Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Seconds of Style #51: Slippers Fit for a Queen
My first job in London was working for leather footwear and accessory designer, Penelope Chilvers. Her designs are always very unique and follow her passion for the quirky and surprising and often reference the time she spent living in Spain. The latest offering from Penelope are these absolutely sumptuous Dandy Velvet Slippers. The colours are rich and the monograms fit for royalty. They have a very clever bespoke service where you can choose your size, velvet colour, trim colour and monogram. These slippers are definitely not the indoor kind. Simply divine!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Seconds of Style #50: Going it Alone
This post is a bit of shameless self promotion. I've recently started freelancing, doing what I love and what I do - running retail websites. I'm working with Andrea Moore who is both lovely and enthusiastic about growing her online business and I am about to begin writing for a retail style blog. I'm on the hunt for more retailers to work with so please spread the word! I've just built myself a simple little website and named myself Fisk Marketing. Why Fisk? Fisk in other languages means fish. Fish in Greco-Roman mythology symbolised change and transformation, it is also my darling and inspiring Mothers maiden name. It is incredibly rewarding to give something the love and attention it needs and then to watch it as it grows and succeeds. There is also something completely scary about going it alone, but I'm doing it anyway!
Check me out: www.fiskmarketing.co.nz
Check me out: www.fiskmarketing.co.nz
Monday, September 12, 2011
Seconds of Style #49: Puma Social Club - Video Arcade with Cocktails
I felt like I spent Saturday night in a different country. As I stepped out of the cab into Wynyard Quarter, the city felt far more metropolitan than I have come to expect of Auckland. The bars with their rustic-chic boat shed feel and open waterfront view, stretched along a softly lit esplanade that buzzed with people and life. The area feels 'cool' and not in a "we're so desperate for something new in Auckland that we'll take anything" kind of way. Downtown Auckland finally feels like a space to proud of.
Feeling excited about the city's newness, I was upping the expectation level in my mind as we headed across the road to the PUMA Social Club. I was not disappointed. As we got closer to the warehouse that houses the PUMA Social Club and steped inside, the space opened up into a pinball shooting, beer pong playing, air hockey slamming, fast food frying, ring-a-ding-dinging entertainment paradise for adults.
The PUMA Social Club is essentially a video arcade with cocktails. No frozen coke on the menu here. Guests were served Jägermeister mules, Red Bull mixes and Mojo Fizz. Burger Fuel served up mini Chook Royals, Pumpkin Koftas and Spud Fries with Aioli.
The Sweet Mix Kids played nostalgic tunes mixed with modern beats in perfect harmony with the arcade bells and whistles. The ping pong tables were a huge hit, as was the beer pong - which I now realise is an art form - and the deer hunting game in the Jägermeister corner.
Open to the public as of this Thursday, Sep 15th, entry is free. I highly recommend you check it out, it's fun, it's new and it's in our City!
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.puma.com/social/events/puma-social-club-new-zealand-917
Feeling excited about the city's newness, I was upping the expectation level in my mind as we headed across the road to the PUMA Social Club. I was not disappointed. As we got closer to the warehouse that houses the PUMA Social Club and steped inside, the space opened up into a pinball shooting, beer pong playing, air hockey slamming, fast food frying, ring-a-ding-dinging entertainment paradise for adults.
The PUMA Social Club is essentially a video arcade with cocktails. No frozen coke on the menu here. Guests were served Jägermeister mules, Red Bull mixes and Mojo Fizz. Burger Fuel served up mini Chook Royals, Pumpkin Koftas and Spud Fries with Aioli.
The Sweet Mix Kids played nostalgic tunes mixed with modern beats in perfect harmony with the arcade bells and whistles. The ping pong tables were a huge hit, as was the beer pong - which I now realise is an art form - and the deer hunting game in the Jägermeister corner.
Open to the public as of this Thursday, Sep 15th, entry is free. I highly recommend you check it out, it's fun, it's new and it's in our City!
FOR MORE INFO: http://www.puma.com/social/events/puma-social-club-new-zealand-917
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| Jägermeister Corner - Stag Head on a living wall |
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| Beer Pong - Not as easy as it looks |
Monday, September 5, 2011
Seconds of Style #48: Kathryn Wilson, NZFW11
My friend and I turned up at the Viaduct Events center for the World Show/Next Top Model Finale on Friday evening, looking like cats that had got the cream. We had our heels on, our bright lips, our glasses of bubbles, our camera's in waiting. We thought we were so fashion, part of an elite group of people lucky enough to have tickets to the televised show and one of the most anticipated events of NZFW11. Well the grins were wiped off as quick as CLR will remove limescale after we missed the call for GA tickets and got shut out of the show. No amount of pleading would change the minds of the 8 feet tall, growling, teeth gnashing bouncers. We were not alone either, I heard one woman say "but my daughter is in the show". Poor love. So after hanging our heads in shame for a few minutes we decided to laugh about it instead of cry. We dubbed ourselves 'the fools of fashion week' and decided that this mishap might have been even better than the show!
