Instead, when they worked on areas such as math, she would encourage and guide her to figure out the answers herself by asking her questions that made her think through problems. Speeches were an awesome way to boost her mentees self-worth and literacy together. At first, practicing her speeches was a task completed quickly and quietly, but after a few attempts she became clearer and more assured. Breaking through her shyness, her mentee made it to the speech semifinals. 

“I was very proud of her for this massive accomplishment, as I knew how difficult it was for her to talk in front of people when we first met. Supporting my mentee to develop her academic and personal confidence was an awesome experience,” says Alicia.  Looking back on the programme, Alicia recognises both the changes within herself and also in her mentee. Embracing new experiences and not giving up if things aren’t perfect the first time, growing together is one thing she’s taken away from this experience. "I grew in confidence within myself and I am more patient with people. I realized that not everyone sees things the same, and that it is important to try different approaches to help others understand in a way that makes sense to them. MATES also opened my eyes to how fortunate I am to have the life I have.”

“MATES showed me that my physical abilities have nothing to do with the amount of support I can give people. This really built my confidence and made me believe that I can do anything I want to do if I get myself out there.” Alicia’s inspiring testimony is one of many that sheds light into the life changing work that’s aided by The Young Hearts Project. Remember, when buying any full-price pair of Deuce sneakers, $5 per sale goes towards these programmes.

There’s more than meets the eye to our sneaker brand, Deuce, as with it, looking good and feeling good play hand in hand too. Through Deuce’s involvement with The Young Hearts Project, a charity designed to mentor, help and change the lives of Aotearoa's youth, we’ve seen the lives of many Kiwi’s changed; not only those on the receiving end, but those giving. One of the partners of The Young Hearts Project is the Graeme Dingle Foundation. A foundation that facilitates youth with social and academic skills, teaches resilience and self-worth. Today, we spotlight on Hohaia Hakaraia’s journey with the Stars Programme run by the Graeme Dingle Foundation and learn about what giving back, means to him.

The “lightbulb moment” for Hohaia Hakaraia’s pathway in life came when he was a mentor to Year 9 college students taking part in the Stars Programme run by the Graeme Dingle Foundation. The Stars programme strengthens young people for that tricky transition into secondary school, by training older students to mentor and walk alongside the new year 9s. Hohaia discovered he had a natural gift for helping others – “I found that influencing youth is a little bit addictive; the more you see the impact you are making on people, the more you want to see that impact growing, and the harder you try to impact others.” Without realising it, the Stars programme was impacting on him too.

“I didn’t realise it at the time but the programme gave me more confidence to step out into the world. It ignited a passion to help young people.” It also changed his perspective on life and led to a new role with the Graeme Dingle Foundation. “Having left high school, having had children and working in a full-time job, I realised I needed to spend more time with whanau. So, I got in touch with the Graeme Dingle Foundation and they gave me the opportunity to help influence youth in schools, especially in West Auckland which is a big thing for me.

“When I took that step, it solidified for me the knowledge of how passionate I am for helping people." Now, as a leader in the Kiwi Can programme, Hohaia understands its influence on young people. “Kiwi Can gives kids a break away from normal classes. They are allowed to have fun but at the same time they are learning about becoming a useful member of our community. It is all about positivity and giving them the tools they need for life.” This is important, he says, because many tamariki have parents who both work in 40-hour jobs and there is limited time to interact with whanau to learn the values of resilience and respect.

“Kiwi Can fills the gaps in tamariki learning about how to be a good individual. There are many times when individuals have amazed me by showing how much they have taken our programme’s teachings on board. “Watching the transformation of the classes as they come into Kiwi Can, and then the changes out in the playground as people show more respect and caring, is awesome.”

In his other role as the foundation’s bicultural advisor, Hohaia is keen to see Te Reo Mori used in programmes. “It is an awesome way to spread the love of our language. Our kaupapa, kohanga and tamariki usually have good pass marks but we know that only 20% of our Mori students are in kura kaupapa. The rest of the 80% are in mainstream education and we have to tap them into Te Reo.”

