Loius Vuitton dans le bus

Luxury goods take the greener transport option in Aucklands CBD this evening :-)

Continue...

Birds of a Feather

Delicious "Birds of a Feather" spread featuring MAC, Bobbie Brown and Napoleon Perdis in the Summer edition of Pulp magazine.

Continue...

Make the most of now

Vodafone - Queen St, Auckland City.

I'm becoming more and more aware of Vodafones branding both in New Zealand and world wide - clean, slick and of the moment. Love the merchandising of their stores with this sign sitting over Queen St in Aucklands CBD.

In this snap I managed to catch the lanterns up for Chinese New Year and a street shot that paints the city clean and tidy. Maybe AK City could hire me as their publicist..?!

Continue...

Laundered City

This brings me great joy to see these laundered stamps around the city *:-)

Speaking of joy, love this guy bringing smiles to the city on his delicious mode of transportation.. wonder how much it is to hitch a ride? Defo kicks-but on the city circut free bus - has anyone jumped on it lately? So its awesome and electric and all BUT I'm sure its actually quicker to walk.

Continue...

Celine - OH MY GOSH!

Ohmygosh! Can anyone tell me about this label?
Found this brown 100% Cotton "Celine"shirt in EMPORIO "U" Ladies Designer Recycle at 9 High St, Auckland. Ummmm Celine stand aside... Celine Rita is where its at!

Continue...

WORLD on Sale

The world is on sale!

Well, WORLD and the planet - great news for the fashionable traveller as specials skyrocket and everyone from WORLD to Kate, Karen and Gubb are posing huge sale signs. Deliciousness.

Be sure to check out Gubb & Mackie's sale at their Customs St store - soon moving to High st ex Little Brother.

Hung out in WORLD Man today on hight street - and want to wish our Mr World Matthew Masongsong a huge happy birthday on what has been a good 48hours of birthday wishes from all your friends abroad *:-)

Continue...

Rockstars

P09 continued..

I think these guys are rockstars.

Well, they also had all access passes to the delux stage!

A friend was telling me how, in the Bledisloe (the secret building where crew and artists get their meals), that a group of four guys "with the hair and everything" were queing up for tea and saying:

"u go first.."

"..nah u go first.." ect.

Love it, Christian Rockers - "let me show you more grace and love!" ha!

Continue...

t.b.a

Out of clutter,
find simplicity.
- Albert Einstein



t.b.a jeans n tees - SO DELICIOUS!
I ADORE this tvc add!
If your wondering the backing track is: Gassenhauer nach Hans Neusiedl by Carl Orff.

Continue...

Direction

Continue...

Dave Dobbyn @ P09

Awesome to be at Dave Dobbyns gig at Mainstage last night - to hear the main act of the night get up and say "Hey, how are ya?" in a thick Kiwi accent was mega bone tingling!

Packed mainstage was awesome for some mellow tunes, including loyal (freakin made me proud to be a Kiwi) but after "bring him back" and "encore encore" he came back on stage and sang what we had been waiting for - Welcome home and Slice of Heaven.

Cant describe how cool it was to be dancing with a kadrillion peeps singing such legend kiwi tunes. Pretty magical *:-)

Just trying to upload the crowd dancing to Slice of Heaven. Love how Dave says "Best Lyric I ever wrote" and walks off stage while we are grooving like nothing else!

Continue...

Parachute 09

Peace, Love, Justice and Music.

Sounds like my cuppa tea!

28,000 young people are rocking it in Hamilton this weekend at Parachute music festival. Festival is in its 19th year and I got to check it out last night as an evening guest. I'm a huge fan of the Chute, it was my first time not as a camper in 5years!

Drug + Alcohol free, the giant music hangout is the largest Christian music festival outside the US and is a community of more than just music. Speakers take the morning slots with messages on
faith and social justice while the villiage boasts everything from paintball to kai.

There are so many legend things about festival that are hard to do justice to in words. Here are a few things I love about the weekend:

* Mega sunshine or turential down poors (like that one year at Dave Dobyn..)

