Blogger Closet Raid THIS THURSDAY!

If you are in Auckland this Thursday come say hello to me at The Blogger Closet Raid at Cross St Arcade (in the atrium of Iron Bank building) on K Road as part of the official New Zealand Fashion Festival schedule and as an inaugural event for First Thursdays.

I'll be hosting a stall with Miss Phloss and we will be parting with some gems and entertaining our guests with cupcakes :-)

Come say hello!

X

Continue...

Travailler gratuitement...

Can we all agree that Matt Purcell (pictured left, photo by Sacha Stejko) is an epic babe? I don't in anyway claim to be an expert on models and their careers BUT I do know a babe when I see one! 

Tonight at the first collection show of NZFF his pretty face walked the catwalk for several collections and even caused Myken Stewart to tap me on the shoulder to agree with my sighs that his hair is amazing! 

Big congratulations to the team at New Zealand Fashion Festival for such a slick event. The collection show tonight was perfectly timed, well executed and had both a fun but professional atmosphere. I must admit I was a little cautious stepping into the public world of fashion (my experience so far has been of wild behavior at the famous Designer Garage Sales at New Zealand Fashion Week) but tonight was a blast. 

If you are interested in checking out the action there are still some tickets available to some shows and seminars over on iTicket.


Earlier in the night I attended Jenene Crossan's "5 Simple Steps to become a Magazine Editor". She shared some good pointers (write every day, be passionate, define your area of interest) and some thoughts that have left me both agitated and challenged. 

Jenene encouraged the audience to write for free. I am very cautious of this advice. While unpaid internships and the opportunities to get your work published are amazing they need to be understood with the general picture of the publication in mind. 

I am concerned with the way that many business models across a variety of industries (mainly creative ones) rely on free labour as part of their business model. I think being part of a start up company/publication and offering your services for free while the business grows is a great opportunity to be there from the beginning and have a contributing voice to the development of a new venture. I think offering to cover an event for a publication for free by way of a trial shows a go-get-em attitude and a way to prove to a publication you understand their voice and their readers. Like an audition for the job you want in their company. 

However, I am becoming increasingly frustrated with businesses that are turning large profits, hiring interns/free labour as a "service to the community". Design houses across the world do it and the print world is no different. I was shocked to hear that several big couture houses take on extra interns during show season (without hope of a job at the end of the internship) to avoid paying for extra labour costs during busy times. 

It's a hard balance between getting the experience you need in your industry and earning a livable wage. On the one hand you need to learn the ropes and become attractive to future employers BUT bills have to be paid. If you are starting out in your industry I hope these words will give you something to think about as you look for experience and internships. 


XX

Continue...

Hello New Zealand Fashion Festival!

Image: Me, Dee and Miss Phloss in our Sunday best

Tonight marked the official launch of the 2012 New Zealand Fashion Festival!

Miss Phloss and I (escorted by the lovely Dee) were at the opening party tonight and had some good natters with le fashion pack. I really love our local industry.. so many amazing people!

Over the next week and a bit Auckland will play host to a variety of events both on and off the catwalk celebrating New Zealand design. Click here to view the full schedule and to purchase tickets to events.

Make sure you head up to K Road on Thursday night (between 6pm and 9pm) for First Thursdays and come say hello to me at the Bloggers Closet Raid.

Happy Fashion Festival!

XX

Continue...

Dinner with Christopher Kennedy Lawford

Image: Christopher Kennedy Lawford signed this book for us with the words "One day at a time"

Last night I had the incredible privilege of attending the 2012 Feb Fast Gala Dinner at the Auckland Museum hosted by The New Zealand Drug Foundation where Chris Kennedy Lawford was the keynote speaker.

He is one incredible human being! Mr Kennedy Lawford has spent 26 years in recovery, is a published author, an actor, an activist and the nephew of JFK. Yup, I had dinner with a Kennedy! He shared his struggle for sobriety and support in a world where outward success is often the benchmark of a valued life.

