Sunday Reset

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Number One Shoes does winter well...

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In the last week or so I have finally had to admit that winter has arrived. The time has come for my life to become all-winter-everything: soup is on the menu for dinner this week, winter garments are being unpacked and winter linens are making getting out of bed early verrrry hard.. .



I recently met up with the Number One Shoes team to have a chat about winter '13 trends and the direction they are taking this season. As highlighted with a bit of a giggle in the TVC they launched last night (above) the NOS winter range is competing with international trends at lower price points. 

One particular style that caught my eye from the range was the Leanne boot in black. Sitting at just $49.99 (instore now) this boot is on my winter footwear list. It is a Chelsea boot with a Cuban heel and reminds me of a pair of boots my Momma had in the early 90s. Nostelgia! The thing I love about Chelsea boots is that the elastic panel makes them far more comfortable than stiff lace up/buckle up boots and makes for easy airport security checks without resorting to flats (hello, have you seen my height?). 

Descended from Victorian riding boots this style has seen several decades add their take to it from the sixties mods (hey Beatles) to the Star Wars Empire (Darth Vader's Stormtroopers wore custom white Chelsea boots) and Christopher Kane's fluro interpretation. I'm looking forward to running around this winter in the Number One Shoes take on this classic! 

I have a pair of these delicious boots to give away. Simply flick me an email, Tweet or Facebook message and let me know what winter adventures you have been up to recently and I'll draw the winner next Friday (16th May). Remember to include your shoe size! 

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Kowtow: The Silent Space

This week I got to check out the Kowtow Spring Summer range when the lovely team were flying through Auckland for a whirlwind press day on Monday. 

There is something very special about this Kiwi label that makes my heart feel like it might just explode into a thousand fair trade and organically certified wee pieces. Kowtow's commitment to ethical business and production practices sit (pun alert) seamlessly  alongside their "minimalist with a refined edge" design aesthetic. 

 

The SS '14 range entitled "The Silent Space" draws inspiration from Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Kowtow designer Gosia Piatek lit up when I asked her more about the relationship between translating Ando's conversations of minimalism and beauty in constructed spaces to clothing. Gosia sums up our chat well in her press notes:

‘Tadao Ando's themes resonate strongly within me. His minimalist design aesthetic and creating spaces purely for a calming affect has a non-commercial sense which I admire. Ando's themes of meditation, peacefulness and Zen is something I strive for in my day-to-day life. Working on the collection for one year with Tadao as our muse resonated strongly throughout the entire workroom, and hopefully bought us some calm to the madness of the fashion world.’

I am on the countdown to August when the range drops in stores around New Zealand, Australia, Sweeden, Mexico and online.

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Sunday Reset

Be kind to each other this week!

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Little Things by MYDEERFOX at Ruby

Ever since I saw a few snaps of the MYDEERFOX Winter 2013 range on instagram from Ruby's Wellington Fashion Week event last month I have been patiently waiting for the collection to drop in store. This is the week!

Constructed by way of folding, the range of wallets and pouches is made from vegetable tanned leather (read no nasty chemicals) and makes me feel all sorts of happiness. How delicious is the lavender?

The Winter '13 range entitled "Little Things" is available NOW exclusively at Ruby!








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❥ Equal ❥

From the moment Labour MP Lousia Wall's Marriage Equality Amendment Bill was pulled from the ballot box last year until it was adopted last night, I had wondered how I would feel the moment the result was announced. Knowing that queer and trans* people here in New Zealand can get married with the same rights and responsibilities as an opposite sex attracted couple, I wondered if I would burst into tears? Jump up and down? Speak at a million miles a minute with such excitement everyone giggled? All of these things generally happen when I hear extraordinary news! But I didn't expect to feel this overwhelming quiet sense of accomplishment. No screaming from the rooftops but rather a deep sense of relief. 

While public discussion took place on the bill I cautiously reminded those around me that this bill is one of many hurdles still left ahead in the battle for equality, safety and prosperity of our queer and trans* communities. There is much work ahead. But with that on my shoulders I sit quietly today, with a new lilac hair doo to mark the occasion, and a renewed sense of hope. Maybe we will make it in the end after all? 

I don't know if I will ever get married but I'm pretty stoked that those in New Zealand who want to can. I'm stoked that when it comes to marriage in New Zealand that gender isn't the difference between "can" and "can't". 

Check out  a few of the speeches from last night that will stick with me for a very long time:

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p.s.  I was lucky enough to get my first marriage proposal last night! 

Go follow my twitter friend @FemmeAndFierce!

Dear @aychmcardle, let's get married! Love Victoria x
— Victoria Collerton (@femmeandfierce) April 17, 2013

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Because we all need more interpretive dance in our lives..

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