* Walking from one side of festival to another and bumping into a kadrillion people you know.

* Making dates to hang out with the kadrillion people you bump into.

* Moshing at mainstage.

* Sitting in a place of surreal peace at accousitc sets.

* Learning new things and being challenged to make positive change in your life.

* Sunburn, blisters and canned food.

* The crazy antics you see and/or participate in - like massive groups of people following one person, 3am leapfrog and group hugs with strangers.. sounds like a right hippy fest!

If your at festival and reading this on your iPhone - PLEASE tel me about Free For All at the debut this arvo.. Wish I had been there!

Continue...

Ksubi

Continue...

Tanked Chocolate

Mmmm Tank Juice or Chocolate Lounge?

Tank Juice wins every time!

Delicious goodness from mother Earth *:-)

Continue...

Celine Rita

YUS I got to catch up with Celine and chat a bit about the launch of Celine Rita and the where too in 09. She is so delicious!



Celine, wow, with less than a month till graduation Celine Rita is already up and dressing the world! So tell us a bit about this new adventure?

Celine Rita is proudly a NZ label. Garments are clean, quirky, feminine and sophisticated. I like the wearer to put on the outfit and smile.

I have a love of beautiful fabrics, which Celine Rita garments are made from, and always have strong attention to detail.

Launching Celine Rita straight after finishing uni wasnt entirely planned,but was something I wanted to do in the near future. Last summer holidays I did a small range of dresses, had a fashion show at home and sold them to friends and family. So basically I wanted to do the same thing- only bigger and better, and not just dresses.

After such a full on year at uni I was finding it hard that I had so much spare time, so I launched straight back into it. I decided there was no point in doing things by halves, so did a beautiful photoshoot and set about having another show at home. I couldnt believe the interest it got!

I had someone email me wanting to do a website for Celine Rita which is amazing. Once I put the range on Facebook I got another lot of orders come through and it has continued on- every day I keep getting more and more orders- it is now my full time job!
Where too for Celine Rita in 09?
Celine Rita in 2009 will bring out an AW range, which is exciting for me when I start thinking about new ideas. I have had interest from a shop in LA who saw my website and are wanting to stock some of the summer range. So hopefully that all works out, and I aim to get some more stockists within NZ and Australia.

Must have component in your Summer wardrobe?


An absolute must have from Celine Rita SS '09 is the Danelle Paperbag shorts. Sooo comfy and look so good.


Best piece of advice for a young fashionista starting study?

To a young fashionista starting study my first piece of advice is to make sure you really love fashion and everything that comes with it. It takes over your life, you live and breathe it. And look forward to meeting some amazing friends you will have for the rest of your life!

Most outrageous dare to give someone?

Outrageous dare is... to dare someone to streak at the 2011 rugby world cup final in NZ with www.celinerita.com printed on their back!!

Continue...

Prada Rockstar

Such a Rock Star - My new Ray Ban sunglasses.

Also, now Im going to sound like "one of those girls" described in the Viva article - My awesome Mt Eden rd Hospice shop tee *:-)

One day though, when I'm a real rockstar I'll wear these Prada Sunglasses:

Delicious.

Continue...

Isakelle

Can some one tell me what happened to Isakelle on Vulcan Lane?

Was it because I didn't buy the $500 violet pleated silk dress?

I feel bad.

Continue...

Posh N Becks

Milan. Delicious.

Continue...

Blogosphere Fame

Wow, so a super day for the blogosphere in Kiwiland - Isaaclikes and Bryanboy both got space in today's Viva (NZ Herald)
And I open up the summer edition of PULP mag to find Isaac again!

My friend Sarah made an interesting observation about the Viva spread - tis an odd experience to read media writing about media. Freakin great though *:-) YUS bloggers unite! x

Continue...

Gobama

Gobama rama!

Wiki tells us that President Obama's name is the anglasized version of Baraka which means blessing in Swahili.

Where will 09 take us?

President, hand on bible, blessing.

I think we are holding our breath.

Continue...

Dreaming

Continue...