I was holding back tears as he spoke with brutal honesty. He gave the analogy of addiction being like dancing with an 800 pound gorilla. That gorilla makes you dance when it wants to dance. A person who has danced with an 800 pound gorilla and survived to tell the story is a person of great strength and we need to celebrate their recovery rather than stigmatize the illness.

There is only four more days left of #FebFast and I need your help. I am determined to raise as much money possible for the recipient charities who work with young people battling alcohol and other drug addictions. I'm in the lead in fundraising efforts for Rainbow Youth team but I have competitors hot on my heels!

If you are able to help I would love it if you could click here to make a donation. 

Make sure you select Hannah McArdle when donating to our team so I can write you a handwritten thank you note!

XX

Continue...

The Wedding Dance by Elliot London

I love the internet and I love community! 

Film maker Elliot London emailed me with this short three minute film on the marriage and love story of a family. 

Elliot tells me:

"The objective with this project is to raise money for our feature film FRIEND. A film about coming out in 2012. A time now when things are so different with social networking. A time now that a child might not have the correct tools to coupe with humiliation in an instant world. FRIEND is about giving back. Its a movie about accepting and loving oneself but most of all it is about educating. With the proceeds from this film I am going to be donating the profits to groups that help educate at risk youth... If we can raise $10,000 to make our last film with social networking. Than $250,000 can be done. Please take a look at the campaign we have started. Please share this film..."

The short film above is rad and I wish him every success! 

XX

Continue...

Crazy extra Shop One Night offer live at 9:30pm till 10:30pm

Image: My Best Fashion Friend Mr Matt Purcell getting a little cray cray!

I HAVE A CRAZY NEW OFFER FOR SHOP ONE NIGHT!

In 8 minutes at 9.30pm FOR ONE HOUR I can offer you a 10% discount on everything online at the Chaos & Harmony online store. That is on top of 40% off Summer Sale stock and the one off Jackie shoe from the AW '12 collection that we are retailing only for this evening!

CODE at checkout: Aych

Image: Exclusive for Shop One Night the Jackie pump in Ink

Click here to purchase!

SUCH FUNNN!!!

Continue...

SHOP ONE NIGHT!

Welcome to Shop One Night! I'm down at the #S1N in Britomart's Nathan Club in downtown Auckland with the Style T.RI.B.E (Trendsetters, Roving Reporters, Influencers, Bloggers and Editors) are gathered with their brand partners to tweet up a storm. 

My fave Auckland fashion man Mr Colin Colin Mathura-Jeffree just said to me "If a bomb went off in here [at #S1N] all of New Zealand's social media would be wiped out!"

I'm here with Beks Anderson of Chaos & Harmony promoting this delicious peep toe pump with velvet upper in NEVER BEFORE RELEASED COLOURWAY! The Jackie shoe is from the AW 12 Common Confessions range and has previously only been seen in black but I can also offer it to you in Ink (dark navy blue) for the night!

This style retails for $279 but Aych Blog readers can get them for $195 by CLICKING HERE! There is also 40% off all end of season summer shoes on Chaos & Harmony shoes for the night (excludes already discounted styles).

Don't our matching toes look pretty!

Get purchasing as this offer runs out at Midnight tonight (NZDT) 

XX

Continue...

Aroha nui Christchurch ♥

My dearest readers,

Today marks the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that rocked Christchurch at the beginning of 2011. For many people in New Zealand and around the globe today was a tough day. I know I struggled! I believe that remembering these milestones is an important part of moving forward. Acknowledging the sadness, fear and anxiety that still plague us is an important step in overcoming the hard days. I read the following poem by Tracy McAra on Radio Ponsonby this evening as my small way of paying tribute to the Kiwi spirit.

'Just Another Day'

by Tracy McAra

I went to work this morning - it was just another day.

Never dreaming for one moment of the horrors we would face.

12.51 will now be etched forever in our minds,

The day the Garden City fell - Mother Nature crossed the line,

The panic and the shock would hit each and everyone,

From Bluff up to Kaitaia - no respite for anyone.

