Sexy Rexy
25/08/2010 4:57:00 p.m.
Capital Times celebrates entrepreneurs with a passion for the city.
RETAIL boutique and fashion gallery Rex Royale started out as a small vintage store at the St James Markets. Fifteen years on it sells Dangerfield and Paul Frank, appealing to superstars Liv Tyler and Orlando Bloom, and local favourites the Phoenix Foundation and Shihad’s Jon Toogood.
In 2000 storeowner Jacki Condra turned her bare walls into an exhibition space, showcasing works by artists like Mephisto Jones as well as staging live performances by Hollie Smith and P-Diggs.
Condra’s best mate and business partner Madeline Richardson came up with the shop name while reading the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal magazine and listening to Bachelor Pad Royale lounge music. They chose Rex because it is androgynous and means “King” (especially for the male customers).
“In the first week we opened Peter McLeavey popped his head in and told us that “Rex Royale” was a 1940 comic strip character. We have since discovered there is a hotel, a coffeemaker and a band in the South Island called Rex Royale,” Condra says.
Where were you born, and what inspired you to start your own business?
I was born in Christchurch, but have lived in Welly since I was five. I have entrepreneurial blood in my veins. My natural mother ran a vintage clothing stall at the markets in Sydney, and then had her own shop. My grandfather ran an antique store and a night club in Christchurch in the 60s.
What kind of kid were you?
I was a pretty imaginative kid. I am an only child, so many days were spent playing with Barbies, talking to snails, and recording my own radio shows on my tape recorder.
What is one of the first things you remember buying?
When I was eight I went to a garage sale and bought a cream vase which I still use in Rex today. I then somehow convinced mum to let me have a garage sale of my own and proceeded to sell off all my toys to the neighbourhood. I regret selling Haunted House, I have never been able to find that game again.
What was the first job that satisfied you?
Working at Chelsea Records in Manners Mall circa 88. Music music everywhere. If I hadn’t opened a fashion boutique I would have definitely opened a music store.
Have you always been interested in fashion?
My Nana used to send out all her beautiful old sparkly dresses from the 60s, and I used to cut them up and make clothes for my Barbies (she will be turning in her grave). I even made a bear suit out of a candlewick bedspread for my Ken doll, so he could go to a fancy dress party.
If you could dress anyone who would it be and why?
Probably musicians, actors and artists. I gave the Phoenix boys some lovely vintage Argyle sweaters a few years ago. I used to get kids coming in wanting to buy
“the top that Jon Toogood was wearing”, as he used to dress in Dangerfield and Illicit.
Can you imagine your son Louis running the shop one day?
I wish I could see what Louis would do if he had reign of Rex. It’s so many years down the line; he is already a little mascot for us. He is constantly surrounded by beautiful fashion ladies and lads. He may just prefer to become a dentist, or a lawyer.