Give it to me RAW

Dhrumil, from giveittomeraw.com took some time out to share with us a bit about the RAW lifestyle and how it has impacted his life
So how do you explain what RAW is to new people you meet? (especially if your sharing a meal with them at the time!)

I don't have a standard sales pitch, but if they are totally new to eating healthy then it would go something like this....

"Our food has changed more in the last 50 years than it has in the last 5,000 years. Most of what we eat in our modern society has less to do with health and more to do with shelf life. I'm not here to convince you what to eat, rather I'm here saying if you want to feel, look and live better, there is another way."

If they knew about healthy eating sort of but wanted to know raw, I'd say:

"Raw Food is a lifestyle that focuses on including as much live fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as possible. It's not about being 100% or perfect. It's about having fun with what we eat and living holistically"

The number one question; what about protein?

Haha, I refer them to Tim VanOrden or answer "Same place a gorilla or elephant does"

How has the RAW way of eating impacted your lifestyle as a whole?

It's not so much that raw food has impacted my life, but rather the absence of eating crap. When you stop eating crap you have energy, you have freedom and you have health.

Raw Food does make it tougher to suppress your true emotions with food. Even if you're not overweight you probably use food to either heighten or suppress certain emotions. When you stop doing this with food all of sudden you become more in touch with how you truly feel.

Eating real food also connects you to the planet.

Biggest dream for the year ahead?

Build my new project Spiritual Player, into a thriving community and place for people to learn about all things spiritual.

Dhrumil can't live without.....?

Without stillness, kale and soulful people.

Continue...

Circa 1995

Here is a better scan of the famous tuatara pic from the Dominion Post - circa 1995.

My brother is wearing this awesome sweater my aunt knitted him - the picture doesn't do it justice, it had these little yellow bobblybits sewn all over it. YUS to the cream linen dress I'm wearing, feel all hippy like actually. And the Tutatara - I've been trying to findout if he has a name...

The tuatara feels a little bit like sandpaper mixed with old persons skin (or like eczema hands *coughs*) but because its alive (hopefully) its the strangest feeling.

I quote wikipedia here - The Tutara is the is actually part of a distinct lineage, order Sphenodontia. The two species of tuatara are the only surviving members of its order, which flourished around 200 million years ago.

Good magazine have an interesting article explaining how climate change affects the tuatara's ability to reproduce. Many reptiles sex is determined by the temperature they are incubated at. Higher temperatures = More males = Less reproduction = Good bye tuatara. Global warming sucks.

Theres something real cool about the Tutara. Knowing its so old and native to Aotearoa I feel a connection with this endangered lizard. Be sure to check out the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and read up about Victoria University's work with the tutara.

Continue...

Addiction

Its official, Im addicted to fashionbehindthescenes.
Amanda's travel adventures are super exciting and you actually feel like you are there - her vivid story telling abilities are a talent indeed!
*:-)

Continue...

Eight by Table Eight

Delicious Summer shirt from Eight by Table Eight. The neck is yummy beyond description, super modest and totaly flattering!

I found a similar shirt at an H+M near Harrods last Christmas - Sometimes I do love how our fashion cycle is so different down here in Kiwi-land. I'm loving the Eight range *:-)

Continue...

Frisbee Fear n Frisbee Fun

One of the most terifying experiences.

Ever.

Frisbee.. I know... but wow.. SCARY.

Check out a history of the frisbee here.

Continue...

Avec amour

I LOVE international mail!

*:-)

Continue...

The man behind BUS GIRL

Hey bus boy, woncha ask me my name?

I'm not busy friday wanna go to the game?

I got to catch up with singer/songwriter/music maker/preacher man/dad Al Ronberg for a bit of a glimpse at 08 and the dreams for 09.

AL! wow so, tell us about 2008? First there was a rather famous bus jacking photo?

There was indeed - 2008 was a year of lots of stuff going on and to be honest, I felt a bit swept away by it all. Photographically it was huge - with the bus-hijack shot making front page of the Herald and later in the year I made top 30 of the Auckland Photo Day competition.

