| I've just got back from the Lucire magazine 5th birthday in Auckland. I met the lovely Jack Yan, who is not only behind a gloabl fashion portal, and a famous font designer, he is also an activist for ethical business. Something we need more of these days. |  |
New Zealand Fashion week kicks off tomorrow. I had front row seats last year and sat next to Tracy Strange from Style Magazine. I saw Hilary Alexander, head fashionista at the UK Telegraph, running between shows in her Sabatini Ugg Boots with customised fur trim. You've got to admire a fashion writer who has the balls to run around wearing uber-comfy Uggs, while everyone else is mincing around in heels.
Kiwi design is fantastic - funky, individual pieces that you can wear anywhere. I've been drooling over labels like Zambesi, NomD, DNA, Robin Jones, Sabatini, International Play Girl, and the knitwear from Insidious Fix ever since I saw the shows. Like the Kiwi Fashpack I prefer a mix of handmade, designer and pre-loved second hand. Kiwi Op Shops [Opportunity Shops] are fantastic and the further south of Auckland you go the cheaper they get. It's like a sartorial lucky dip as you never know what treasures you are going to find.
My favourite place for chain store buys is Dressmart in Auckland's Onehunga. All the usual high street brands but they're all clearance and sale shops. Then on Onehunga Mall [which is actually a road] there is a little haberdashery shop that's a big secret in the fashion world. It's full of decadent fabrics, gorgeous trims and a trove of textile treasures in a room out back. I love customising, or making clothes. You end up with your own designer limited editions - once offs that are completely unique.