The phone lines jammed as many calls each one of us would make

To our loved ones down in Christchurch - we just prayed we weren't too late.

The cameras started rolling we could not believe the sights

The screams, the cries, the panicked look in everybody's eyes.

The twisted metal girders of the buildings that fell down,

The rubble, dust and mud pools forming all around the town.

Those of us who were not there still shed our tears the same

For people trapped and dying though we did not know their names.

New Zealand's darkest day had come and together we must stand

To give all that we have to try and help our fellow man.

The Kiwi way it will prevail - we will stand proud and strong

As our nation comes together, Christchurch will live on.

We will rebuild, we will stand up and shake our fists up to the sky

You may have knocked us down a while - but we'll get up and fight.

To everyone that's lost someone our hearts they bleed as one.

Our thanks go to the rescuers - to each and every one,

To the unsung heroes on the street who didn't stop to think,

Who put themselves in danger helping others from the brink,

To the police force and the army and the student volunteers,

To the USAR teams from near and far who kindly share our tears.

We will go on, we will prevail to live another day.

After all, that's what we are - it is the Kiwi way! 

XX

Continue...

Behind the scenes with Beks Anderson at Chaos & Harmony

I'm getting pretty excited for the Shop One Night event taking place this Thursday night where I will be promoting the Jackie shoe in a never before retailed colourway! (Read details in my post below) 

It has been delicious getting to know the Chaos & Harmony team while we have been nutting out this deal. I had a chat with designer Beks Anderson on her creative process and what exactly goes into designing a footwear collection: 

When did your love of shoes begin?

I've always loves shoes, even as a kid. I was inspired by my grandmothers wardrobe where she had racks of clothes and shelves full of shoes and bags. The shoes always stood out to me! She was a very chic lady who loved quality and design, she always looked stunning!

Did you always dream of becoming a footwear designer?

No I loved design and ideas and pulling concepts together, but the dream of becoming a shoe designers only happened in the last 10 years. But as a look back at different jobs and opportunities shoes were always tugging at me!

What does your creative process look like?

It slightly varies each season, but I always start with some questions, like what could be? Is there are a little bit of a story we could tell here? Not so much with the actual shoe and finished product but just looking at concepts from a design focus. 

Once we have a few ideas, we start to play around - talk to my team and anyone else that takes my fancy. Then I dive into research, and find images/words anything that inspires me.

When we have a good concept and a focal point, thats when I get into my drawing. I love putting pencil to paper and just playing around. I don't tend to limit myself too much or think about the end result just draw and draw.

Then when things need to become practical, thats when we start to look at how the shoes could be fully formed, we look at leathers, materials, hardware and any other design details plus we see whats happening in footwear trends.

Thats when we get to see the shoes take shape. Its constantly refined down to what we can see working in the market but keeping our Chaos & Harmony design aesthetic!

What are the most important characteristics of a shoe that a consumer should look for when making purchases?

Form and function. You've got to love the look of them first and then when you put them on, they have to feel good. Also know what works for you and your body shape. Not everyone can wear everything but stretch yourself from time to time and try on something new! We've had a lot of tall girls say I can't wear heels and then we get them into some and can't get them out!

Who would you give up a kidney for to see wearing Chaos & Harmony?

Kate Moss,Juliette Lewis, Taylor Tomasi-Hill, Florence Welch, Gwyneth Paltrow - just to name a few!

Top trend for this coming winter in footwear?

It seems platforms and wedges are still going strong. People are loving the height and ease of wearing them, they are always way more comfortable than they look and they make such a statement!


XX


Stay up to date with all the Shop One Night chatter via the event page on Facebook and look out for sneaky behind the scenes scoop on the night via my Facebook page and Twitter feed!

Continue...

Aych Blog and Chaos & Harmony for Shop One Night

I'm really excited to announce that for Shop What's New's online shopping night this week I have partnered with New Zealand footwear designer Chaos & Harmony! 

