Isaac likes his new sweaters

The new Isaac Likes Branded Sweaters

One of New Zealand's most successful fashion bloggers, Isaac, from Isaac Likes, has been dabbling in the sweater design scene since August last year. The result of his first design collaboration with Katherine Lowe was the infamous 'Shawty Wanna Thug?' sweater that sold like wild-fire. Now Isaac brings us his second sweater sporting the catchphrase 'Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts'.

With the new release comes a much-anticipated re-release of the 'Shawty Wanna Thug' sweaters, along with a new range of t-shirts sporting both catchphrases. These little pieces of joy are available exclusively at Area-51 or online at the all new Isaac Likes store. Prices start from $60, but be in quick as these gems wont be around for long!

Choice!

Mi Piaci embraces animal print

Mi Piaci's Yule Booties ($270)

Incase you've been living under a rock for the past two seasons, animal print is dominating the fashion scene right now. Everywhere we go an array of feline inspired fashion seems to yell 'buy me, buy me!'.

Although I have been weary of this trend up until now (personally I think it has been too overdone to remain classy), I can't help but LOVE these bad boys; the Yule booties by Mi Piaci. These beautiful booties are part of Mi Piaci's stunning winter collection, and are currently in-store for a mighty fine $270.

The babies have two sisters that you may also love; the Zed ($420) and the Jaimie ($330), both variations of this style. Check out the full collection on Mi Piaci's online store.

Holla!

Mary-Kate is Super Cool

So, I don't know how she does it ( well actually I do - a lot of money, a stylist and a serious love for fashion), but Mary-Kate Olsen has this amazing habit of looking super cool 24/7.

It seems that fashionistas all over the world can't get enough of MK's super duper style, with many fashion writers dubbing the young actress turned designer, a fashion 'icon'. If her killer sense of style wasn't enough, her collaborative fashion label 'The Row' is also turning heads all over the world. The label has been shown at New York fashion Week and received praise from numerous fashion writers.

'The Row' is definitely one to check out. It's seriously amazing. I suggest you visit their online store... right about now (ha ha). And while you're at it why don't you google some images of Mary-Kate Olsen. You will see what I mean, believe me.

Very, very cool!

Karen brings ballet into fashion

Illustrations of some of Karen Walker's designs for the Royal New Zealand Ballet

New Zealand icon and longtime fashion designer, Karen Walker, is well known for her ability to design effortlessly cool clothing, and for her unique fashion point of view. But when it was announced that Walker was going to design the costumes for the Royal New Zealand Ballet's production of 'Satisfied with Great Success' (part of the Stravinsky triple bill), Karen fans went into frenzies of excitement.

"What I loved about Stravinsky's original approach to ballet is that he casualised ballet by bring real clothes into it", Karen comments. "That idea of high/low and contrasts is very much in line with how we approach fashion, so we felt there were some parallels there that we wanted to work with."

It is clear that Walker drew inspiration for her designs from her current collection 'Perfect Day', with her modern gray and yellow 'tutu' (pictured above) closely resembling many of her current collections pieces - in both colour and style. The non-traditional style of her designs is a result of choreographer, Cameron McMillan, stating that for this ballet he did not want 'costuming'; but instead something modern, wearable and fresh. "He came to us because we're not costume designers" Walker explains. "My idea was to create a product that could live with ease, on and off the stage."

Performances of the Stravinsky triple bill started on May 20th and will go until June 9th. So far Karen fans have been thrilled with the show, many commenting that her modern designs seemed to make the ballet so modern, fresh and accessible. "I think a lot of the time ballet seems so inaccessible to the general public, as many think that it is reserved for the social elite of our communities" says Wellington dance teacher, Fiona Kent. "I really commend Karen for going where many designers never go and branching into costume design. It seems that people are going to see the show because they feel like they can since Karen's designing the costumes; especially fashion people. Society no longer responds to the snooty, intimidating environments of some traditional ballets. By making the costumes more casual, a wider variety of people are more likely to come and see the show. It's innovative really."

With two more cities to go, and numerous shows still to be performed, there is still plenty of time to see Karen Walkers designs on stage. Show and ticketing info is available at the Royal New Zealand Ballet website. Believe me, you wont be disappointed.

Good on you Karen!

Moochi loves bread and butter

A few pieces in Moochi's 'Bread and Butter' collection

Hands up if you're sick of the only warm thing in your closet being a super sexy pair of striped long-johns, that seem to be going a bit saggy in the bum! Ahhh, don't be ashamed, we're all in the same boat here. It seems that at times, the winter chill puts even the most dedicated fashion followers into a slightly more... relaxed mode (possibly and understatement ha ha). But winter will never be the same thanks to New Zealand brand, Moochi!

