Maaike Summer 11/12

Image: Maaike Summer 11/12 launch

Kiwi duo Maaike hosted their Summer 11/12 launch on Tuesday night this week with a video presentation and gallery installation at the gallery space of Jane Sanders ART Agent.

Check out the range below:

Maaike Summer from Jeremy Toth on Vimeo.

How fierce is the energy in this multimedia experience? I am a MASSIVE fan of alternates to runway shows and I feel this exhibition hit the nail on the head in terms of balance of mood projection, textile experience and viewing of garment detailing.

Image: Maaike Summer 11/12 launch 

The delicate knit on the sleeveless maxi (pictured above right) is dip dyed at the hem cuff leaving the dye to bleed into the bottom of the dress creating a sense of refined deconstruction. Pure summer deliciousness.

Image: Maaike Summer 11/12 launch 

I love the geometric shapes that intersect throughout the video and still prints. It all combines to create such clean drama. I hope more New Zealand designers embrace this trend towards presentations over runway shows! I feel it is a great way to really connect with the energy of a collection. SUCH fun!

Image: Janet et moi taken by the babin Sacha of Coup de Main

Nom Nom Nom. 

XX

p.s. Become a fan of Maaike on Facebook HERE!

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Sometimes you NEED to believe in Tinkerbell

Image: Awkward Anderton

Go make someone happy and sprinkle glitter in their life!

XX

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Werq it like them models!

Are you a super M.A.C fan and based in Auckland over the next two days? 

There is an amazing opportunity at Smith and Caugheys Queen St to see runway looks from NZFW '11 brought to life and to have a chat with M.A.C artist about runway trends. These artists be super clever!

BOOK NOW!!!

XXX

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An inspiring morning at the Glassons CURE SHOP

Image: Check out the Cure Shop range online // Glassons

Do you know what I learned this morning? Every three hours a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Heartbreaking.  

Image: Breakfast! Thanks Glassons! 

Glassons has been leading the charge towards a cure with their fundraising partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Trust and New Zealand fashion designers for the last eight years. What began with a collaboration between Glassons and Karen Walker in 2004 has turned into an annual campaign that has raised over 3.5 million dollars to find a cure for this terrifying disease.
 

Image: Delicious pink and white merchandising at the Cure Shop launch 

This morning Glassons opened 35 concession stores around the country within Glassons stores to present this years range of merchandise dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer within our lifetime. Great cause and SUPER delicious range of products! 

Image: Zambesi Candle

Designers stepping up to the plate this year include Karen Walker, Zambesi, Twenty-Seven Names, Ruby, Trelise Cooper, Cybele and Huffer.  Glassons have also designed a range of specific merchandise that will also be available in the Cure Shop. I nabbed the super cute Phone Clutch in magenta this morning and look forward to popping back in to stock up on other summer essentials. Next on the list:
 

 Image: Twenty Seven Names Sunglasses

Image: Zambesi Tee

Image: Trelise Cooper Swimsuit

Did you know that last year researchers at The University of Auckland found there is a gene in woman that causes breast cancer? What an incredible breakthrough! Groundbreaking research like this needs moolah behind it so let us get our shop on in the Glassons Cure Shop within Glassons stores around the country and online at CureShop.co.nz. 

Jump online or head into stores ASAP because these products will SELL OUT!

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America's Finest News Source

Just another reason to love The Onion! 

XX

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KFC is backing Black

Image: KFC = All Black

In what seems to be a bizarre move by KFC I noticed that their "restaurant" on Dominion Road in Auckland have shed their traditional red and white colours in favour of black and white decor. Go All Blacks??? Just don't jinx us corporate giant...

 Image: Mango tea at Agnes Curran = life changing

I'm starting to get back on my feet so things will hopefully start to pick up around here. Thank you for all your kind tweets and emails! I have intense pangs of bloggers guilt especially while I am recording record amounts of traffic. Being so unwell has reminded me how much I love to chat to you each day and how special our bloggy relationship is. 

Soppy amounts of love,

XX

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Let's make music on the internet

To my dearest bloggy readers, 

I am still really sick. I had to visit the ED at 3.30am the other day to get some help breathing. So I'm sure you can imagine things are a little slow around here so I'll just be popping in to say hello every now and then till I'm better. Trying not to get a case of bloggers guilt while fending off this crazy illness.

