Last week I received a Karen Murrell lipstick in a goodie bag. In a rush to get to a dinner after the show, I quickly whipped on a coat of ‘Coral Dawn’ at the traffic lights hoping it wouldn’t clash with my dress.
I have worn it every day since.
The colour suited me (outrageously well if I say so myself), it felt good, it looked good, it smelt good, and stayed on throughout my very messy Mexican dinner. What’s more, it was an all-natural product.
In my year long quest to find organic products that actually work, and don’t smell like a swamp, I knew I was onto a winner. I had to find this woman. And as fate would have it, our paths just happened to cross three days later. After racking Murrell’s brains over green teas and soy lattes, here is what I found.
Karen Murrell
Te Awamutu born Karen Murrell is a lady’s lady, a girl’s girl and simply a delight to be around. I could immediately see how her gorgeous femininity had been directed into the look, feel, care and colour range of Karen Murrell Lipsticks.
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Vintage clothing has become a trend that since early 2000's has been a growing market for young fashionistas that are looking for one off 'statement' piece that will enhance their personal style. This is one shopping trend that looks set to stay.Danielle Goodwin has been one of these trend setters that has invested time, passion and money into her personal collection, selecting high end vintage designers pieces and couture accessories while traveling the world.Danielle's collection has now become so large that she has been able to open an online store, Hawkeye Vintage, where she is sharing these beautiful designer items with you.
Hawkeye Vintage's collection features pieces such as this Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Blazer with their statement gold YSL buttons or the exquisite Thierry Mugler bright shocking red dress.
Yves Saint Laurent vintage blazer
Thierry Mugler vintage red dress
Make sure you keep your eye out on Hawkeye Vintage's online boutique for your next investment garment at www.hawkeyevintage.comFor enquires on any pieces featured on Hawkeye Vintage boutique website contact Danielle at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or follow on Facebook here.
This year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia was a spectacular visual feast, with an eclectic array of eye-popping prints, bold colours and structured silhouettes all standing out on the runway. Here are the key trends that emerged this year:
‘Print-Blocking’ and Graphic Prints
Just as colour-blocking emerged as last summer’s defining trend, what I’ve christened ‘print-blocking’ looks set to do the same. Mismatched graphic print combos created spectacular runway looks, while digital prints were paired with stripes, spots and florals to create eclectic, eye-catching looks.
Romance Was Born Read more ...
“Imogen spent the afternoon with Jen at Louise Gray Skin Care at 188 Ponsonby Road in the hope of discovering how to reverse sun damage…”Over the last year, I have noticed a couple of sunspots appear on my face. I take enormous pride in looking after my skin. I wear sunscreen every day; I cleanse tone and moisturise, drink plenty of water, and without fail always take my make-up off before going to bed. So you can imagine how horrified I was to realise that the sun had taken its toll on my precious, perfectly maintained skin. So I headed to Louise Gray Skin Care to spend the afternoon with skin specialist Jen to find out if there was any way I could reverse the damage done.
What is Sun Damage?
Sun damage is most easily recognised as hyperpigmentation – dark dots, larger than a freckle, flat unlike a mole, and more commonly known as sunspots. Read more ...
Designers:
New Generation 1Jenny KeeWe are HandsomeAJEThe InnovatorsRoopa PemmarajuAustralian Fashion Laureate ShowCarl KappChristopher Esber
Celebs on site:
NZ-born supermodel, Kylie Bax
Show highlights:
Much-loved iconic Australian designer, Jenny Kee, was back with an installation, 21 years after her last solo show. Transforming a small space inside Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal (aka Fashion Week HQ) into a lush tropical forest, Kee presented clothes styled by Romance Was Born’s Anna Plunket and Luke Sales, characterised by a riot of colour, layers and texture. Kee also dipped into her vast fashion archives to show of some past favourite looks.
A plethora of new talent also took to the runway for the first of the New Generation shows, and The Innovators show, showing that the future of the Australian fashion industry is definitely in good hands.
The Innovators show featured notable graduates from the Sydney Institute
Fashion Design Studio, whose distinguished alumnae include Alex Perry, Dion Lee and Akira. Kaylene Milner was a real standout, with stylish graphic prints, fur and flashes of neon coming together in a strangely cohesive and unique way, which totally worked.