Overall, the main thing about Kiwi Can is its emphasis on positivity, he says. “In an ideal world, young people need to find happiness. We come from different backgrounds and upbringings, but the beauty of Kiwi Can is it focuses on the positives – for everyone.”

Hohaia’s inspiring story is one of many testimonies that show that the great work behind those involved in The Young Hearts Project. This charity is designed to positively impact the lives of Kiwi kids across the country, in more ways than one. Remember when buying any full-price pair of Deuce sneakers, $5 per sale goes towards these projects and helping others. 

Storm x Deuce collection available online and in selected stores now

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“We wanted to capture the ‘modern rock and roll’ edge of the Storm brand, in shoes that would appeal to both Deuce and Storm customers. We believe many New Zealand women feel strongly about supporting homegrown NZ brands and will shop in Storm for their apparel and Merchant 1948 for their footwear, it felt like the perfect pairing” says Director/Head of Design, Louise Anselmi. 

Deuce designer Tania's favourite sneaker of the collection, Hideaway, takes on the chunky sneaker with a metallic trim:

a trend showing no sign of abating on international catwalks.  

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Ring the alarm for Siren: a durable white leather sneaker with a modern, double-height sole and Storm's quintessential cosmic wing embroidery.  

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Storm Creative Director Deborah's most-loved sneaker of the collection, Ziggy, brings 'tell me about it stud' attitude, superb detailing and ultimate comfort with Deuce's signature dual-core footbed.  

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Watch the making of the collection:

Storm x Deuce collection available online and in selected stores now

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STATEMENT SLIDE

Sunshine and slides - name a more iconic duo. A holiday essential, the humble slide can take you from beach-front to dinner in no time. Perfect to slip on by the pool, for morning strolls, or wearing to the markets. Let all your cares slide away. 

LIGHTWEIGHT SNEAKER

The perfect companion on days meant for exploring - the lightweight sneaker is a must-have on vacation. Paired with floaty midi dresses, shorts and a linen shirt, or your activewear at the airport, you can't go wrong. 

GO-TO SANDAL

For when you need to step your outfit up a level without sacrificing on comfort - reach for our go-to sandals. In neutral, easy to wear colours, these mid-heel sandals will go with anything. Ideal for an al fresco lunch, daytime drinks, or strolling around to see the sights. 

SOMETHING NICE

For that restaurant you have been lusting over since you booked your holiday. With block heels and slim ankle straps, style and practicality co-exist for the perfect evening. Navigate narrow cobbled streets or sandy promenades with ease, who knows where the evening will take you? 

THE WEDGE

Reminiscent of warmer climates, fresh sea air, and stunning architecture, the wedge is a holiday icon not to be forgotten. With woven wrapping, a wearable heel height and natural detailing, the wedge completes any holiday outfit.  

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Realising that there were too many kids struggling with the challenges of life, and with some of the worst youth suicide rates in the developed world, Shane Anselmi, Managing Director of Overland Footwear Group, started the Young Hearts Project 5 years ago. Supporting youth across NZ and Australia, The Young Heart’s Project seeks to empower and inspire for the future, through four charity partners; Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Kiwi Can, Great Potential’s Mates program, Youthline, and most recently Headspace AU.

This May, The Young Hearts Project have teamed up together with the Graeme Dingle Foundation, supporting the incredible work that Kiwi Can does for our young people. Gifting each of the deserving Auckland based teachers a brand new pair of Deuce sneakers of their choice, Kiwi Can leaders can focus on their work impacting the lives of our youth, while being comfortable on their feet.

Helping to overcome the issues facing our young people through values based programs taught in schools across NZ, Shane says “The Kiwi Can leader, and the school, teaches kids important things like goal setting, making the connection between respect and relationships with other people, [and] how important connection is in doing the right thing and being accountable. [These are] all great messages that these kids often haven’t been taught, and for that, the program is really an outstanding success.” 

“We realised in this country in this beautiful country, New Zealand, that too many kids struggle with the challenges of life. We wanted to do something about it. So we formed The Young Hearts Project, trying to support, empower and help build resilience in young people.”

