Our story · since 1998
It started with three black tops
And a conviction that the foundations of a wardrobe deserve the best fabrics, not the cheapest.
Paula Ryan, Founder
The Founder
Paula Ryan
Long before establishing her eponymous clothing label, Paula Ryan was a household name shaping New Zealand's fashion landscape - as founder of Fashion Quarterly magazine and, for a decade, proprietor of Simply You. Her career cultivated a discerning eye for the enduring style.
The label was born of conviction.
The wardrobe essentials upon which women rely — the impeccably cut wardrobe underpinnings worn season after season — were being produced cheaply and treated as expendable. Paula believed these foundational pieces warranted the highest standard of design and fabrication.
The inaugural collection comprised of three black merino tops: a polo neck, a crew neck, and a scoop neck. Each remains in production today. From that singular beginning, Paula Ryan has evolved into a full seasonal collection represented by more than 120 retailers across Australia and New Zealand.
The magic is in the fabric.
Creative Director
Bridget Hope
Bridget Hope is Paula Ryan's daughter and the steward of a brand her mother built over decades. After 25 years in publishing — including her role as Publishing Director of Harper's BAZAAR in Singapore and Malaysia — she returned to Christchurch to carry the Paula Ryan legacy forward. For Bridget, leading the label is both a personal commitment and a privilege: honouring the craftsmanship, quality, and vision that Paula established, while dressing a new generation of women with the same intention. Alongside Paula Ryan, Bridget also runs two sister businesses — Magpie Style and Magpie Home — each sharing the same commitment to considered, beautiful living.
the foundation
1998
Founded
By style leader Paula Ryan
3
Original merino tops
Still in production today
4
BASE FABRICS
All designed with stretch
10+
Years of wear
Our commitment to you
The original three
Still in production, 25+ years later
The collection began with these black merino tops. Every one of them is still in make today.
1998: THE FIRST STYLE
The polo neck
A clean, high neck designed to wear under tailored jackets and shirts. Now available in Slim and Easy Fits. First created in Slim Fit only.
TODAY'S BEST SELLER
The crew neck
For women who want a high-neck for warmth without the height of a polo neck.
DESIGNED TO LAYER
The scoop neck
A flattering round scoop neck top with long sleeves, especially suited to fuller busts.
The best quality fabrics available
MATERIAL INTEGRITY
Why we choose the fabric first
Every Paula Ryan collection begins with the fabric — not the sketch. We source the highest-grade textiles available in their category from around the world, selecting each for its performance credentials: pill-free, colourfast, and primarily with stretch for enduring comfort. Every fabric is rigorously wear-tested before we commit to a collection.
This standard means a Paula Ryan piece is an investment, not a compromise. With reasonable care, each garment is engineered to remain in your wardrobe for a decade or more.
Not the cheapest. The longest lasting.
quality that lasts
The Magic is in the Fabric
Explore Our Fabrics
WINTER HERO
PREMIUM MERINO
Naturally temperature-regulating and supremely soft, our premium merino keeps you comfortable from the first cool morning through to a warm afternoon.
TRANS SEASONAL
ECO VERO LUXURY JERSEY
Crafted from certified sustainable fibres, our EcoVero jersey drapes beautifully and moves with you — a considered choice for the conscious wardrobe.
A DREAM FOR TRAVEL
ITALIAN MICROJERSEY
Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and impeccably smooth, our Italian Microjersey is the ultimate travel companion — arriving as polished as when you packed it.
Fast, reliable shipping
How we hold our prices
Now exclusively online
Paula Ryan is now almost entirely online. We ship nationwide throughout New Zealand to Australia and around the world, direct to the women who wear the brand.
For Australia and international orders we use DHL shipping to ensure fast reliable delivery every time.
We have stepped away from wholesale on purpose. Selling directly lets us hold our pricing for our customers. As a result, we have not raised our prices in over ten years, and keep manufacturing in high quality fabric, without compromise.
Have a Question?
Contact us at: service@paularyan.com
P: +64 27 403 3495
The most sustainable garments are the ones that last.
Paula Ryan flagship store, Merivale, Christchurch
Visit us IN CHRISTCHURCH
Our flagship store in Merivale
You will also find Paula Ryan in person at our flagship store in Merivale, Christchurch. Come in to see and feel the fabrics for yourself and be fitted by our team.
OPEN 7 DAYS
Shop 6, 121 Papanui Road, Merivale
Christchurch, New Zealand
Ph: +64 21 243 8457
For online customer service please phone:
P: +64 27 403 3495
E: service@magpiestyle.co.nz
Quality that pays for itself through wear
BUILT FOR LONGEVITY
Made to last
Every Paula Ryan piece is designed to become a wardrobe staple you'll reach for again and again.
When you invest in quality that lasts, the cost per wear drops dramatically.
A versatile piece worn hundreds of times over years delivers exceptional value—far more than a trend-driven purchase worn once or twice.
That's the Paula Ryan philosophy: timeless design, superior construction, and pieces that earn their place in your closet through years of reliable wear.