This Thursday 23rd of February between 5pm and midnight, Shop What's New are hosting an online shopping evening entitled Shop One Night with ridiculous discounts and exciting brand partnerships. 

Long time readers will be aware of my obsession with pretty and trend driven shoes. Choas & Harmony have been a brand I have admired from a distance for a while and this week will see us working together for the first time :-)

On the night I will be promoting a peep toe pump with velvet upper in a NEVER BEFORE RELEASED COLOURWAY! The Jackie shoe is from the AW 12 Common Confessions range and has previously only been seen in black but I can also offer it to you in Ink (dark navy blue) for the night!

This style retails for $279 but Aych Blog readers can get them for $195! Also, there will be 40% off all end of season summer shoes on Chaos & Harmony shoes for the night (excludes already discounted styles).

I have an awesome interview with Beks from Chaos & Harmony ready to post in the morning so check in again in a few hours to get to know her a little more :-)

XX

p.s. You can find the latest Shop One Night info on their event Facebook Page!

Continue...

Ricky & Nicki for M.A.C Viva Glam

Nicki and Ricki for M.A.C Viva Glam

Check out these pictures from the Ricky & Nicki for M.A.C Viva Glam Launch in New York this week!  Nicky Minaj has created a Yellow Pink (Satin) lipstick for M.A.C and Ricky Martin has his name all over a clear lip conditioner.  SUCH babes! 

"The M.A.C AIDS Fund's mission is to serve people of all ages, all races, all sexes affected by HIV and AIDS. To partner with the bold, the visionary, and the brave who confront the epidemic in countries and communities where people are most neglected, off the radar, and at highest risk.  

Responsive, agile and alert, MAF funds innovative programs that deal directly with the most marginalized, stigmatized and under heard victims. MAF celebrates life, humanity, creativity and individuality. Making a difference, one VIVA GLAM lipstick at a time"  

[unofficial quote] "Nomable lip colour" 

I'm sure you all know by now that I am a massive M.A.C fan. It's hard not to love their fashion forward innovative products but what converted me is this radical initiative, the M.A.C AIDS Fund and the Viva Glam campaigns which have been running since 1994. 

Every cent from the selling price of M.A.C Viva Glam products goes to the M.A.C Aids Fund.

To read more about this initiative check out the M.A.C AIDS Fund online and pledge your support by buying one of these limited edition products at your local M.A.C store or online by clicking here.

XX

Event Images: Wire Image

Continue...

What I actually do...

I thought I would have a little go at this meme! 


 XX

Continue...

Pinteresting...

I have jumped on the Pinterest buzz! You can follow my boards here :)

Pinterest is an image sharing/gathering site that makes crediting sources easy while leaving original links intact. Mad fun! I have started a Gagaspiration board in preparation for The Born This Way Ball. ONLY 113 DAYS TILL HRH LADY GAGA PLAYS IN AUCKLAND!!!

Boards on Pinterest also have a contributors function which is a great resource for both friends and colleagues to create visual collages with.  I was honored when my friends Nicole and Josh asked me to be a contributor to their Wedding board! They have asked friends around the world to pin bits they think they will like... Such a cool way to involve loved ones on their journey :)

XX

p.s. There has been much chatter on the interwebs about people linking their Pinterest and Tumblr to their Facebook/Twitter feeds... I haven't activated auto post because I figure if you are interested you will find and follow me on these sites rather than hearing about one platform on another! (*fingerscrossed*) 

Continue...

#BGO in photos..

Yesterday I attended my first Big Gay Out, Auckland's family friendly pride picnic. First impressions? SO MANY PUPPIES! Every kind of puppy with every kind of owner. Brilliant snapshot of diversity :-) I got to hangout with friends, dodge raindrops, meet new friends and have snuggles with all of the puppies. A very good day! The pictures say it all really...

My fellow FebFaster Hannah Spyksma made an amazing marble cake. Gay Camo?

DIY glittery shoes (kind of) survived the rain...