To top that, I managed to win the Auckland leg of a large international competition and scored a book that I sold on Trademe! :) On top of that, I have been travelling the country training people to work with Young People and talking to people about ICONZ, the organisation I work with. I have gotten to preach, play and do all sorts of awesome things around the country! :)

But above everything, having a fantastic family around me has been the biggest and most enjoyable thing!

Where does Al Ronberg the musician fit into 09?

Well... I have just formed a fantastic Band with some amazing friends and musicians and we are hoping to sort out a few gigs for the new year - going primarily into churches and running a service to give the music teams a break.

The coolest thing about the band is that each of the people in it have tons of stuff on in their lives, so the band isn't the be all and end all of our existence... our first Gig is coming up on the 18th of Jan at CessionCommunity in Howick. :)Any dreams/goals for the year ahead?

This year I hope to have gained a lot of insight into the world immediately around me. Looking for opportunities to be a part of the community I live in, and also to find ways to encourage people to be more active in the community. I am speaking at an awesome Easter Camp in Feilding this year, so look forward to the chance to push myself in that creative outlet.

Essential item in your wardrobe this summer?

WARNING: Lame answer will follow! - Just my Jandals and Boardies really - as I write this I am in Nelson, and the Weather is GORGEOUS... so much more is being overdressed! :)

Be sure to check out Al's photo blog and for all things Al Ronberg check out www.alronberg.com (and become a fan of his tunes on facebook!)

Continue...

Nudie Nudie Nudie

YUS the day finally came (AFTER 6MONTHS!) for me to give my Nudie Jeans their first wash :-)

LOVE dry denim, but I can't explain how amazing it was to wear CLEAN jeans!

They have washed up DELISH. Totaly naturally aged.

Continue...

aych n Blue Lady

aych was recently interviewd for the latest edition of Blue Lady published by Future Mags.

Check out the full interview:

How are you involved in creativity?

I think, I dream, I design clothes, I paint things, I make things. I'm alive!

Your new fashion collection? Tell us about it...

The ethos of my Winter 09 collection (under my label aych) is a range of street wear that is uncluttered, has immaculate attention to detail and made in a way that promotes a sustainable lifestyle.

Tees are made from organic cotton that are fair trade certified (thanks Micah!) and graphics communicate the way our wasteful attitudes are destroying our most valuable resource – planet earth.

I have taken this design aesthetic through to my jeans – no branding or unnecessary details, focusing on the jeans being the canvas for your life. You take this range and live your life in it.

How long did it take to come up with the the ideas and how?-where would you like to go with it?

As a teenager I attended BYM Easter Camps and hearing the story behind Freeset was really inspiring. I think hearing stories of the fashion industry making a positive impact on these women's lives, radically changed my thinking on how we can invest our talents. At this point I knew I wanted to use fashion to impact the world.

Last year I spent a semester at Ryerson University in Toronto – it's a wild crazy big city but in the midst of the traffic, bright lights and squirrels I was blown away by the "green focus" of the city. Even at McD's you have to sort your trash into waste/paper/bottles.

So coming back to create my Winter 09 collection I wanted to use Fashion as a canvas to
(a) reach masses of people and
(b) communicate the massive impact our purchases can make.

This fashion thing is life long, it gets in your blood and becomes who you are. I'd love for everyone to become sick of crap stuff and seek good quality products that are designed with real value. And (hopefully) that'd be my stuff! So its either fashion or becoming an ambassador for the UN… either or

What are your dreams? (the ones mum and dad don't know about)

To marry a Canadian Emo *:-)

Can anyone be creative or learn to be?

I think creativity is something that is part of who we are as humans – they way you make your toast to the logic behind your playlist

You have 15 seconds of fame under the spotlight Hannah, what would you say?

Be real. Do life. Care about what you buy. Wear aych jeans. (*was that a subtle enough plug? You can also check out my fan page on facebook and my blog on http://www.aych.blogspot.com/)

After winning an award at the (Enter big fashion awards), who are you going to be thanking?