To keep you amused check out this cool site I found where you can listen to what a website sounds like. Every site from Style.com to aychblog.com has a tune thanks to Code Organ.

Thank you so much for all of the kind tweets! 

XX

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The world is here to play

The Rugby World Cup 2011 officially opened in Auckland last night with a hiss and a bang. 

 A spectacular opening ceremony at Eden Park celebrated the history of New Zealand and the game of rugby that has become part of our identity. I loved the many pacific influences on the ceremony. It seemed like a fitting welcome to Tonga who later that night scored their first ever try against the All Blacks!

 

The pitch at Eden Park became the stage for a massive projection that with 1,000 dancers told a story of journey welcoming those who have travelled here for the mighty rugby clash and acknowledging the different journeys we all have made (or our ancestors made) to make New Zealand home.

A massive congratulations must be made to Ethan Bai who leaped and bounded through a swarm of rugby players with the RWC 2011 rugby ball to be raised 20meters off the ground and swam through the air with the grace of a professional acrobat. What a superstar!  


The most spine tingling moment for me in the entire ceremony was hearing Jonah Lomu say to young Ethan "Do it for Christchurch!"  

No pressure All Blacks, but it would be really great if you could bring this one home!


XX

All Images: Stuff.co.nz 

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This is the post where I feel a little sorry for myself on the internet...

The post Fashion Week sickness that everyone was tweeting about over the weekend didn't hit me till today and now I feel like death warmed up. The kind of sickness where you actually are forced to go to the doctor and shell out a kadrillion dollars. It has been a crazy month, one that I have loved,  but now my body is killing me. Forced rest. It's saying:

"No running errands. No dairy. Consume only vitamin C and water. Just stop and rest for a day. Or three. AND NO TALKING!"

Goal for tomorrow: Talk to no one except the doctor. And maybe say thank you to the bus driver because let's face it only terrible people don't thank the bus driver. 

Thank goodness for the internet and no-voice-needed-chatter!
Drop me a line on twitter and say hi? I'll be feeling lonely by lunchtime I am sure! 


XX

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NZFW '11: The TECHNOLOGY

NZFW is a wrap!

Now it is time to review the brand new Motorola Xoom on Telecom's XT network that I was  lucky enough to trial this week.  An absolute dream!  

Photo: Katherine Lowe

As I told Katherine Lowe when she asked me "What's in the bag?":

"[In my bag is:] The delicious Motorola XOOM that Motorola and Telecom have kindly lent me to trial for the week. Already my life is so much more amazing because of it! Its super fun and easy to use and because it is run on android technology the features I uses most  (gmail and blogger) are really well integrated into the XOOM layout. I don’t know how I am going to cope when I have to return it!”

The Xoom has become another limb! I can't imagine life with out it! Twitter/Gmail/Facebook/Blogger/Google Docs are all super fast to use and a kadrillion million more free apps are available for the XOOM and easy to download.

One of the coolest features is the  double camera (5mp+digital zoom) on the screen side of the tablet and the back of the tablet. Great for video chat/self take photos and also discrete *stalking-famous-people-in-coffee-shop* photos. I mean runway photos. 

I also love how light it is! In previous fashion weeks (and in a normal day) lugging a laptop around town has been the cause of many neck related injuries as I struggle with an over packed bag. Weighing just 735 grams it feels like the same weight as THE GUIDE published by REMIX for NZFW.

Telecom's XT network provided fast internet and instant satellite access for Google Maps (a major plus when trying to navigate public transport to and from off site shows) with NO connectivity issues. Seamless!

Photo: FourEyes

Clean, easy to use, drama free, slick design and life changing. 

I have no idea how I am going to cope without it!

XX

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NZFW '11: The outfits

 

After a week of writing what was ON the runway I completely forgot to properly snap my own outfits at #NZFW. So much fun dressing up at Fashion Week. Dressing up like you have always wanted to. Like, not dressing up for a formal occasion but dressing up like a ROCKSTAR!

 Day #1: 

Crazy triangle print blue cardi, 

THAT'S SO GAY tee, 

Black chiffon skirt, 

Black Dr. Martens. 

Photo by the babes at foureyes

Day #2: 

Mondrian blazer,

Motorola Xoom,

Canon G12,

Rainbow beads.

 Photo by the babes at foureyes

Day #3:  

Sparkle coat (I made!),
Love heart dress,

Motorola Xoom,

Canon G12

Chaos & Harmony "Kitty" wedges in black/stone.