Moochi deserves high praise for their amazing collection of basics called 'Bread and Butter'. The collection includes a range of simple but beautiful tops made of New Zealand Merino that are perfect for the chilly New Zealand winter. The tops come in a long sleeve style and a singlet style, making them a versatile (and warm!) garment that will compliment any outfit . Colours are seasonally trendy, with current 'in' colours such as camels, grays, blacks and stripes all being utilised. Winter warmth no longer means looking heinous! Hooray!

Garments in Moochi's 'Bread and Butter' collection start from $109 and are available in stores or at their online store. While you're there, be sure to also check out the non-merino pieces in this collection, such as their famous viscose Lycra slips and leggings.

Ka Pai Moochi!

Good as Gold moves house

A sneak peak at the new GAG store

Good as Gold is well known by Wellington fashionistas as being one of the coolest little boutiques in town. And stocking brands such as twenty seven names, Therese Rawsthorne, Stolen Girlfriends Club and chronicles of never, it's easy to see why GAG has such a loyal following of fashion-loving customers.

The biggest news on the street this week is that Good as Gold has moved house! Yesterday they made the move from their well-known Victoria street store, to their brand new store on the corner of Victoria and Manners Streets. The official opening of the new store happened today at 12pm. Fashion-lovers from all over Wellington were spotted lingering around the store minutes before the grand unveiling, in hope of being one of the first few through the shiny new doors.

The new GAG store has enthusiastically been described by local fashionistas as 'SPECTACULAR!' And with three luscious levels, a super-cool decor, loads more space for new stock, and frigging awesome changing rooms (as seen above), it's easy to see why people are raving about GAG's new pad. And if you're not already convinced that you must go check out the new GAG store tomorrow or you will DIEEE, then try resisting a cool 20% of all shoes, sunnies and Cheap Monday jeans! But only until the end of tomorrow (Friday 27th)!

Good as!

Ruby's collection of nail polishes is amazing

Ruby's nail polish collection pictured in-store

If you're anything like me, New Zealand brand, Ruby, could bring out a line of toilet brushes and you'd buy one - simply because everything that they make tends to be flawlessly amazing. In case you haven't realised by now, yes I am an avid Ruby fan and I will freely admit to spending hour after glorious hour on Ruby's online shop (not to mention the amount of time I spend in their beautiful Wellington boutique).

So when I heard that Ruby were bringing out their very own collection of designer nail polish in March 2011 I was so excited, I could barely contain myself. And it seems that I'm not the only one who's loving the recently released Ruby nail polish! Small, colourful bottles have been seen flying off the shelves in Ruby Boutique stores all over the country for weeks now. It seems that Ruby lovers just can't get enough of Ruby's innovative nail colours and long lasting wear.

The range currently comes in ten amazing colours (as seen above) beautiful enough to tempt even the most loyal O.P.I user. I'm a big fan of the idea of just buying them all! But if I had to choose my favourites it would have to be Vampire (black), Soldier (beige) and Lilac Pop (light pink) - all seen above. At a tidy $19 a bottle it's never been cheaper to have the niftiest nails in town!

If you're now sold on these little bottles of gold as much as I am, get off your computer now and run to your nearest Ruby Boutique! Or if you live in the middle of nowhere (i.e. Hamilton) then never fear, you can purchase these at Ruby's online store www.rubynz.com (is it sad that I knew the website address off by heart? ha ha).

Fingers crossed for another release of new season colours soon!

fashion quarterly looks for the next BIG thing in fashion design

Jodie Webster, 2006 Winner

Fashion Quarterly's 'Young Designer of the Year' competition first started in 2006, and since then it has been giving aspiring, young, Kiwi designers a much needed chance to get noticed on the international fashion scene.

"It's not easy being a young designer in New Zealand", says third year Fashion Design student, Lara Lee. "It's cut-throat because there's so many young Kiwi's wanting to be the next big thing in New Zealand fashion. [But] the truth is that many young designers will never be able to make a living off being a fashion designer alone. A lot of young designers are forced to work regular day jobs and treat their design as a side project. It's really unfortunate, but just one of the realities of entering into such a competitive industry. Unfortunately the New Zealand fashion industry just isn't big enough for everybody to succeed, and sadly half the time it doesn't even matter how talented you are; it seems to be more about how lucky you are. It can be as simple as being in the right place at the right time. The exposure that a young designer would get from winning this competition would be invaluable in helping them to get noticed, not to mention the money!" Lara says with a laugh.