The staff at "Craven A" for the best (and only good) hot chocolate, M&M's (from whom I'm hoping to get a life time sponsorship) and Geofs Emorium.

But in all seriousness, when your going through a crazy period of design and production it's your creative mentors who challenge your design decisions and the friends who cook you a meal or take you out for a coffee break that you feel forever indebted to. So thanks!

Your stranded on an island with no hope of rescue and have one text message to send to a loved one, what would you say?

Micah 6:8

The song you sing in the shower?

I'm madly in love with the soundtrack for "Across the Universe" – especially "I've just seen a face", "Dear Prudence" and "All you need is Love". Ahh go Beatles

What is the ultimate interview question?

"So, (insert famous persons name here), Who are you?"

Someone's quote you have remembered?

Late night at the Golden Griddle diner in Toronto our friend Nick Graham busted out this beauty: "You know what I think, I think that tattoos and piercings are the height of vanity"

Now Hannah leave us with your own quote?

Get up, Get dressed, Make change.

For more info on Blue Lady or other Future Mag publications contact Fraser Macedo: futuremags@gmail.com or see
http://www.redbullreellife.co.nz/screening-room/fraser-macedo-addictive-whiff-of-nz-culture/

Continue...

Ecostore n Eczema

Ecostore by all research seems to be a miricle cure for eczema... well maybe not a cure buuut significantly less iritants in their products than chemical filled cleaners.

I'm going to give them a go - and I assure you I'm a tough critic of anything that promises to be good on the skin. I have been using Ecostore handwash - Orange and Patchouli - for a month or so and it smells devine! And yes nice on the skin.. but Im giong to try and get rid of ALL chemical cleaners around me converting 100% to Ecostore for balanced results. Laundry powder, dishwashing liquid, cream cleanser and handwash are all Ecostore now *:-)

Check back for results!

Continue...

Torontoist

Ok, it has to be said, the economic tide isn't swinging in favour of recent graduates.
Buuut with tough times come exciting ways (for the optimist!) to create their own adventures.
A blog I have been reading a bit recently is the torontooist.blogspot.com.
Check out this article www.torontoist.com/2009/01/dazed_and_confused.php
(having trouble with links... any advice?!)

Continue...

iWant

Can I **with a shudder** say "iWant"?

The new Macbook 13 is delish in appearances - cast from a single block of aluminum and green as can be inside and out. In fact it has a gold rating from the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). Flash. Just like the new generation Macbooks - Macbook, Macbook Air, and Macbook Pro. Pretty green n cool!

I don't own any apple products *shock* (lack of funds not desire) but I am a huge fan of how consistent Apple marketing is... cheesy I know... but very smart and creates the "iWant" within even the greenest consumer.

Delish!

Continue...

Tuatara's and the GOOD life

My favourite read - good magazine, NEVER fails to deliver.

Great reads this issue on everything from Keisha Castle-Hughes eco lifestyle, some of the most endangered New Zealanders and a good aray of advice and solutions to ease the eco-worrier (!) in you for a busy and expensive time of year.

Keisha is looking delish on the cover of good this summer, but my brother and I kinda did it first...

Enjoy!

Continue...

Amy n Karl n the Olsens

How have I not seen this photo before?!

Paris Fashion Week - Fall 08

Continue...

JES

Jes Chang, designer for JES popped into aych headquarters soon before the clock struck 12 on old years eve.

She is wearing...

Dress from dotti, gloves stolen from her brother, leggings from farmers, bag from an overseas boutique, boots from overland and headband made by Jes herself.

Best memory from 08?

Late night sewing with m.i.a (even though the sewing part was not fun at all)

Dream/goal for the year?

To beat this economic crisis and find a sweet as job!

Continue...

Archimedes

archie n aych! *:-)

Continue...

Bliadhna mhath ur!

Happy 2009!

Bestest wishes for this new year!

It's going to be a great year - 2009 brings many exciting opportunities for aych and our blog. Very excited to be doing life with you and the wider fashion land *:-)

So go put those resolutions into action!

Continue...