Day #4:

WORLD coat,

Canon G12

Zebra leggings,

Black Dr Martens.

XX

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#NZFW '11: The friends edition

New bloggy friends! Ingrid is delicious! 

Check out her rad site LatersHaters

Just a few of the many snaps taken over the week with friends old and new.

So great to do fashion with some familiar faces and network with some new ones.

A BIG hello to new readers! 

Meeting Bloggy Royalty: Gala Darling et moi

Me: ZOMG I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I'M A FAN GIRL...Could I have a photo?

Gala: Sure!

A trillion more photos after the jump...

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NZFW '11: The M.A.C edition

The M.A.C #NZFW team worked on an incredible 21 shows! I loved recieving these notes after each show - amazing to see how a designers vision is translated through the medium of makeup. Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

DESIGNER: Ingrid Starnes

KEY MAKEUP ARTIST: Shirley Simpson for M.A.C Cosmetics

INSPIRATION: “Dreamy and Otherwordly”

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NZFW '11: Friday in review. WORLD + NZNTM = AMAZE!

Image: NZNTM finalists Bianca, Rosanagh and Brigette// NZ Herald

It was an incredible experience to attend the live finale of New Zealand's Next Top Model last night. So many questions were filtering through the audience as we waited for the WORLD show to begin where the finalists would walk before the announcement of the NZNTM winner.

Image: Backstage at WORLD // Alix Whittaker

A friend of mine tweeted me some backstage pictures moments before the show started and I almost died when I saw the hair and outfits in real life! WORLD really are the most incredible brand! Full of ideas and emotion their collections encapsulate the fun expression that clothing can create.

For AW '12 the women's collection weaves together three stories:

1. Thus Spake ZARATHUSTRA

A space based collection inspired by the nostelgia of Science Fiction, Religion, Philosophy and Film. A modern Monastic suiting with an electric sensibility

2. The FUTURE

Futuristic Florals set against the monochrome idea of the unknown future, twisted by a sense of the past we never knew... an effort to portray the Duality of Women. 

3. A Modern OLIGARCHY

A new and distinguished Criterion of Merit built on Beauty and sourced from the times we are surrounded by. The dream of a Winter Princess for 2012.

Absolutely divine detailing, colours, textures, styling... I am so sad we have to wait till AW 12 to purchase this collection! I am an absolute die hard WORLD fan girl so will be starting to save for next season already. Top of my covet list? The crystal gloves with red fingernails and every faux fur garment.

After a brief 10 minute deliberation by the judges of NZNTM Brigette was named the winner of Cycle 3. What a gorgeous girl! It has been an honour to tune in every week and see her grow. TOTAL BABE!

XX


Remember the WORLD shoe collaboration with Number One Shoe Warehouse entitled "WORLD made me do it" hits selected Number One Shoe Warehouse stores today. Check out the full range here. I am a massive fan of the Nancy Sinatra and Annie Lennox in peach. Oh shoe addiction! 

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Goodnight NZFW!

Snapped at the Late Night Seduction Show at NZFW - I'm feeling a little blurry!

I was well and truly seduced at the late night seduction show at NZFW this evening! 

Incredible dancers and singers made the audience blush! I have now officially been to my first Burlesque peformance ;-)

 I can't wait to watch the final of New Zealand's Next Top Model on demand when I wake up in the morning to see what viewers at home could see. I thoroughly loved being in the audience. WORLD's collection blew my mind... the super sad thing is we have to wait 9months for it to hit stores! The suspense of the Top Model announcement almost killed me! Congratulations Brigette you are a beautiful person and I am so delighted you won! 

Looking forward to blogging all about the day and some of the amazing friends I made after at least 6 hours sleep.

XX

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NZFW '11: Thursday in review

Image: MisteR //NZ Herald

LOVED MISTER! Absolute standout show! From the rubble of the February earthquake in Christchurch this quirky label brought a stellar collection oozing with fun to the NZFW catwalk.  Plaids, fine knits, suiting, shirts, cropped blazers and cute gingerbread men felt toys on uber babin' models drew the front row to a standing ovation at the end of the show. 

Check out the delicious pink on the models cheeks:

I commented to a friend after the MisteR show that if I saw someone walking down the street like we had just seen on the runway I would immediately want to be their friend! So much great energy in this collection. Stuff.co.nz have a great runway video you can check out here and spot my purple hair in the front row!

