Enter Gina Fabish’s New Plymouth store—a treasure trove of memories and dreams that was always meant to be.
When asked how she found herself on a career path that has led her through a multitude of creative pursuits, Ngāmotu/New Plymouth photographer, interior designer and now store owner Gina Fabish says, “I’m not sure it was ever a choice; I’ve never imagined anything different, so I think it’s more a way of being.” As a creative multi-hyphenate, she credits growing up with parents who were collectors for shaping her appreciation of individuality and creativity.
What do you enjoy about the different disciplines you explore — photography and interiors specifically? I love that it is really all about storytelling through light, texture and composition, creating a feeling and narrative through these elements.
Both interior design and photography are quite an intimate process of getting to know someone’s home — what is it that really makes a house a home, do you think? Individuality. I love homes that have guts and that little unexpected mix, homes that speak to who lives in them, homes with layered, collected pieces that have been gathered with intention and love over time.
And your most recent endeavour — Cool and Collected — how did that come about? Since leaving school my dream was always to own a small vintage store that was curated with a mix of pieces. It’s been a winding road to get back to a place of simply following a dream, gathering along the way the required lessons.
Tell us about the store/studio space you occupy in Ngāmotu/New Plymouth? Had you been looking out for something for a while, or did you stumble across it? I stumbled across it, I suppose. Before this, I was in an upstairs studio adjacent to my current space on Liardet Street. It was an amazing studio with steel windows and a lot of history — a great holding/beginning space. My self-belief really flourished there. But it had no street frontage and tricky stairs that were real character-building stuff when dealing with vintage furniture! I’d look at this space from across the way and think what a cool little shop it’d be. So, when I saw it had come available I jumped at the opportunity.
Did you have to do much to the space to make it your own? It was a blank canvas, as it had previously been a photography studio. The building sits alongside (and was built at the same time as) the amazing Methodist church designed by architect John Bowering in the ’60s. I’d had the idea of a powder-blue shop interior for a little while and this space with its stainless-steel window trim and ’60s aesthetic spoke to that. The colour sits well against the church. I painted throughout (walls and ceiling), and added lighting and fabric for softness and texture. I had to be pretty resourceful with the fitout but I always enjoy this challenge. I designed the aluminum shelving and I love the utilitarian aesthetic against the vintage pieces. The joy of vintage is that so much feel and personality is in the pieces, which bring an ever-evolving energy and story to the space.
How do you use the space in your day-to-day/week-to-week? It’s my little creative base where I have client meetings and curate my shop. I also photograph all my pieces here for marketing purposes. I work on various projects, typically Monday to Thursday, if I’m not out photographing. I’m open on Fridays and Saturdays — I love these days as it’s total shop and customer focus, and I always love a good chat.
How would you describe your interior aesthetic? Has it evolved much over the years? Definitely classic with a twist. I do think it’s always evolving, and I’m always learning by mixing and playing with different eras/periods.
You have a great eye for unique treasures — what informs your choices when you’re sourcing? What makes you say yes or no to a piece? It could be age, patina or shape. Anything with a sculptural or unusual shape. Anything that has been made by hand and has tactile imperfection.
And where do you hunt out these pieces (no worries if you don’t want to share)? Oh here, there and everywhere. Estate sales… auctions… I’m forever on the hunt. It’s my happy escape and healthy obsession, I think! I’m lucky I have a great little network who help me source also, both here and overseas.
It must be tricky deciding what you keep for yourself and what you move on sometimes? Yes, sometimes it is. I often say if I’d kept all of my ultimate favourite pieces, my goodness, my home would be outta this world. I do get a lot of joy from photographing the pieces, holding them in store and seeing other people love and appreciate the beauty, so my cup stays full that way.
How do you think adding vintage pieces to an interior can help make it special/meaningful? What’s the value of vintage? Often I think it’s an intangible feeling. I love the mix of different eras of vintage together and how it can create its own kind of narrative. Sometimes you put certain items together and it just speaks a kind of magic. Different periods and styles are often referencing each other and combining these in subtle ways brings the storytelling.
New Zealand interiors are quite safe a lot of the time. Any recommendations for people struggling to find/hone their personal style? Go with your gut and how you would like things to feel. I think people often get caught up in that on-selling mentality where they think about everyone but themselves in the equation. Also, don’t be afraid to mix and play. There are no rules and there is magic in the unexpected.
ginafabish.com/shop
Interview Alice Lines
Photography Gina Fabish