The Department Store

The NEW Department Store in Takapuna is a must see !!! read more here.

Some snazzy sites that we like.. On the bay....

Searching Ebay  can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Below are the only sites you need to know. Check these sites regularly
as the best items get snapped up quickly!

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/indie-cult-vintage__W0QQ_armrsZ1

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/MakiMaki-Vintage__W0QQ_armrsZ1

http://shop.ebay.com/shopanoukvintage/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

http://shop.ebay.com/pamh23/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

xxxx

Sugar Baby Suntanned Sweeties – Bronze Radiance Cream

I had a fashion faux pas last week when I totally forgot to fake tan my winter legs before putting on a short dress to wear to the VNZMAs..
I was lucky enough to be introduced to Sugar Baby and having not fake tanned turned out to be no problem at all.
This body cream bronzer is fantastic and I’m truly a convert. You can layer it up to be really dark and it dries so there’s no smudging.
It also has a slight shimmer to it (and not in a whorey shorey way)
It’s $25 a bottle and available at the pharmacy. The rest of the Sugar Baby potions are great too.

Kelly Thompson

Kelly Thompson is one to watch. You can spot her unique designs a mile off, with her tell-tale style of flawlessly meshing fashion with art and photography.
If you'd like to invest - and it is totally worth it - touch base online. You can also sign up on her mailing list.
 http://www.kellythompson.co.nz/main.html
More recently her work has appeared on the cover of Viva - and she whipped up the design and photography for NZ Opera's latest campaign for Eugene Onegin. A total star. We love her xx

First up - Cybele ANFW

 Cybele always seems to be first up at fashion week. poor bugger. imagine that! It is like she is still the baby of the group therefore is shoved to the front. so this morning hundreds queued, rocked back and forth in their ridiculously high heels and waited patiently to be seated for Virtue 2010. 

 

When I attended last year I was left wanting more from Cybele's 2009 winter range. There was a strange overlap from previous collections...and it felt as though she hadn't moved her designs along enough. 

 

This year Designer Cybele Wiren was inspired by the Victorian period, flowers and insects. Not only are these influences obvious, they are also extremely beautiful. I want! I want! I want!

 

Incredibly structured pieces channelling moth wings appealed most. Long dramatic dressing-gown-esque garments were the cherry on the top of wispy, floaty tops and skirts.

 

Gorgeous fitted strapless, shoe-string and one shouldered dresses stole the show.

 

As did wonderful structured mini-skirts - many individual petals sewn together to create masterful blooms.

 

Also loved the leggings. With almond shaped holes running down the backs of the legs like a string of lollies.

 

Peaches, whites, midnight blues and blacks lit up the catwalk...as did the odd hit of thick army green wool in the form of scarves and a maxi mini dress.

 

don't worry - Cybele hasn't lost what's made her unique. her graphic prints remain, taking the form of lily's this time. she once again revels in glorious silk. but to be frank....us average Joes would struggle pulling off some looks as even the rake thin models looked plump.

 

This being Cybele's 15th collection and sixth shown at fashion week...I think we can safely say this is one of her best. Her style and creativity has come of age. She is definitely one of the big kids now. 

Oh what to wear to the fashion event of the year

Oh what to wear to the fashion event of the year? Well is appears most picked sparkly, dangly and glitzy for the Moet & Chandon Be Fabulous party - the pre-curser to the official launch party at Air NZ Fashion Week. I had actually wondered if I had taken a wrong turn, ending up at a Mama Mia cast party....but no....the bad up-do's, ugly faux leather bombers and trashy tarts sucking up to a handful of All Blacks is unfortunately part of Auckland's tragic reality. My plus one even remarked that she wouldn't even consider swapping outfits with anyone there - as we were clearly the best dressed...apart from some of the boys.

However....the lovely bubbles flowed, the live tv cross went without a hitch and even the horrific gossip columnist appeared to be enjoying herself.

Trelise, Neville and Liz and even the gorgeous Adrian Hailwood all made an appearance. Was definitely worth rocking up to....even if it was just to remark on what some had chosen to wear to the fashion event of the year!

As the lounge slowly emptied it was time to move on to the official launch event.

A giant afterball is the most appropriate description. A twelve year old stopped me at the door, demanding to see my invite....which of course I didn't have. "Did I RSVP?". Well of course I didn't. I flashed my important delegate card. Nothing. It was with blatant awkwardness (her's not mine), height and age that I managed to squeeze pass the child into the heaving mass of....well....children.

The uber-cool Lonely Hearts and Stolen Girlfriends demeanour has transcended cool and found it's place in the mainstream world. Quite sad really.

What was once cool is now not. Pushing past 50 million Geldof girl wannabes is hardly enjoyable.

The aforementioned designers are going to have to evolve faster than Madonna to avoid being swallowed up by the world of uninspired sameness.

How did those kids get in there anyway? Perhaps I was stopped at the door because there were age restrictions in place. Old age restrictions.

It was nice to see Twenty-Seven Names and Stolen Girlfriends taking out the Air NZ innovation Awards. Lucrative package for struggling designers.

With a drunk plus one in tow, it was time to move on.

I am hoping the rest of Fashion Week will leave a more positive impression...or am I just getting old?

xoxo

The very much anticipated third season of Gossip Girl has finally begun, and how hot do these kids look? I was never Dan's biggest fan, always much more inclined towards the less conventional but far more interesting Chuck Bass, but I've gotta say spray tan Dan has stepped up to the plate this season. In fact, summer in the Hamptons (aka Sunset tan and a few blonde highlights) has done them all the world of good. Apart from Little J that is, this whole rockstar thing really feels a little forced, I'm looking forward to the day they decide to transform her into Jenny 3.0.

Whilst I am feeling some satisfying 'perfect poreless skin and American girl hair' envy, I feel like S3E1 flat lined on the story front. Last season kicked off at the same locale, but was packed with witty one liners ('Chuck Bass-tard' still rings in my ears) and illicit affairs, this summer in the Hamptons feels a little lack lustre in comparison. Serena is sulky and sad, I find it even more difficult to believe Chuck and Blair are supposed to be 18 years old, and Rufus is more irritating than ever.

I have this terrible feeling GG peaked in season one, tried to revive itself in season two with that weird Lily off-shoot, and will flail through season three clutching at the Hillary Duff straw, hopefully I am wrong. Oh well at least they are pretty...

My online shopping secret ....

This is my online shopping secret...Rubymoon! 

Rubymoon hand selects Vintage pieces from the 50's,60's,70's and even the 80's . And  posts one off items online that you can purchase instantly with the buy now option. I have now purchased 5 items off Rubymoon and like the fact that no one in the small streets of Auckland will have the same item as me!

Go and have a look for yourselves...

BATISTE

If you haven't meet Batiste your life is about to change.
Batiste's not just spray in dry shampoo, it is the most amazing beauty secret I have ever known.
It is ideal for days when you can't be bothered washing your hair or when you do wash and then need a refresh before a night out and It's also great for dulling regrowth!

Batiste is stocked in most pharmacys, for about $16
I recommend the pink can, it smells like flowers

le FASHION

http://lefashionimage.blogspot.com/

Le Smoking

http://lesmokingimage.blogspot.com/?zx=f9de11eedb9e7bef

The first website of the day.....

http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/fashion