Based in the South Island’s Oamaru on Itchen Street, Inc Design Store is a beautiful concept store showcasing a curated mix of art, homewares, jewellery, clothing and lighting by independent design thinkers. It may be small but it is mighty, with destination visitors from all around the world every day.
Founder, owner and curator of Inc Design Store, Helen Riley-Duddin, runs the space with her husband alongside her team.
Riley-Duddin’s background is in design, having studied and taught design on degree programmes. Working with aspiring and emerging independent creatives is her bread and butter, with Inc Design Store being the natural evolution of her 20-year career working with creatives to-date.
“Most of our designers are New Zealand based, but some are from further afield,” explained Riley-Duddin.
“We've always said, stepping into Inc Design is an experience for all the senses. The visuals are the space itself, the lighting, the artworks, the visual feast as you take in the store. There's a feeling of spaciousness with our six metre high ceilings, we keep the temperature comfortable, and we welcome the glassware and the objects being touched and interacted with.”
Music plays a big part in this experience too. The team uses it to set both a pace for perusing the creative space, but also to give space to each visitor to enjoy browsing in the company of the music without a pressure to enter conversation until they're ready.
“We love to create a welcoming atmosphere - a slower pace, upbeat, positive, soulful, jazzy, sometimes creative covers, often female vocalists. Our space is about creativity and inspiration so we ensure the music is a fit with this vibe,” Riley-Duddin added.
The playlist has been 10 years in the making and is something Helen has curated and used for all of her workspaces and retail stores in the past decade - with the addition and subtraction of a few as to keep things fresh and evolving. It includes some favourite New Zealand artists, such as Benee's Kua Kore He Kupu/Soaked, Six60's Pepeha, and some classics from Bic Runga.
“Paying for our licence to play music, and proudly showing our OneMusic sticker on our door shows that we stand behind supporting creatives, which is integral to our business.”
“Almost always, our visitors complement our playlist as part of the super cool experience of visiting our store. When you get the music right it's very memorable.”