So what must I do to get this invaluable exposure?, you may ask. Well, entrants are asked to design a capsule collection of three pieces, of which one must be constructed and realised to a standard New Zealand size 10. The brief may seem slightly daunting, however there are no rules against using designs or garments that have been previously created for assignments (thank goodness for that!). As long as it is your own original work and it fits the brief, then pretty much anything goes.

For some however, not having the option to design garments for a male has put them off entering the competition. "I know a few guys from my classes that would have entered if they had have been given the chance to design something for a male." Lara admits. "But I guess, the female fashion industry is where the money is, overseas especially. It just tends to be more diverse because females are naturally more experimental with their fashion sense. I guess for this kind of competition, designing something for a female allows designers to have more options; creatively I mean".

The competition is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a fashion or textile design course in New Zealand, or graduates with no more than two years of industry experience. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to help launch their career, as well as exposure in Fashion Quarterly.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, especially if you've already got a library of your own designs and garments itching to be seen by industry professionals. I had a look at the designs of a few of the past winners (2006 winner seen above) to get an idea of what the general standard is, and was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity in what the judges considered to be a 'winning' piece. If you're unsure if you're designs are up to scratch I encourage you to just enter anyway. You never know what will catch the judges eye this year, and as Lotto has taught us - You've got to be in it to win it! (ha ha).

To enter email youngdesigner@fashionquarterly.co.nz for an entry form and conditions. Entries close Monday June 27, 2011.

Good luck!

make a turban

A cute homemade leather turban

In my last post, I blogged about the latest, greatest accessory on the fashion scene; the turban. One of my suggestions was that you could make your own, as I did. Below are some suggestions of where to find a really good turban 'recipe'.

1. The Moochi Autum 2011 catalogue has a feature that tells you how to make your own turban (this is the 'recipe' I based my turban on).

2. This person has just posted a how-to on facebook, but it's actually a really great method for a making a full turban that covers your entire head.

Link here

3. For the more visual among us, this is a youtube video by Thea Modette on how to create your own turban.

Link here

4. This is by far the easiest method for turban making that I have ever seen. It's a great one if you're not the best at sewing, or if trying to make a more intricate turban is confusing you.

Link here

After making your turban, try decorating it with beads, jewels or sequins. I actually ended up making two turbans and decorated one with faux pearls for night-time wear. It looks amazing and only cost me about $3 to make!

Enjoy!

turban

Prada, Spring 2011

When Prada sent their models stomping down the Spring 2007 runway sporting an array of Norma Desmond-worthy turbans, even Vogue's Sarah Mower admitted to being slightly confused at the emergence of a piece that had not been present in western fashion for almost 100 years. This full-on 1910's revival caught the attention of various designers, and come the Spring 2011 runway, turbans started popping up in the collections of almost every high-profile international designer (Jason Wu, Giorgio Armani, Andrew GN, and Vena Cava - Just to name a few).

International fashion icons Mary-Kate Olsen and Kate Moss have been spotted wearing turbans on more than one occasion, and celebrity stylist Jane Ambrose has even launched her own line of beautifully designed silk turbans. A little closer to home, Moochi's Autum 2011 collection features an amazing velvet turban (in stores for $49.95), and popular fashion website 'nzgirl' has dubbed the turban the hottest hair accessory for the coming months.

At this point, if you're not convinced that the turban is the most amazing thing since Ruby's 'Adventure Booties' then chances are you will never cross over to the turban loving dark-side. The cold, hard truth is that the turban isn't for everybody. In fact it really is reserved for the more fashion-adventurous of us. However, I can tell you one thing; Once you start wearing one you'll never want to take it off. Apart from it being a fashion-forward, on-trend accessory, turbans are also amazing bad-hair-day-fixers. In fact, I'm wearing mine with a white fluffy dressing gown and slippers as a write this (ha ha).

If you're not a fan of the Moochi turban but desperately want one for the coming winter months, I recommend visiting asos.com as they have some seriously amazing turbans right now. Glassons have also included a couple of ski-lodge-appropriate wooly turbans in their A/W 2011 collection that are worth checking out (in-store for $24.95). Another option would be to follow in my footsteps and make your own - it's actually relatively easy to do and very inexpensive (which is never a bad thing!).

Long live the turban!