Zambesi took the stage early evening presnting a sleek no drama collection where models powered down the catwalk in accents of neon yellow and bright powder blue.

 Image: Zambesi // NZ Herald

Totally slick Zambesi collection with just the right amount of WOW. I need to start saving for one of their blazers/trench coats.

After the Huffer show where a party took place on the runway (check out Katherine's video here) the fashion pack headed up to the Auckland Town Hall for the Workshop and Helen Cherry show. As you can see from the layout below the politics of the front row were well and truly catered for with models weaving their way through isles of fans.

I snapped this photo at the Workshop/Helen Cherry Show - Isn't the venue/lighting amazing!

A super sleek and sexy collection from both Workshop and Helen Cherry left the audience whispering about powerful woman and slender bodies. I think it was by far the most amazing venue and lighting of the week. So luxurious and expensive feeling. Perfect!

The Never Black instalation was a lovely way to end a long day with models posing around the room in the AW '12 collection. I'm still hunting for some good pics so will post them ASAP.

Massive congratulations to all who have shown at NZFW this year. You are all truly amazing creatives! BEYOND excited to attend the WORLD show on Friday night which will be the final of New Zealand's Next Top Model and will be broadcast live on TV3.
 
World+TopModel+Shoe Collaboration with Number One Shoes = Glittertastic.

XX

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NZFW '11 Wednesday in review

An early start drew the fashion pack out this morning to the off site show of Ruby and the catwalk debut of sister brand Liam. I was lucky enough to enjoy a salmon croissant pre show (it is the small things in life!) and got to enjoy a little bit of a giggle as gossip from the previous night circulated. I wish I didn't have a conscience and could tweet all the terrible things I hear...

Image: Liam // Getty Images

The debut collection for Liam was super tight with delicious fabrics and sleek silhouettes presented. I love the Mandarin colour and bright blue pictured above.

Image: Ruby // Getty Images

The mauve knit by Ruby (pictured above) has me salivating and already planning my AW '12 purchases! The use of a bold green/blue/black pattern also caught my eye!

Image: Celine Rita // The A List

Uber cool designer Celine Chapman presented a tight cohesive range this morning for her label Celine Rita. There is a delicious fabric called the "ballet print" that I am hunting for a picture of but will get it up here ASAP. So delicious and talented.

Image: Jimmy D // Getty Images

I could write ALL NIGHT about the deliciousness that is James Dobson! Presenting his AW '12 collection for his label Jimmy D this afternoon he well and truly wowed his audience. Entitled "It's a kind of magick" the inspiration scrawled over makeup charts read: 

"Sweedish death metal meets Pam from True Blood"

 Image: Elly post Jimmy D 

This incredible eye print was created by Amber D and her amazing team at M.A.C using Black Black acrylic paint. Isn't super babe Elly look a badass beauty?



Stolen Girlfriends Club showed their AW '12 collection at Shed 6 this evening with a crowd that were almost causing a riot pre show! Great energy! With all the showmanship that is SGC models lined up behind the lit white back curtain to reveal their silhouettes before they walked down the runway.

 Image: Models at Stolen Girlfriends Club

The first models that hit the catwalk wore what could best be described as '80s prom/bridesmaid dresses. Briliantly gastly tafeta in salmon made me wince in a "I actually hope this is their collection" kind of way.  

The girls stripped out of their vintage dresses on catwalk to reveal the AW '12 SGC range. Sleek racer backs, printed chiffons, an incredible teal and attitude are how I would sumarise the collection in 10 words! 

Image: Stolen Girlfriends Club // The A List

There was an incredible fur coat (fake I hope) that finished the runwayshow that I NEED in my life. I'll get a picture up here ASAP. 

Image: Emma Gleason et moi after getting our hair "chalked" with Kevin Murphy Colour Bug in the bloggers corner at NZFW this afternoon.

I feel very honoured to be invited to every show at NZFW this year (except for Sabatini) so the designers that make it into this daily summary are the ones that I think are stand outs. I am so glad to see the pace picked up with some great collections presented today! Tomorrow brings: Whiri, New Generation show, MisteR, Sable&Minx/Brady, Zambesi, Huffer, Workshop and Never Black.

Possibly time for a cuppa tea and some sleep? Fashion is brilliantly exhausting.

XX

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