About Us

Cherry Blossom is an online store, which also stocks several gift shops and boutiques in New Zealand and Australia.

‘Tradition, Inspiration and Creativity' - these three words sum up how we feel about the Japanese aesthetic and why we love doing what we do. We stock paper, fabric and gifts direct from Japan as well as locally designed and crafted items made from vintage kimono, obi, modern cottons and washi paper. Discovering artists who share our love of Japanese design is a rewarding and exciting aspect of this business.

The Inception of Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom made its way into the world in April 2005 as the creation of its original owners Emily Branthwaite and Katherine Cottier.

After four and a half years Katherine left Cherry Blossom in October 2009 to pursue new design and writing opportunities, while Emily continues to follow her life-long love of Japanese culture and textiles through the business.

Emily spent her final year of High School in Japan as an AFS exchange student. Her immersion in Japanese life and culture led to a love-affair with the country and language but university in New Zealand and an eight-year career in banking beckoned. However, when an offer of redundancy loomed, Emily returned to Japan to purchase vintage kimono, haori (jackets) and obi with plans to start a homewares collection.

It was at this point that Emily and Katherine met by chance at the Culverden Christmas Fete in November 2004 where Katherine was selling her washi jewellery. Emily approached the stall as a potential buyer and unknowingly left with the beginnings of a business partnership.

Many cups of tea and four months later, the two opened Cherry Blossom as a tiny shop on Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch. From there they built a loyal following and set to work expanding their range of fashion accessories and gifts made from vintage kimono silks.

In 2006 they moved Cherry Blossom from the suburbs to the burgeoning boutique shopping area of High Street and Poplar Lane. The much-loved Cherry Blossom store in Tuam Street closed its doors in March 2009 to free up time to pursue website and wholesale opportunities.

The business now has a fantastic following both online and through the many unique and beautiful gift stores around the country that stock Cherry Blossom products. Click here to find a local stockist.