Image credit: MBFWA
- Natalie Cosgrove
Lisa HoAlice McCallSara PhillipsBec & BridgeElleryOrotonHardwickWatson X WatsonKooey AustraliaAn Ode to No OneMen’s Collection Show
Ruby Rose in Alice McCall, front row at the showJodi Gordon front row at Alice McCallYvan Rodic, Bryan Boy, Susie Bubble and Rumi Neely all front row at Alice McCall
Alice McCall’s modern Russian dolls bringing her SS12 collection, Babooshka, to life on the runway. Aside from the slightly unpleasant ear raping courtesy of the Kate Bush song of the same name on the soundtrack, this was one of my favourite shows of the week.The playful collection, finding inspiration from Hungarian folk art, showed off a rainbow palette of brights and pastels, from soft lavender and blue to citrus shades of yellow, orange and tangerine. The Hungarian influence was also seen in the range of silhouettes, including apron necklines, lampshade skirts, sundresses and playsuit-style onesies. A stunning wave cut out neckline was a highlight, as well as an asymmetrical interpretation of this season’s biggest silhouette, the peplum skirt.
Photography: Merceds-Benz Fashion Week Australia
Ellery’s highly anticipated show proved to be one of the more popular of the week, and her SS12 collection, Delicatessen, was a tight, structural range featuring sharp shoulders and high necklines, staying true to the designer’s signature aesthetic.The clothes were defined by a futuristic edge, and featured a more pared back colour palette than a lot of what we’ve seen this week, and a refreshing lack of florals, giving way for metallic silver shades with flashes of red and green.
To help you get through the cold winter months looking fabulous and feeling great!
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ZimmermannMaticevskiFlowers for a VagabondTalulahMichael Lo SordoToi et MoiSong for the MuteBy JohnnyMagdalena VelevksaJohanna JohnsonJayson BrunsdonBowie
More Lara BingleSusie BubbleElin KingPrince Harry
Highlight:
Johanna Johnson’s gorgeously luxe gowns taking centre stage in the Mercedes-Benz presents show. The Kiwi born, Australian-claimed designer joins a prestigious international list of past winners, including Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhullier, Badgley Mischka and Narcisco Rodriguez.
Johnson’s aptly titled ‘Luxor’ collection for SS 2012 is a decadent mix of flowing ball gowns with plunging backs and necklines, featuring metallics, feathers and elaborate diamante headbands, as well as distinct twenties nuances and tougher contrasts of leather and lace.
Johanna Johnson
Veterans Zimmermann’s collection featured the feminine, girly aesthetic the label has become renowned for, with lashings of florals and sheer fabrics, and of course their signature covet-worthy swimwear.
Zimmermann Swimwear
Zimmermann
Jayson Brunsdon’s installation showcasing his SS12 collection, The Lady is a Tramp, which the designer says is “about the loss of control, falling in love, romance, passion and sensuality.” Brunsdon’s decadent, ultra-feminine, sultry designs have a dark edge that differentiates them from the bright colour palettes many Australian designers favour.
Jayson Brunsdon's 'The Lady is a Tramp' SS12 collection
All images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia
Article by Natalie Cosgrove
Romance Was BornLisa MareeGail SorrondaGary BigeniKirrily JohnstonCamillaDylan CooperMiss UnkonManning CartellAurelio CostarellaWhitney Eve and We by Whitney PortKsubiGinger and Smart
Celebs on Site:
Whitney PortLara Bingle (trailed by cameras filming footage for her “highly anticipated” new reality show, Being Lara Bingle)Sophie Lowe
The Ksubi after party at the Flinders Hotel where free drinks and beautiful people were plentiful, and being lucky enough to witness a sweet rendition of Elton John’s Rocket Man, karaoke style, by this very cool fellow.
Image source: Pedestrian.tv
Getting papped at Ksubi. Image source: Oyster
Show Highlights:
Day one of MBFWA kicked off with a bang (or should I say kapow!) with Romance was Born’s highly anticipated collaboration with Marvel comics. Sexy flame-haired superheroes graced the runway showing off RWB’s signature neonbrights, and bold colours which offset eye-catching graphic prints. The most striking thing about the collection is that wearability has not been sacrificed for the sake of creativity and daring; without a doubt, this is definitely a commercially viable collection.
Image source: MBFWA
A few other shows generating buzz on day one were Manning Cartell, who converted an old church into a runway and showed a stunning collection inspired by Frida Kahlo, with lots of embellishments, digital prints and many of the symbols Kahlo’s work was famed for like, fruit, flowers and birds; and Aurelio Costarella, whose collection paid tribute to the twenties with intricate beading and twenties silhouettes, offset by amazing pom pom head dresses.
Manning Cartell. Image source: MBFWA
Aurelio Costarella. Image source: MBFWA
And of course, Whitney Port of The Hills fame showcased her uber-girly collection, which featured lots of sweet, sherbet tones of yellow, pink and blue.
