Ruby

Ruby is the vision of 2 great friends, Elizabeth Shand and Kate Ashford. Ruby began in 1999 and was a result of an identified gap in the market for girls sportswear. Beginning with snowboarding outerwear the brand quickly progressed to urban leisure wear, with a focus on casual pieces that looked great and felt even better to wear.

Supplying retailers around New Zealand for 3 years, the Ruby brand became well known for fantastic fabrics, colours and original prints. Today Ruby is still about producing high-quality garments that are not dictated by the trends of the season. The “sweet but street” style of Ruby has proved to be popular and the label has a reputation for fun, street clothing.

In 2005 Madame Hawke…by Ruby was created and has become known as the older sister of Ruby. A sophisticated and luxurious label, using natural fibres such a silks, cottons and wools, the collection is smaller and more directional than Ruby. Each season Madame Hawke offers tailored jackets, pants, shirts and skirts and stunning evening dresses. There is always an element of corporate in each collection and loyal followers love its definitive edge.

In 2002 Ruby’s opened its first gorgeous boutique in Auckland’s High Street, which was followed by a store in the Old Bank Arcade in Wellington in 2003 and a third in Teed Street, Newmarket in 2005. Known for a warm welcome and great service, the Ruby girls are trained to ensure customers look and feel their best.

The Ruby story continues to unfold with the exciting launch of an e-commerce site in 2007, to ensure all Ruby fans around New Zealand and overseas don’t miss out on the Ruby experience.