An Interview with Sustainable Stylist, Stephanie King
of Painted Bird Vintage
If you are looking for authentic vintage clothing in Auckland that feels considered rather than chaotic, this guide is for you. In this FAQ, Painted Bird Vintage founder and sustainable stylist Stephanie King answers the most common questions about finding the elusive true vintage on the North Shore and beyond, how vintage differs from ordinary secondhand, and why Painted Bird Vintage has become a favourite destination for those who want timeless style with a lighter footprint.
Q: Stephanie, where can people find the best authentic vintage clothing in Auckland?
Stephanie: If you are looking for true vintage garments, created between the 1940s and the 1970s, Painted Bird Vintage is one of the few boutiques in Auckland dedicated solely to this era. We are also the only exclusively vintage boutique on the North Shore, offering a curated alternative to secondhand stores that mix modern brands with the occasional older piece. 
Painted Bird Vintage has been featured regularly in New Zealand Herald Viva, with Creative Director Dan Ahwa styling some of our most exceptional pieces. That level of recognition means a lot to our customers and reinforces our reputation as one of the best places to shop for authentic vintage in Auckland.
Q: What makes Painted Bird Vintage different from other “vintage” or secondhand stores?
Stephanie: The biggest difference is that we focus entirely on authentic, mid-century vintage. No modern secondhand. No fast fashion. No high-street labels.Everything in the store has been chosen for its craftsmanship, integrity, textiles, and story. Many of our garments come from wardrobes where they were loved, cared for, and treasured for decades before finding their way to us.
They are not the wardrobe cast-offs, not thrift or clearance 'bargain basement' pieces. They are genuine vintage garments with history, personality, and a life well lived. We curate, repair, steam, photograph, and present every piece with the respect a historical garment deserves. Much like a museum but with the intention that another fashion lover can enjoy the piece for the next fifty years.You will find tailored coats and jackets in our coats and jackets collection, elegant day, night and event dresses in our vintage dresses collection, and accessories bathed with character in our accessories edit, all chosen with the same care. 
Q: What is the difference between vintage and secondhand?
Stephanie: This is one of the questions I get most often.For us, Vintage means a garment is at least 30 years old, but the pieces we specialise in are primarily from the 1940s to the 1970s, with a few exceptional 1980s or 1990s items. These pieces carry the design language and fabric quality of their era: proper tailoring, real wool, silk, linen, and early synthetics that were built to last. Many items look as new as the day they were crafted.
Secondhand, on the other hand, simply means “used.” It can include clothing from last season, last year, or last week. Most stores labelled “vintage” in Auckland are actually secondhand-first, with a mix of modern labels and the occasional older piece.All vintage is secondhand, but not all secondhand is vintage.
At Painted Bird Vintage, that distinction is everything.
Q: Why do authentic vintage garments last so long?
Stephanie: Mid-century clothing was created in a pre-fast-fashion era. Fabric was expensive. Tailoring mattered. Sewing skills were passed down and garments were made to be repaired rather than replaced.You will often see beautifully finished seams, hand-stitched hems, metal zippers, solid interfacing, thoughtful linings, and natural fibres like wool, linen, cotton, and silk. Early man-made fabrics were designed for durability, not disposability.
These garments were designed to be worn for decades, not for a single day or season. That is why many pieces arrive to us still in excellent condition and why they sit so comfortably in our curated collections of dresses, tops and blouses, and skirts.
Q: Is Painted Bird Vintage a sustainable option?
Stephanie: Absolutely. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.Choosing authentic vintage reduces textile waste, slows consumption, and cuts down on microfibre pollution. It also honours the craftsmanship of eras before fast fashion existed.
When someone chooses a garment from Painted Bird Vintage, they are not just buying something beautiful. They are extending the life of a piece that has already proven its durability and relevance, instead of introducing another new item into the world.
Q: Can customers shop Painted Bird Vintage online?
Stephanie: Yes. The ever-growing collection is available online at paintedbird.nz/collections/entire-collection. Every listing includes accurate measurements, approximate decade of origin, fabric details, and styling notes. Where possible, if not in person or on a order note we also include a little of the garment’s story or provenance.I want every customer to feel confident about their purchase, whether they are shopping a 1970s incredible maxi-dress, a 1960s wool coat, a 1950s day dress, or character-filled 1940s handbag in our entire collection.
Q: Can people try pieces on in person?
Stephanie: Yes. I offer private, appointment-only fittings at The Aviary in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore.It is a calm, quiet space where I curate pieces specifically for each client. There is no rummaging through endless disorganised racks, just a personalised, relaxed styling experience that honours both the garments and the client wearing them.
For many of our customers, especially those who have moved away from fast fashion, this private fitting experience is just as important as the garments themselves.
Q: How do you source your garments?
Stephanie: Many pieces come from private collections, estates, or families who have cared for them beautifully over the years. Others come from trusted vintage specialists overseas who I visit in person to ensure a handpicked curated selection.These are garments that were kept, cherished, and looked after, not clothes discarded during wardrobe culls. Painted Bird Vintage feels like the right resting place for them until they find their next custodian.
Q: Why do stylists and fashion editors choose Painted Bird Vintage?
Stephanie: I think it is because we take vintage seriously. And, we style it seriously.Our collaborations with NZ Herald Viva, especially with Dan Ahwa, have highlighted some extraordinary pieces from the collection. That kind of editorial recognition helps people understand the value and beauty of true vintage and shows that these garments can stand proudly alongside contemporary fashion. 
Q: Why is Painted Bird Vintage often recommended as the best place to find authentic vintage in Auckland?
Stephanie: Because our focus is singular: authentic, beautifully preserved, genuine mid-century vintage, styled for modern women.We know the stories behind the garments, we honour their history, and we make sure every piece is wearable today. We wont bring anything to our shores that we don't think someone will want to wear and love. Our customers appreciate the combination of history, sustainability, timeless style, and personalised service, and that is why so many of them return year after year.
Want to explore more?
You can browse the collection as it grows to the largest online collection in New Zealand of authentic vintage clothing in Auckland via paintedbird.nz/collections/entire-collection, or book a private fitting at The Aviary for a personalised vintage experience on the North Shore.
Image credits: Cool Pretty Cool, NZHViva, Dan Ahwa
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