The Mercer Store
Lydia Riddiford
The Mercer Store
Uncomplicated fashion to outlast seasonal trends, the destination for a considered wardrobe edit.
www.themercerstore.co.nz
@themercerstore
Launched in late November 2019, The Mercer Store is a curated e-commerce boutique founded by design graduate Lydia Riddiford.
Acting as owner, manager and buyer (and everything in between), she says the past month or so has been a whirlwind in the best way, “Everyone has been so uplifting and supportive of my new endeavour.”
We asked her a few quick Q’s about launching a business in a competitive market, what a minimalist wardrobe really means and some of the challenges she has faced along the way.
Tell us about your background and what led you to found The Mercer Store.
It has been varied, but always in the realm of design in some aspect. I studied Spatial Design at uni before moving to New York to work for an architecture firm, DHD Architecture. After a year in the US, I moved home and started a stationery brand with a friend designing diaries and planners. Shortly after, I moved to Sydney to work for an online fashion store called The Undone. This was when I knew my true passion was fashion, and that I wanted to start my own curated e-commerce boutique in New Zealand.
What is the story behind the name?
Mercer Street was my favourite street for shopping in New York. Mercer also means “a dealer in fine fabrics and textiles”, which is what Mercer Store is.
You’re the first NZ stockist for high end international brands Anna Quan, Mara Hoffman, Mari Giudicelli and Frame ready-to-wear. How were you able to make this happen and what were some of the challenges involved with bringing them here?
The main challenge was conveying my vision of The Mercer Store and convincing them my little online store was aligned to such incredible international design brands.
“I was really lucky to receive such a supportive response from the brands and I was invited to Paris to view and purchase their collections. So off I went, on my first solo buying trip.”
You have a minimalist taste in fashion and design. What does this embody for you and why does it hold such appeal?
I’m a firm believer in buying once and buying right. A minimalist wardrobe ensures the pieces you purchase transcend trends, thus reducing your waste footprint. I’ve also always been drawn to a classic aesthetic, in both fashion and interior design. I feel more confident and find everything in life easier when I have a minimalist approach.
What is the most important thing consumers should consider when shopping sustainably?
Work toward a wardrobe that transcends seasons and promote brands whose collections are continuations of the same story. Fast fashion and trends take a toll on our beautiful planet with the amount of apparel waste it results in. To buy more consciously means selecting pieces that remain relevant and that are made with natural fibres and fabrics rather than synthetics.
What’s your go-to summer outfit?
A pair of lightweight wide-leg pants, a singlet and some slides—my favourite are the Mara & Mine Xanthe Slides. I’m a big fan of neutral tones so you’ll usually see me in an earthy or monochrome palette.
Okay, one last thing before you go:
Favourite piece at Mercer right now?
The Spencer Top in white by Anna Quan.
Best way to spend a Saturday?
Start the day with brekky at home with my partner Sam followed by a trip to the driving range to work on my golf. Later it’s catching up with friends and family for a wine and meal.
What are you reading right now?
Normal People by Sally Rooney.