Like New Zealand, Australia is renowned for its plethora of young design talent, and several of these emerging designers will present at group collection shows at MBFWA next week.
Katie Pratt, the creative brains behind Elliatt, a label that has enjoyed a rapid rise since its inception in late 2010, is one such talent. Elliatt’s signature design aesthetic combines sophisticated, sexy glamour with luxe fabrics, bold silhouettes and statement prints, and the label’s 2012 transeasonal collection, as seen below, demonstrates this eclectic fusion of prints, fabrics and sharply executed design.
Elliatt’s bold selection of 12 upbeat 60s-inspired summer looks are sure to be a stand-out in next Thursday’s New Generation show at MBFWA, with an assortment of playful mod shift dresses, seductive lace and textured fusions, on-trend bright and printed separates set to be shown off on the catwalk.
With a vision to provide fashion-forward, quality investment pieces at a more accessible price point, Elliatt is definitely one to watch, and while not yet stocked in NZ, there’s definitely a market for it across the ditch, so hopefully the collection makes its way to our shores soon.
Coachella. If you’re not there, then chances are you’re whingeing via social media about why you’re not, while talking about the Tupac hologram and the #totesamaze line-up, or perhaps THIS little Instagram of Rihanna being very, very naughty.Having garnered a cult following as one of the biggest and best music festivals in the world, Coachella is also rapidly building a reputation for throwing out some pretty serious sartorial statements.“Festie fashion” is a trend that we probably owe almost entirely to Kate Moss’s signature grungy denim cut offs/gum boots look she wears at Glastonbury every year, but it has evolved into somewhat of a full-blown trend, as evidenced by the festival fashion style guides in countless magazines, and via online retail giants Topshop and ASOS.A few common threads at the first weekend of Coachella this year include a distinctly contemporary fifties look, such as vintage sun dresses, cat’s eye glasses and bustiers teamed with denim cut offs, as well as neons, crop tops, denim shorts, the usual hippie garb and a whole lot of desert boots. Here are a few highlights:
Modern pin up. Image credit: Harpersbazaar.com Read more ...
The countdown is on to the biggest industry event on the Australian fashion calendar, the newly-anointed Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. As usual, the event promises to bring together some of the biggest names in the industry, showcasing their SS 12/13 collections to the fashion pack, industry buyers, press and bloggers amidst spectacular waterside environs in Sydney.
Despite the conspicuous lack of New Zealand talent this year, and the shock eleventh-hour withdrawal of big names Dion Lee and Josh Goot (sad face); who are both citing the need to focus on other core activities of their respective brands, there’s still plenty to be excited about.
The visual fashion feast kicks off with some much-loved favourites in Australian fashion on Monday 30 April starting with the always popular Romance was Born, before Kirrily Johnston, Manning Cartell, Ksubi and Ginger & Smart, celebrating their ten-year anniversary, showcase their collections on the runway.
Budding fashionistas and eco-tycoons step right up for the chance to learn the tips and tricks of running a fashionable business with style with a Coffee Break with Laurie Foon.
Laurie Foon’s Starfish fashion label made its mark through thought-provoking ranges and campaigns with a community focus. Inspired to create fashion reflecting her values, Laurie designs ranges with locally manufactured fabrics where possible, and a strong environmental ethic. In 2007 Starfish was the first fashion label to win a New Zealand Sustainable Business Award.
By taking part in Oxfam's Biggest Coffee Break 2012 and bidding on Oxfam's Fair Trade Me auctions you will be given the chance to have a one-on-one mentoring session with Laurie, who’ll be happy to share her experiences running an eco-friendly, ethical company. The lucky auction winner will also receive an eco-bag full of Starfish goodies.
“Fairtrade keeps us connected and thinking about those that produce our clothes and food etc. We can't afford to be disconnected.” - Laurie Foon
Retail does not exist without the replenishment from the designers, and our cool little style capital is home to some exceptional designers. The range of output is stupendous. It covers all bases from the avant garde art-performance-garments of Hermione Flynn to the delightful inventions of Starfish and the fluid silhouettes from Philippa & Alice. These designers export: both their garments and their design stories. Many Wellington designers regularly show in the long-established fashion shows of Dunedin, Auckland, Melbourne and New York. Their works are featured in the international press, both magazines and online, and many overseas boutiques make room for a showing of local labels. Such international applause is not given to the sleepy.