We caught up with four Kiwi Can leaders to discuss what the program means to them, the challenges that young people face in NZ, and how Kiwi Can lessons are truly changing the heart of our community. Echoed throughout are the leaders’ resounding passion for Kiwi Can, helping to transform kiwi kids lives and empower their futures. 

BRITTNEY

In her second year as a Kiwi Can leader, Brittney finds the small, everyday ‘aha’ moments the most rewarding, “especially kids who struggle to socialise positively, when they come to realise that they can respond or react in a positive way rather than through anger or through violence. We have a little boy at our school who’s been really angry and involved in a lot of fights… but after starting to come to Kiwi Can, he realised he didn’t have to be violent. He could actually talk it out with whoever he was arguing with. Even the teachers in his classes said that his behaviours improved, and he was getting more involved in participating.” She has one clear message to schools thinking about getting involved with Kiwi Can - “do it… it goes so much further than a lesson”. Over the duration of the term, children learn values, de-escalation skills, and are given recognition in a dynamic and playful environment, resulting in higher levels of engagement and a genuine excitement at school.

JOHN

The Program Coordinator for Manurewa, Pukekohe, and Mercer schools, John has been with the Graeme Dingle Foundation for over 8 years, starting with Project K and then transferring into Kiwi Can two years ago. He loved the idea of working with outstanding leaders, but also working within different schools and seeing the wider reach of the program as a coordinator. He’s never looked back. A reoccurring theme, John finds his involvement with both leaders and young people rewarding. “Just seeing young people come through the program really empowered, and the way they have a different outlook on their lives, and the things they can take back home and change, but also seeing that we can ‘move’ our Kiwi Can leaders too. It’s really great to see how they develop with them, to actually plant seeds into the children’s lives, and then see the fruits of their harvest over the year of the program.” John loves his weekly coffee sessions with the leaders, working through the incredible work they have achieved, the small moments, and how they can continue to improve the lives of our young people in the face of their challenges.

HERE

Here has been involved in Kiwi Can for the past 8 years as a leader – most recently becoming a Program Coordinator, and is a true testament to the success of the program, having been a Kiwi Can kid herself. Here has learnt a lot throughout her time both in the program and through teaching, saying to expect the unexpected. “They come up with the most amazing answers that you don’t even think of… the way that they speak to each other because that’s a really big thing. Even though we don’t really think about it, you see it [Kiwi Can] actually being practiced not only in the Kiwi Can classroom, but outside too. The change that I see happening within the kids, and also the environment that we’re all in. Whether it be in the school or out in the community too.” Having personally experienced the positive effects of Kiwi Can herself, Here says you “won’t regret it” to any school considering incorporating the program.

MAC

A Kiwi Can leader at Papatoetoe West Primary School, Mac has been with the program for over five years, and wouldn’t change his experience for a thing. Having found his passion for supporting youth and their struggles; previously working in an orphanage in Indonesia, Mac says the work is incredibly rewarding. “Just seeing the kids grow in their own lives… with some of the backgrounds that these kids come from and that they are able to adapt. I feel thankful myself that I am able to plant some sort of seed in their lives and they are able to grow up and be better people in their own families and the community. It’s why I do it.” On the success of the program, Mac believes its down to the dynamic learning environment the program presents, saying that Kiwi Can is “a fun environment to learn in, and when there is a lot of fun I think kids are more attracted to attend. They are more attached to the program and they attend. The program and values are taught not just through classroom learning, but through games as well.”

Over the course of a week, 8-10  deserving Kiwi Can leaders and coordinators visited our Deuce store on Teed street, Newmarket, finding out about how Deuce is helping to make a difference to their incredible program. Radiating warmth, and full of character, the leaders were given the opportunity to relax, be spoilt, and choose a brand new pair for themselves, taking another step towards changing the future for over 30,000 young people involved in Kiwi Can.

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Our passion is beautifully crafted shoes, sneakers and bags. And we are all about people... 

