This year marks 12 years since Nine Lives first opened its doors on Maunganui Road, and have recently relocated to Prince Avenue. What began as a small consignment venture between a mother and daughter has grown into a much-loved destination for vintage lovers and fashion hunters alike. At the helm is owner Kim Devcich, whose eye for timeless style and her warm, personable energy has kept Nine Lives thriving.
We caught up with Kim to chat about the store’s evolution, her love of vintage, and what keeps her inspired after more than a decade in business.
Tell us about the early days.
Nine Lives started as a summer pop-up run by a brother and sister home from uni. My daughter Yasmin and I loved the idea and took it on in 2012. It was the first consignment store in town. It took time for people to catch on, but it felt special doing it together. Yasmin eventually went travelling, but she’s still in the background today, helping with buying and bouncing ideas around.
Was there a defining moment or experience that sparked your love of vintage fashion?
I have a particular love of vintage, sparked by my time in New York when I was 20 working for an antiques dealer. I’d clear out estates and was exposed to the most stunning clothes. If I knew then I would end up owning my own store one day, I would have sent so many treasures home!
Tell us about a memorable piece that’s crossed your path.
I think the best op shop find we have had was a Gucci leather bejewelled biker jacket for $40. But we have had some incredible things find their way to us, too.
A 1930s wedding dress was recently dropped off by an elderly woman. She brought in the photo of her mother wearing it on her wedding day – those are the moments that make my job special. I got to call her when the dress sold, and shared that a gorgeous young bride-to-be fell in love with it! So the dress lives on almost 100 years later.
Nine Lives has such a loyal following. What do you think makes the store so special for your customers?
We’ve had some customers from the beginning, including a yearly visitor from Canada and women who do their annual shop with us. Mums, daughters, grandmothers – it’s a space that brings generations together. That’s the beauty of Nine Lives.
How do you go about sourcing pieces? Do you have any favorite fashion haunts or stories of serendipitous finds?
We source pieces from around the world, especially Levi’s and cowboy boots, thanks to great contacts I have made and cherished over the years. While I haven’t travelled as much since Covid, I’m hoping to get back out there this year to hunt for summer treasures.
You also do consignment, how has that part of the business evolved?
Consignment continues to be really popular for us. It’s great to see the growth around second hand pieces, and the awareness of fast fashion’s negative impact. Customers love having credit with us, which allows them to then shop for gaps in their closet for the new season.
You recently moved locations but stayed on Maunganui Road. What prompted the shift?
After 12 years in the same spot (at 277 Maunganui Road), we decided to move further into town in February. I jumped at the chance when the new space serendipitously came up. My husband Brent (of Devcich & Co) and builder Clay Williams helped get us up and running in just five days. The response from our customers has been incredible and I am super grateful and a little bit proud of how far we have come.
You have such an effortless sense of style—how would you describe your personal aesthetic? Are there any style eras or designers you’re especially drawn to?
One of the benefits of getting older is confidence with your sense of style. I’ve got a blackbelt in shopping, haha! I try and shop from my store as much as possible. But I’m also drawn to Japanese fashion, and love mixing vintage with New Zealand designers like Moochi, Zambesi, NomD and Kowtow, and I’m obsessed with ‘70s style. Right now, I’m loving winter textures, but I’ve got my eye on some Chloe-inspired summer pieces for the next season.
What do you love most about this place we call home.
I have always been super appreciative of the fact I had a thriving little business in the most beautiful beach town in New Zealand. The Mount is fortunate to have so many cool, independently-owned stores and my hope is they continue to be favoured, especially during the winter months.
After this long in business, what keeps you inspired?
What keeps me inspired are definitely my customers – they are like friends. I am also lucky to share a warped sense of humour and a passion for all things vintage with Jen, Nine Lives’ manager. We have a great time together and I think that adds to our customer experience.
What’s something about vintage fashion that people often misunderstand, or something that you wish more people appreciated?
People often don’t realise the work that goes in behind the scenes, sourcing, cleaning, mending and researching. We’re not an op shop, and that difference matters.
Where can we find you if you’re not at Nine Lives?
We have an incredible bunch of independent business on Prince Avenue alone. My current go-to order is avocado on toast and or coffee and banana bread at Soul Boul, or kimchi omelette, green smoothie and a peach muffin at Gratitude Eatery. My favourite wine is at Sailor, and I go to Agave for damn good Mexican food. The cacao smoothie at Vitality Organics is delicious, and for an early dinner after work I love the slow-cooked lamb at Alpino.
Nine Lives
9 Prince Avenue, Mount Maunganui
