Wearables

Stunning concept store a showcase of hard-to-find goods

A curation of beautiful objects for the discerning design enthusiast or taste maker.

When Kasey Attard and partner Sam Treffers saw the stunning red brick and concrete precinct that would become Cornerstone Stores being constructed in 2017, they were more than curious.

As Currumbin locals, they were excited that a new commercial precinct was being built in the area, and when tenancies were advertised, an idea started to form that quickly came to fruition.

“I think it was around November or December 2017 when Sam and I saw there were tenancies available,” says Kind Curations owner and operator, Kasey.

“By February 2018 we opened our doors – so it was a very quick turnaround!”

Kasey felt the Gold Coast was missing a beautifully curated concept store and with her background in retail and extensive travel experience, decided to take the leap and create one herself.

“Kind Curations was originally half the size it is now, with a firm focus on homewares, gifting and womenswear” says Kasey.

“We have grown a lot since then and have doubled our retail space, expanding into menswear.”

Kind Curations mostly stocks small boutique brands, which is something Kasey cares a lot about.

“I try to find brands that are of course beautiful, but also unique and people haven’t likely heard of before,” says Kasey.

“The idea behind the store is that it’s meant to be a journey of discovery.

“We really think about the brands we stock and work mostly with small labels because we are a small business ourselves and know how valued each and every sale is.

“Usually, small brands are making things in a socially and environmentally responsible way too, which is something we wholeheartedly support.

“But most importantly, each brand has to resonate with our own style and something we’d want in our own home.”

Kasey says that her personal style is clearly reflected in the pieces she stocks at Kind Curations and chooses to steer clear of trends in favour of items that are classic and timeless – something her customers also hold in high regard.

“We have a broad range of customers but the key thing that defines them is that they are design conscious.

“They value functional design and focus on a long lifecycle for clothing and homewares, instead of something that goes out of style after only one season.

“A great example is our men’s range, which is now one of the strongest categories in store.

“It has evolved as our customer has and focuses on beautiful cuts of basic items, such as a classic but well-cut t-shirt or button up shirt.”

In the next few weeks, Kind Curations will be launching its new website.

“Our bricks and mortar store has always been the strongest seller but throughout the COVID-19 lockdown last year, we realised the need to improve our online shopping experience.

“I am also eight months pregnant, and although we have amazing staff at our store to manage it while I’m on maternity leave, improving our online presence will enable our business to grow logistically when I’m working more from home.”

Kasey says they also have plans for another store in the future but hope to start that journey with a couple of different pop-up stores first.

“We’d love to do a pop-up concept store in Sydney at the end of the year,” says Kasey.

“But at this stage it depends on how our world is looking closer to that timeframe.”

When asked about her favourite products in store, Kasey said it’s very hard to choose but listed a few that we a very keen to check out.

“A new brand we have is Post Sole Shoes, who create timeless, meticulously crafted shoes right in Melbourne,” says Kasey.

“I also love Matteau clothing and swimwear and Maison Balzac glassware – I’ve been using this so much at home.

“We also have a huge assortment of books.

We recently got in a really amazing Mexican cookbook and the book Resident Dog, which is about incredible homes and the dogs that live there – it’s really well shot and such an interesting take on a design book.

“I also can’t go past Dutchies incense. I’ve been burning this constantly.”

If you’d like to visit Kind Curations and shop their amazing range of brands instore, visit Cornerstone Stores from 9am – 4pm, 7 days a week.

Alternatively you can shop online at kindcurations.com.