For established and emerging designers, Wellington’s being home to Massey University’s fashion design school is simply treasure, and many well-known names like Alexandra Owen have been through their courses. The school’s curriculum, access to professionals in the trade, and its annual show more than hint that this part of the economy has weight. The fashion school pinpoints Wellington as a destination where things are happening -- a fact supremely buttressed by the city also being host to the World of WearableArt competition and extravaganza.
With temperatures dropping quickly and Summer now a distant memory the excitement of a new Winter wardrobe is setting in. But before we dig last seasons coats from the depths of our cupboards to check they are still on-style, here are 3 trends to help you fashionistas transition through seasons.
Now here is a trend that compliments pretty much everyone! Soft, chalky, sugar-coated shades that are perfect in-between seasons. Dekota Fanning shows us how mint and marshmallow can work in harmony, which mixed with dark jeans and boots helps to balance her look. Cameron Diaz does it a little different mixing pastel denim with neutral tones, making the pants really stand out.
The secret to rocking pastels is to layer together different shades!
We love the buzz...
Wellington plays centre stage for its first Fashion Week.
From Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 April, runway shows and networking events will see the energies of designers, retailers, promoters and media mix and sparkle. These will be brilliant days.
The major draw cards are the three designer shows. In total, three hours of vibrant runway. The collections of eighteen designers, from the hauntingly gorgeous Trelise Cooper through to the zesty emerging labels of Kelsey Genna and Silence Was, will exhibit with all the excitement of styling, lighting, hair, makeup and music. These shows will take place in the grand hall of the old museum building.
As well as these anchor shows, the Wellington Fashion Week crew have developed other events which will bookmark the event. A photo competition along Lambton Quay is a neat idea. A High Tea for designers and delegates will be a sumptuous platform for networking. A Couture Bridal capsule will highlight the best of design and fabrics, and a downloadable app is a savvy piece of technology for navigating your way through all the treasure.
Wellington Fashion Week will showcase the city, its great talent of designers and its superb range of shops and amenities.
We love the buzz of Wellington Fashion Week.
- Article by Terence Hodgson, Wellington Style TV
Bringing together the best of all things beautiful, classic and vintage inspired, Auckland will take a trip back to a more glamourous era at the Very Vintage Day Out. Alexandra Park will be transformed into a mecca for stylish ladies and dapper gents to peruse the fashion, home wares, trinkets and other delightful merchandise, while being amused and enthralled by vintage inspired entertainment. Mark April 14th in the diary for a jolly good time!“Whilst vintage culture has become increasingly popular and very much part of our mainstream lifestyle,” says Miss La Vida, Co-founder of the VVDO and burlesque performer. “There are few places where the public can go to find a variety of vintage style products, services and experiences all under the same roof. We’re delighted to be able to bring the vintage community together to create an event which allows lovers of vintage to mix and mingle with each other while showcasing the best of what’s on offer in New Zealand right now.” The event has been created by Miss La Vida and Miss T of Miss T Pinups, who not only excel in their professions within vintage culture, but also have a great passion for it.
In an intimate setting New Zealand fashion designer, Trelise Cooper, shares her views about living a passionate life where everything is in the detail.
With a growing retail and import/export fashion business, starting out in 1997 around her kitchen table to today having over 120 staff in New Zealand and Australia, Trelise Cooper tells us how she has made her visions come to life.
- Interview by Wellington Style TV
Even just a few late nights can leave you with dark circles and puffy bags. Imogen shares her top tips for disguising tired eyes.1. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep each night. While there’s plenty you can do to disguise tired eyes, the only thing that will really fix them is a really good night’s sleep. But, if being in bed by 10pm is a luxury you can’t afford; try these tips to bring the zing back to your eyes.2. Soak a couple of herbal tea bags in hot water then cool them in the fridge for 20 minutes or until they are cold. Place the teabags on your eyes and lie down for five minutes. Chamomile has many soothing properties and will reduce redness and puffiness. Green tea is another of my favourites, packed with antioxidants and a small amount of caffeine. Green tea stimulates blood flow to the eye area, sending those bags on their way while giving the eye area a much needed boost of topical antioxidants.
I was excited at the chance to interview Auckland based jewellery designer, Emmaline Bailey, the talent behind growing New Zealand jewellery label Bailey's Alchemy.
She talks about the inspiration behind her latest creations and what we have to look forward to in her growing career.
What lead you to begin to design jewellery?
After quitting my job in mid April last year, I decided to reconnect with my creative self as I had neglected it for so long. I started painting again and slowly began showing my work in cafes in the Auckland area. Painting alone wasn't enough to sustain me without getting a part-time job, so I started researching other options. I had got used to being my own boss and working at my own pace.