Here's what we believe...

Together we create to inspire.

Join us on our journey.

We asked the Merchant 1948 team what they're loving from our spring new arrivals.

AMANDA'S PICK

Digital Marketing Executive

"Galapagos is the perfect size to fit all your essentials! I love the versatility the bag has with the interchangeable tortoiseshell chain and shoulder strap." 

SHOP GALAPAGOS

GAYAN'S PICK

Senior IT Engineer

"I like the Franco boot because it's elegant and comfortable. They're handcrafted in Italy so when I walk in them, I let them do the talking." 

SHOP FRANCO

SOPHIE'S PICK

Field Visual Merchandiser

"I love the sleek finish on Denya combined with a neutral colour. It's super versatile and transeasonal." 

SHOP DENYA

MICHELE'S PICK

Footwear Designer

"Beatrice is my favourite this season because you can wear it how you want: with the strap or with the in-house designed leopard tie. It's such a playful style with the pink suede too." 

SHOP BEATRICE

CLAUDIA'S PICK

People & Culture Advisor

"White sneakers are my go-to and I can dress these up or down. I love the pop of colour on Poppy, the navy is a casual version instead of black." 

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NEIL'S PICK

Planning Assistant

"Filippo is a good all-round boot to dress up or dress down. I love the colour and they feature a Vibram sole so they'll last a long time!" 

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SAM'S PICK

Customer Experience Coordinator

"Libby's low heel is so comfortable for all-day wear plus the tortoiseshell details make these slides super elegant." 

SHOP LIBBY

ZACH'S PICK

Operations Support

"When I was younger I was really into high tops, wearing them now takes me back. The hardware on Maguire looks cool and black is such a staple colour. " 

SHOP MAGUIRE

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Let us know what you think in the comments below!

EXPLORE NEW ARRIVALS

Part of any summer memory is water, whether it's our love of the beach, lakes, or being by the pool.

Our new collection embodies that feeling; summer escapism and free-spiritedness.

This season we embrace bold colours, fresh prints and versatile styling.

Our team carefully curated an exciting range that will cover all aspects of your everyday summer style.

We are confident you'll love this season as much we do.

Shop Casey Mule    -    Gerber Bag coming soon

Shop Shelby Boot    -    Shop Wayland Slingback    -    Choupette Bag coming soon

Shop Waylan Sneaker

Shop Tilde Slide

Shop Hybert Lace Up

Shop Ronan Weekend Bag    -    Portman Boot coming soon    -    Choupette Bag coming soon

Shop Smile Barely There Mule

Shop Stina Mule

Shop Hermann Slip On

Chill Mule and Lady Bag coming soon

Cacti Sandal coming soon

Captain Boat Shoe coming soon

Cougar Sneaker coming soon

Filipa Heel coming soon

Tickle Loafer coming soon

Shop Draper Lace-Up    -    Shop Denya Mule

Keep an eye out for the Spring Summer 2019 catalogue coming to your mailbox AND online soon…

Have a peek at the campaign spotted throughout our website, Instagram, Facebook and in stores now!

Let us know what you think of Spring/Summer 19 in the comments below!

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Come behind the scenes of our spring shoot and get your first glimpse at new arrivals.

Big thanks to:

Stylist: Sammy Salsa @sammysalsastyle

Hair & make-up: Beauty by Alexandra @__beautybyalexandra

Model: Caprice from @uniquemodelmanagement @caprice.alyssa

Photographer: Hayley Bayliffe

Creative Lead: Delia Clare

BEHIND THE SCENES:

THE FINAL IMAGES: 

Have a peek at the final images spotted throughout our website, Instagram, Facebook and in stores now!

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SADDLE UP

For a touch of swagger and romance, we're channeling the aesthetics of the West through ornate buckles, cognac leather and sturdy heels.

ROYAL TREATMENT

From the rich red of a velvet curtain to the deep emerald and navy hues of the costume wardrobe, our palette this season is inspired by the jewel tones of the theatre.