Hannah's cake or "gay-ke" as it became known as was delicious!

SO much love!

You should follow my friend Clint. He is twamous! 

Check out Zakk's MONSTER CLAWS!

So many puppies....

Puppies with pink hats!

Miss Tess Tickle and her boys... 

I had an inspiring chat with Jacinda Ardern about changing the world!

Waiting for the Prime Minister to speak...

My new friend Gizmo!

Best Puppy Friends!

Continue...

The Week That Was

1. This week has been an unexpectedly eventful one with some strong reactions from politicians, friends, twitter followers and acquaintances to the open letter I wrote to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and in regards to my involvement with #FebFast. These interactions have confirmed my resolve to do all that I can with my life to fight for human rights to become a human reality.

2. One of the positive messages I received this week in regards to this small level of activism was from one of my internet heroes Ryan James Yezak. Ryan is a filmmaker based in the US and is preparing to make a film called Second Class Citizens chronicling the oppression of the rainbow community in America. He is the genius behind internet parodies California Gays and Only Gay In The World. Check out this teaser for his documentary:

3. This week I was reminded how lovely it is to have fresh flowers around! Nothing like waking up to lilac roses to remember there IS beauty in this world. 

4. Lady Gaga announced her confirmed tour dates for The Born This Way Ball that will see her performing in New Zealand on June 7th at Vector Arena. Excited doesn't even begin to explain how this make me feel! 

If you are a Pinterest user check out my Gagaspiration board that I will be filling up over the coming months as friends and I plan costumes (and let me know if you need a Pinterest invitation!)

5. This quote is gold:

"Fashion, with its affinity for transformation, can act out instability and loss but it can also, and equally, stake out the terrain of "becoming" - new social and sexual identities, masquerade and performativity."  

- Caroline Evans, 2003  

6. My friend Nathan cheered me up this week with a plethora of "go you" kind of songs. Here is his number one:

7. I'm halfway through transforming a pair of sand shoes into a glitter spectacle. Here is a sneaky peak:

XX

Continue...

More green // More zen

Image: Stephmodo

I am a massive fan of creating beautiful spaces to work in and love the idea of bringing plants and flowers indoors. My friend Megan has hanging baskets in her house and they create a super cool energy around the dining table. So super zen!

Check out Elisha McLanghlan's easy steps to create hanging terrariums with mint.

This weekend while running errands in Ponsonby I stopped and bought myself a bunch of lilac roses and made a vase for them by painting an old jam jar white. I figured no one else is buying me flowers so I might as well treat my self (and hey, less calories than chocolate right?)

There is something so incredibly empowering about looking after YOU. Gala says it all the time but radical self love is both one of the hardest lessons to learn but possibly the healthiest and most life changing.

I also bought some tea light candles this weekend and made little candle holders for them by painting small glass jars white.

So now my workspace looks like a fairy haven filled with flowers and candles!

Go make your space pretty today :)

Continue...

Dear Prime Minister John Key

Today in New Zealand it is Waitiangi Day. This is our national holiday when we remember the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) between Queen Victoria and the Maori people in 1840.

We get the day off work (or get paid a little more if we do have to work) enjoy the sun and engage in political dialogue as to the future of our island nation.  So I thought today would be the perfect day to publish an open letter to Prime Minister John Key that I wrote a few weeks ago.

I hope you will feel encouraged to take similar action in your town/city/country in the fight for the rights of all peoples in your community.

XX

RT Hon John Key,

Prime Minister,

Parliament Office,

Private Bag 18888,

Parliament Buildings,

Wellington 6160

6th February 2012

Dear Prime Minister, 

I am writing to you to ask you for the New Zealand government's reaction to Hillary Clinton's address to the United Nations on the 6th of December 2011 marking the 63rd birthday of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Ms Clinton asked the gathered leaders to reflect on the innate value of all human beings that the Declaration of Human Rights proclaims. She humbly asked her audience to consider the atrocities that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered peoples currently face around the world on a day to day basis. The violence, discrimination and killings of LGBT people at the hands of civil authorities world wide is absolutely unacceptable and especially so in light of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which Ms Clinton explains includes protection of queer individuals and communities. 

