Art Fun Wear Invercargill – Unique Wearable Art & Gifts

You know that feeling when you stumble into a tiny shop and every shelf holds something unexpected — a hand-painted jacket, a dried-flower bouquet, a quirky toy you’ve never seen before? That’s exactly the vibe at Art Fun Wear in Invercargill. Tucked away in the city centre, this local store blends wearable art with creative gifts, offering a glimpse into New Zealand’s grassroots craft culture.

Address: 12 Don Street (disputed – also listed as 92 Spey Street) · Phone: (03) 2187656 · Products: Clothing, art, toys, dried flowers, unique souvenirs · Facebook: 100% recommended (5 reviews)

Five key details, one pattern: the business information is scattered across directories with conflicting addresses, but the product range and phone number are consistent.

What is the meaning of art wear?

Definition of wearable art

• Art wear, often called wearable art, refers to clothing designed primarily as artistic expression rather than mass-produced fashion. Pieces are frequently one-of-a-kind and handmade.
• According to Evendo travel guide, Art Fun Wear stocks “specially designed quality items” that blur the line between fashion and fine art.
• New Zealand has a strong wearable art tradition, most famously celebrated by the World of WearableArt Awards in Nelson, which began in 1987.

Historical context of art wear

• The wearable art movement gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s as artists began using garments as canvases for political and personal statements.
• In New Zealand, the World of WearableArt (WOW) show elevated local wearable art to an international stage, drawing designers from around the globe.
• Shops like Art Fun Wear Invercargill continue this tradition by offering pieces that are both functional and expressive.

The implication: wearable art shops like Art Fun Wear make the movement accessible beyond gallery walls, turning everyday clothing into a personal statement.

What is New Zealand art?

Key characteristics of New Zealand art

• New Zealand art is deeply rooted in Māori and Pacific Islander heritage, alongside European settler traditions. Common themes include landscape, indigenous flora and fauna, and cultural storytelling.
• The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa national museum holds extensive collections showing how Māori carving, weaving, and painting influence contemporary works.
• Art Fun Wear’s product range reflects this blend: clothing and souvenirs often feature New Zealand motifs like ferns, birds, and native patterns.

Notable New Zealand artists

• Artists such as Rita Angus, Colin McCahon, and Ralph Hotere are internationally recognised. Contemporary Māori artists like Lisa Reihana bring indigenous perspectives to global audiences.
• Local craft stores like Art Fun Wear support emerging local artists by stocking handmade items, as noted in its Facebook description: “specially designed quality items including art, entertainment, and clothing products.”

The pattern: New Zealand art is not confined to galleries — it lives in small shops, on T‑shirts, and in the hands of souvenir hunters.

Is artwear comfortable to wear?

Materials used in artwear

• Comfort depends on materials. Many artwear pieces use natural fibres like cotton, linen, or merino wool, which breathe and move with the body.
• Art Fun Wear’s clothing line, according to its Facebook business page, includes a variety of garments meant for regular wear.
• Some pieces incorporate embellishments (beads, sequins, paint) that may affect flexibility or care requirements.

Practical considerations for wearing artwear

• If a piece is truly one-of-a-kind, owners may treat it more carefully — hand washing instead of machine washing, for example.
• The trade-off: you get a unique look that no one else has, but you may need to handle it with more care than a standard mass‑market shirt.
• For everyday artwear, Art Fun Wear’s selection likely balances creativity with wearability, though customer reviews on Near Place NZ location aggregator praise the shop’s variety and helpful staff.

The pattern: selecting artwear means weighing visual impact against everyday practicality — a balance Art Fun Wear addresses with its varied inventory.

What products does Art Fun Wear Invercargill offer?

Clothing and apparel

• Art Fun Wear sells specially designed clothing that doubles as wearable art. The Facebook business profile mentions a variety of garments, from tees to jackets.
• Many pieces feature New Zealand-themed prints, making them popular with tourists.

Toys and souvenirs

• The store stocks toys and entertainment items alongside its apparel. According to Evendo travel guide, these include “delightful toys” that appeal to children and collectors.
• Souvenirs range from small trinkets to larger decorative pieces, all with a local twist.

Dried flowers and craft items

• A unique category: Art Fun Wear sells exquisite dried flowers, as noted by Evendo travel guide. These are likely sourced from local growers and can be used for home decor or gifting.
• Craft items may include handmade cards, small art pieces, and other creative goods.

The pattern: Art Fun Wear curates a mix that appeals to both locals looking for something fresh and visitors wanting a tangible piece of Southland.

Where is Art Fun Wear Invercargill located and how to contact them?

Address and map directions

• The most frequently cited address is 12 Don Street, Invercargill City Centre, Southland 9810 (Finda NZ business directory and ServiceFinder NZ business directory).
• However, White Pages NZ phone directory and Evendo travel guide list 92 Spey Street, Invercargill 9810. The Facebook business page also shows 92 Spey Street.
• This discrepancy means visitors should phone ahead to confirm the correct location before visiting.

Phone number and email

• The consistent phone number across all directories is (03) 2187656 or +64 3 218 7656 (Finda NZ, ServiceFinder NZ, Near Place NZ).
• No email address or official website is listed publicly.

Opening hours and online shopping

• Opening hours are not consistently published. Evendo travel guide shows a daily schedule but does not list specific times. Near Place NZ location aggregator marks the business as open with no hours recorded.
• Online shopping: The Facebook page allows messaging for orders, but there is no dedicated e‑commerce site.

The pattern: scattered directory data makes the store harder to find physically, yet the phone number remains the single reliable anchor for potential customers.

What the business says about itself

“We are a retail store that sells a variety of specially designed quality items including art, entertainment, and clothing products.”

— Art Fun Wear Invercargill, Facebook page description

“Art Fun Wear in Invercargill is a vibrant clothing and craft store that offers unique souvenirs, delightful toys, and exquisite dried flowers.”

— Evendo travel guide description

Two descriptions, one consistent promise: a small shop with a big personality. Yet the data gap — no official website, no uniform address — means the store’s full story remains half‑told.

Final take: why Art Fun Wear matters for Invercargill shoppers

For anyone exploring Invercargill’s retail scene, Art Fun Wear offers a rare mix: wearable art, local crafts, and a personal touch that big chains can’t replicate. But the lack of consolidated online information — especially the address confusion — makes it harder for visitors to find. For tourists and locals alike, the choice is clear: call ahead and confirm the location, or risk wandering between Don Street and Spey Street.

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