FEELING FELINE

Symbolic of theatre's femme fatale and vixens, leopard print takes centre stage as a statement print this season. Adding a dash of drama to even the simplest outfit, it's a pattern that plays a key supporting role in your wardrobe.

JUST ADD MUSTARD

One of our favourite autumnal hues, mustard is a key player in our collection this season - injecting a subtle touch of wearable colour to your look (and a little bit of extra flavour).

SCENE STEALERS

Looking for drama? Try feature buckles and statement snake effect leather. We've also played with cut-out detailing this season, so show a little skin.

LONG GAME

A main player in the cast of your winter wardrobe, as always we've utilised quality craftmanship and timeless design to create our boot range this season.

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS

Essential footwear with something extra? We've given some of our go-to-styles a modern spin this season, exploring the darker side of autumn. Discover our new burgundy leather, pinhead stud detailing and crisp monochromes now.

DEUCE Women's

Your favourite sneakers (or they soon will be), Deuce combine contemporary style with innovative comfort - plus they're designed in New Zealand! This season sees a new hero material (corduroy!) in dusky rose and cool grey.

DEUCE Men's

Proudly designed right here in New Zealand, DualCore footbed technology is the cornerstone of Deuce sneakers, sitting alongside materials like premium leather and classic cotton canvas. A $5 donation from every full priced pair of Deuce sneakers sold is made to our Young Hearts Project charity initiative.

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Every good wardrobe needs a pair (or three) of elevated leather footwear for special events or simply upping your game. Whether you're an oxford man or prefer streamlined dress boots, the secret to the perfect pair is a sharp silhouette and the sleekest leather.

BULLBOXER

The key to Bull Boxer's style and wearability - Dutch design and Portuguese craftmanship. With quality leather, quirky details and functional soles, their range transcends occasion - going from desk to drinks with ease (so you can focus on more important things).

ARTURO

The Portuguese sure know footwear, and their craftsmanship is some of the best in the world! Our Arturo range champions wearability and uses quality, premium leather to elevate modern classics to something special.

MICHEL FOR MERCHANT

Want shoes that really go the distance? Our Michel range is handcrafted in Spain using the traditional Goodyear Welt technique (invented way back in 1871) which means they can be resolved again and again. Not only do they have endurance, but these premium leather shoes embody timeless style too.

ROSSO FIORENTINO

As handsome as they are hard-wearing, Rosso Fiorentino footwear boasts the famously sturdy Vibram soles. This range is the final word in premium Italian craftsmanship, and every pair is handmade by third generation shoemakers in the small town of Montecatini.

EXPLORE WOMEN'S NEW ARRIVALS  |  EXPLORE MEN'S NEW ARRIVALS

EXPLORE NEW ARRIVALS

Geneva is a designer, craft lover, blogger, author and most recently – a new mum. We sat down with Geneva to ask her about how she balances her busy lifestyle and how she gets ready for a jam-packed summer of travel and special occasions:

How do you balance life as a new mum, wife, blogger, creator and author?

It's a juggle, believe me! Running my own business, I wasn't really able to have more than a month of solid time off when Frankie was born, but I didn't mind. This career affords me so much flexibility that I could handle being back on email quite early on, although I took a bit of time to get back into big creative projects and shooting. One thing I have realised, is that I've had to change my expectations around keeping work and home life completely separate – now days the lines are blurred but that seems to be the only way to make it work!

How do you prepare for a busy spring/summer season?

The last few months have been a blur of having a new baby, so I'm very excited to have the opportunity to dress up and take a few hours off from being a mum. It feels like forever since I went all out, and it's definitely time. I wish I could say I do more prep for this busy season, but if anything I'll invest in a few simple statement outfits and accessories, then mix and match for the whole season!

What are your must-haves for a busy travel schedule?

Recently, I've really started to appreciate the art of travelling light. I used to think I needed every possible outfit on the trip with me. You simply can't do that with a baby, so I focus on giving myself enough time to pack, carefully choosing outfits that go together, culling shoes that I probably won't wear and picking things that mix and match really well. But always taking two phone chargers! You can never have enough of those!