Ms Clinton challenged global leadership to boldly set precedents for the inclusion of LGBT people in all levels of society by the way laws are constructed. She states:

"Laws have a teaching effect. Laws that discriminate validate other kinds of discrimination. Laws that require equal protections reinforce the moral imperative of equality. And practically speaking, it is often the case that laws must change before fears about change dissipate." 

I believe the mantra of the National Party on Gay Marriage and Adoption Reform before the 2011 election was that these issues would not be a priority of your government this term. 

Equal access to the economic, legal and social privileges that marriage affords New Zealanders for both queer and straight couples is imperative to a New Zealand that recognizes the Declaration of Human Rights and the contribution of all peoples in our society.

The ability for a same sex couple to adopt with the same responsibilities and protections as a heterosexual couple or individual will acknowledge the choice that  same sex couples make when starting a family. We can't ignore that New Zealand has staggering rates of neglect and abuse when it comes to our young people. Denying a same sex couple the ability to adopt or foster children is ridiculous in light of how many non planned births in this country result in a life of poverty and neglect.

I ask you Prime Minister, what steps will your government take to start the conversation with Parliament and our nation on the need to afford both homosexual and heterosexual couples the same rights and legal protections that marriage affords? Will you bring cross party dialogue on adoption reform to the floor of parliament in the form of legislative change that will recognize the capacity of both heterosexual and homosexual couples to love and nurture?

I anticipate your response,

Hannah McArdle

Editor of aychblog.com

Continue...

Introducing Alicia Hannah Naomi

This week I interviewed Melbourne based jewelry designer Alicia Hannah Naomi. I first met Alicia 2010 in Sydney at (the then titled) Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Alicia is such a babe and an epic ambassador for her brand. Along with her successful jewelry line she also hosts a slick style chronicle called Sea of Ghosts. 

Earlier this week Alicia tweeted about a new creation (the Eon Ring) and I instantly decided what I want for my birthday in 6 weeks time. Do you like how I dropped a subtle reminder to family and friends there? Let's chat to Alicia Hannah Naomi:

The Eon Ring by Alicia Hannah Naomi

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Thank you - to you and your readers also!

Where did your adventures with fashion and jewelry begin?

My first job out of high school was at a small independent jewellery store in 2003. I was just a Christmas casual then, I worked my way up to store manager by the time the owners moved to Perth in 2007 and closed the store. It became a love for life. We didn't have a uniform at the store and were encouraged to dress creatively. I still don't think I really understood my own personal style at that time, working in retail I was easily seduced by the fast fashion trends that surrounded me.

The Luminaire Ring by Alicia Hannah Naomi

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

These days I've definitely come to embrace a darker aesthetic, attune to the aged, organic imperfection championed by the Japanese aesthetics of wabi and sabi. 

Who would you cut off your left hand to see wearing your work?

If I didn't have a left hand I wouldn't be able to work so I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that arrangement! I would probably give my left ear to see someone as decadently influential as Michele Lamy wear one of my rings.

The Stella Noir Ring by Alicia Hannah Naomi

Top 3 creations of all time? 

Surprisingly my favourite designs all have stones - the Luminaire Ring, the Eon Ring and the Stella Noir Ring. 

And tell us a little about Sea of Ghosts?

These days the blog is a chronicle of "all things dark and whimsical" that help shape and influence my sartorial and life style. It's where I vent my style woes, lust after things I can't afford, share my purchases, document my daily outfits and showcase my jewellery designs. I used to post a lot of inspirational imagery but I tend to keep most of that on my tumblr account now because it's less personal. I think having the blog has been one of the core elements that helped me diagnose my style identity. I can't say I'd be who I am today (and so content about it) if I hadn't blogged that journey.

You can follow Alicia on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and over at Sea of Ghosts.

XX

Continue...