What looks are you loving this season?

This season, I'm really inspired by Italian bombshells and vintage movie stars, so lots of big gold hoop earrings, form fitting dresses and a red lip. It's my way of feeling like I'm in Positano when really I'm just in the back yard.

Which shoes will you be wearing all season long?

Colour! A neutral palette has dominated for the last few years, and I'm so happy to see a bit more colour coming back into our wardrobes. I for one love a bright pop of colour and will definitely be translating that into the shoes that I'll be wearing.

Sam is a Melbourne-based designer, specialising in high quality menswear. Having been featured in Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia and British GQ – to name a few! – you could say Sam knows his boots from his brogues and is full of special occasion style tips:

What is your number one styling tip for men who want to change up their look this season?

Don't be afraid to experiment. This can be with accessories, textures and colours. Experimenting will allow you to figure out what works best for you based on your height, shape and complexion, etc. Trying different styles and accessories will give you an indication of where you should focus your efforts.

How do you get prepped for a big event?

I get a haircut one week before a big event. I also shine my shoes, steam my suit and make sure the grooming is all on track. There’s no point nailing the outfit but having scuffed shoes or missing out on a small detail. Details matter!

What are your must-haves for a busy spring/summer?

A hat. Australia has the highest skin cancer rates in the world. A hat protects you and really completes a sartorial look. Of course you should always invest in quality shoes, like the Merchant 1948 collection, and build up a versatile wardrobe not only in summer but all year round.

What is your favourite menswear look for the busy social season ahead?

Lately, I've been really feeling pinstripes. They are classic and highlight a man’s masculine features – broad shoulders, a strong chest – whilst being slimming through the waist.

How would you describe your signature style?

Dandy.

Originally a student of law and commerce, Ashleigh started her self-titled blog as a means of expressing her love for fashion and her creative side. We couldn’t wait to quiz Ashleigh on her sleek-yet-fun style and how she puts her best food forward during the festive season:

Which looks are inspiring you this season?

Classic, minimal, European-inspired chic looks are totally stealing my heart at the moment! Silk midi skirts paired with sweaters, blouses with boyfriend jeans, tailored mini dresses with big sleeve details, shoes that lace up the leg with denim skirts, stacked jewellery with everything, and oversized blazers.

What are your must haves for the spring/summer event calendar?

Spring/summer events are my favourite! My must haves are; a Little Black Dress (LBD) with a twist (an added statement feature such as a big sleeve or low back), a big hat, comfy lace up sandals, gold hair accessories, a beaded bag, cute sneakers and a ton of gold jewellery!

How would you describe your signature style?

I consider my style to be quite minimalistic and chic, but with an edge – a colour palette of mainly blacks and whites, an absence of print and always letting the jewellery and shoes do all the talking.

What are two unexpected looks we might see you in this season?

I’m really vibing more masculine looks this season which is different for me as my style is naturally quite feminine. Chunky ‘dad’ sneakers are suddenly really growing on me and I’ve also been loving longer lengths. I can’t remember the last time I wore a midi-skirt until l I added few silk midis to my closet this season!

How do you get ready for a great evening out?

I always make sure I have all my outfit elements sorted in advance. This is usually a LBD, a statement pair of heels to go with it, some big earrings and stacks of fine rings and necklaces. My biggest secret though is cranking some party tunes whilst getting ready – the key ingredient to preparation for an evening out!

Find out more here.

Feeling confident in your footwear is something I am a big believer in, especially when it comes to a long, hot summer of events, parties, family get togethers and holidays. When I’m choosing shoes for a new season I want to make sure I am going to be able to wear them to as many different events as possible, with as many different outfits as possible, without them dating or becoming uncomfortable. With this in mind, I have chosen my top five picks for this season from Merchant 1948’s spring summer collection:

The asymmetric design of this strappy stacked heel means it makes a statement while still being classic enough to wear to almost any event. Although the heel height is still a decent nine centimetres, the block construction means that it is super comfortable, while the ankle strap offers added support. I chose Bastion in timeless black, but it’s also available in baby pink – perfect for wearing with floral dresses and light coloured jeans all summer long. So far, I’ve paired my Bastion heels with a floaty Little Black Dress but I’m looking forward to wearing them pared back with skinny jeans and a tee or shirt for more dressed down occasions.

Another one from the asymmetric collection, Taupo is the perfect balance of smart and casual. This bone coloured slide is equally at home by the pool as it is at Sunday brunch. Pair it with a summer dress and kimono or shorts and a crisp white blouse like I did on a recent ‘staycation’ in Auckland. These slides are a true ‘90s throwback, complete with a toe thong feature – a look that is going to be huge this summer! For a variation on this style, opt for black and pair it with your favourite denim.

This shoe is one of Merchant’s most popular styles – and it’s not hard to see why! In fact, Malibu is so loved it’s now available in a variety of different colours! Whether you’re a fan of orange, red, dusty pink or classic black, there’s a Malibu for you. I went for the timeless, easy-to-wear nude coloured Malibu and I have been wearing it everywhere! The thing about Malibu is that it goes with almost everything – skinny jeans, wide-leg pants and of course, dresses of all descriptions. Colour wise, nude is perfect for pairing with not only denim and block colours but patterns and prints too. Which Malibu colour will you choose for summer?

Behold, the most comfortable sandal of them all! Replica is made from the softest leather and when I say soft, I mean it is soooo soft! All the way from Brazil, this simple style exudes that laid back vibe South America is so famous for, while still being smart enough to wear to an event or party. A slight wedge heel elevates this style, making it the perfect day-to-night sandal – perfect for those long lunches that spill over into the evening! Replica’s two-tone tan and black leather adds a subtle statement to your favourite look – I’ve been wearing mine with jeans and tees and throwing on a printed kimono for a more dressed up look.

Swift is an absolute favourite of mine! I know it’s not officially summer just yet, but I am wearing this sandal as often as I can, with all of my favourite looks. Swift is the perfect low-heeled, minimalist dress sandal for wearing with summer dresses, denim or even just casual daywear. I believe comfort should never get in the way of style, which is why a shoe like Swift is an absolute must-have for my wardrobe.

Love Makaia’s top picks for summer? Treat yourself to Clyde, Replica, Malibu, Bastion or Taupo online or in-store this season.

EXPLORE THE JOURNEY CONTINUED

The launch event was hosted by Nikki Phillips, a New Zealand blogger, model and television host based in Australia. Our very own Director and Head of Design, Louise Anselmi joined Nikki for a Q&A session about all things Merchant.

Guests enjoyed lunch and a private viewing of the SS18 collection, against the backdrop of beautiful florals and the pastel colours of the Botanica Vaucluse.

Join us every Friday until 7pm - find out the store location here.

Marcel and Astrid, family

Tabbie and Suki, sisters

Shelley and Waylon, couple

Connecting through music

Arna and Alex, couple

A musical journey

Taking the next step

Tory and Perri, best friends

The power of dance

Nothing in common

After Tash sucked up the courage to ask Kenny for his number, it still took weeks for Kenny to ask her out. In fact, “Kenny didn’t believe that I would actually turn up, so he did a drive by twice to make sure I was there". Unlike other couples, they have little hobbies or interests in common. Tash insists they’re “literally like chalk and cheese” however she quickly realised that what drew them together was something more important; “in the end we knew what really connected us, it was our values - what we stand for and what we believe in… Interests and hobbies are something you can adapt to, but when you have a deep connection where another person can understand your true self, now that right there is the WOW moment.”

For Kenny, one thing above all is key to overcoming their differences “We comprise on a lot things to make each other happy” and Tash agrees “We always meet halfway, can’t always be one sided. I would say this is what keeps us grounded.” He sees their differences, and how they’ve transcended them, as what sets their relationship apart. “What makes our relationship special is that we have learned to love one another for who we are and what attracted us in the first place, and not try to change each other’s personalities just because we are together.”

Growth and change

Through their four years together, and with all their differences, they’ve both had to grow and help each other to do so. For Tash, this growth came from the very start “When I met Kenny I was going through a lot in my life at that time; there were lots of challenges that I was facing, and I was struggling to keep myself together in my life… But Kenny took me as I was. He brings out a side of me that no one else could see.” Tash credits Kenny for helping her grow into a strong woman. Kenny has helped me grow into a strong woman. His tough love has taught me how to take challenges head on and to never give up! He knows how to make feel empowered. With him I feel I can do absolutely anything! He's my strength, he really is my strength.”

Tash isn’t the only one who’s embraced change, Kenny has grown too. “A lot of his friends tell me that since we've been together he's just blossomed. When I first met Kenape he had no clue about kids but he also understood how important my nieces are to me. He embraced it all and really took on the uncle role… Together we provide for these kids like they our very own.” Undoubtedly though, it’s his drive for his own personal growth that inspires Tash the most. “Kenny’s biggest achievement is definitely allowing himself to be who he wants to be and not letting the world or even society tell him otherwise. He takes full control of his life to ensure that no matter where he ends up, he will be happy with the decisions he’s made. To be a part of his life is just incredible.”

Both embrace their own flaws, and each other’s “One thing that Kenny has taught me in this relationship that really stands out is that our flaws make us who we are and that I need to appreciate them more because one day they will mould me into something that I probably didn’t realise I can become. We work because we understand each other’s faults; we work because Kenny knows how to turn my crazy into something we can both laugh at; we work because after a bad moment we learn about what good we get out of it.”

Family is everything

For Kenny, it’s always been so important to make his family proud. “My parents sacrificed everything to leave their homeland just so they can give me and my siblings a better life that they never had.” He now has multiple university degrees under his belt. “I’m so grateful my dad also got to witness it before he passed away. I’m also in a position to give back to my community, by being involved in various community groups which strive to lift the achievements of Pacific People to the point where they are self-sufficient and less reliant on government for assistance and services.

Illness and loss are a natural part of families, and these are struggles they’ve had to face during their relationship. Kenny lost his father in 2015, and credits Tash with pulling him through this dark period. “Sadly he won’t get to see that or my future kids growing up. I know without her by my side, my whole world could have turned upside down; but we managed to pull through it, even if it meant sometimes she bore the brunt of my frustrations at coming to grips with losing a love one and questioning why things happen in life.” Tash is inspired by Kenny’s love for his family. “He has such a caring heart; watching him care for his mother (who has Parkinson’s and dementia) really showed me how much love he is willing to offer to the most important people in his life.”

Making Sacrifices

Their drive for personal growth, and the growth of others, means that sacrifice is an inherent part of their relationship. For Tash, the thing they sacrifice most is time. “This man holds down two jobs to provide for me as well as our families (even though he doesn’t need to). He also helps manage the rugby league team that he’s been a part of since childhood. He is also a part of the Specifically Pacific Committee who help organise the Polyfest as well as the careers expo in Christchurch.”

Tash sometimes finds this hard. “He is a busy, busy man and I often complain about how much he works, but he always puts things in perspective so I understand what it means to be a provider as well as how important it is to give back to the community.” She admits they put themselves last sometimes “The one thing that we lose out on is ‘What about us? What do we need for us?’ (but) he taught me that, that family is important, no matter what and you know helping people is the most important.” Tash credits one thing in particular as the key to overcoming their sacrifices of time and self. “We know how to communicate and when is the right time to communicate as well.”

Although Kenny isn’t much of a talker, his actions speak for themselves and inspire everyone he meets (including us) “Kenny will do absolutely anything for anyone, even if it means it’s out of his way; no is not an option for Kenny.” We saw this first hand during our campaign shoot - for Kenny he sacrificed his humility and comfort zone for Tash, “It means a lot for Tash to be a part of this campaign. If this is what it takes… I would gladly strut my stuff just to put a smile on her face and to let her shine in the lime light.”

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The wheels fall off

My realisation

Growth and moving offshore