Lucky for us, 'the fools of fashion week' have friends in high-ish places, these friends just happened to see us wandering off to the nearest bar in Wynyard Quarter, and these friends happened to have a couple of spare seated tickets to the Kathryn Wilson show! So off we went, grinning once more. This time we made it in.
The big old space at Shed 12, Rhubarb Lane, was buzzing when we arrived. The show had been opened up to a public audience of 3,000. A first for NZFW and a first for many ecstatic punters.
The Show began with a mini doco that followed Kathryn in her lead up to Fashion Week and gave the audience a behind the scenes look at the designer. Filmed in that 'How to Make it in America' kind of way, the film actually painted a really lovely portrait of the designer. She came across as relaxed, fresh, down to earth and hard working.
The U catwalk was covered in gold glitter that kicked up as the lingerie clad models stomped down it. The shoes were big and bold. They were solid and tough. The pallet was mostly monochrome with some jewel tones popping up occasionally. The textures were varied and many. Snake, velvet, tweed, fur, sheepskin and suede.
It was great to see public faces like Penny Pickard and last years NZ Top Model Winner Danielle Hays on the runway and Kathryn overall gave a memorable show for her customers and fans.
Lucky for us, 'the fools of fashion week' have friends in high-ish places, these friends just happened to see us wandering off to the nearest bar in Wynyard Quarter, and these friends happened to have a couple of spare seated tickets to the Kathryn Wilson show! So off we went, grinning once more. This time we made it in.
The big old space at Shed 12, Rhubarb Lane, was buzzing when we arrived. The show had been opened up to a public audience of 3,000. A first for NZFW and a first for many ecstatic punters.
The Show began with a mini doco that followed Kathryn in her lead up to Fashion Week and gave the audience a behind the scenes look at the designer. Filmed in that 'How to Make it in America' kind of way, the film actually painted a really lovely portrait of the designer. She came across as relaxed, fresh, down to earth and hard working.
The U catwalk was covered in gold glitter that kicked up as the lingerie clad models stomped down it. The shoes were big and bold. They were solid and tough. The pallet was mostly monochrome with some jewel tones popping up occasionally. The textures were varied and many. Snake, velvet, tweed, fur, sheepskin and suede.
It was great to see public faces like Penny Pickard and last years NZ Top Model Winner Danielle Hays on the runway and Kathryn overall gave a memorable show for her customers and fans.
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| Stills from the opening video |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| Photo by Max Lemeshenko from www.snapstar.co.nz |
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| The Venue |
Friday, September 2, 2011
Seconds of Style #47: Adoring Alice
I am in love with Alice McCall's SS11 collection. I am certain this collection was designed with me in mind. The powdery colours and delicate doily like cut outs mixed with romantic florals pretty much sums up fashion heaven for me. Some favorites below.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Seconds of Style #46: Andrea Moore, The Magic of Midnight
Another 'working' show for me was Andrea Moore's 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'. Having helped in house with the show I still hadn't seen the collection (except for a sneaky peak at the feather dress the day before) until it snaked down the runway yesterday.
You were immediately struck by the colours, rich, regal, bold and signature Moore. Then came the fabrics. I found this collection to be incredibly textural and even from the back you could almost feel the light brush of the feathers and cool slick of the python skin belts. The possum furs that adorned the long necks of model after model were decadent and a new school take on old school glamour.
The stand out pieces for me were the purple wrap dress and everything in velvet.
The collection as a whole was very pulled together. It was tight in a way that only an experienced designer can create. A pleasure to watch and a pleasure to be a part of.
You were immediately struck by the colours, rich, regal, bold and signature Moore. Then came the fabrics. I found this collection to be incredibly textural and even from the back you could almost feel the light brush of the feathers and cool slick of the python skin belts. The possum furs that adorned the long necks of model after model were decadent and a new school take on old school glamour.
The stand out pieces for me were the purple wrap dress and everything in velvet.
The collection as a whole was very pulled together. It was tight in a way that only an experienced designer can create. A pleasure to watch and a pleasure to be a part of.
Seconds of Style #45: My Very First Fashion Week
I'm not going to pretend to be all cool and nonchalant about the opening day of NZ fashion Week - not only was it the opening day but it was my first time on the 'inside', and I was deep on the inside, so deep in fact I was backstage for most of the day covered in a stressed out sheen of sweat!
The first show of the day was Ingrid Starnes. There was a subtle buzz of excitement backstage when I arrived at 9am to help. The Starnes/Pound team were taking it in their stride, the models were all a little giddy as they prepared for their first walk down the runway for NZFW 2011 and the Fashion Week Crew were all deadly focused on producing a flawless first show. Which indeed it was.
The botanical wonders hanging at the back of the catwalk were a genious instillation by Xanthe White and set the tone perfectly for the playful and slightly dream like feel of the show. I watched it on the monitor from backstage (which is why I only have a couple of photo's) as I helped slip models into delicate lace bustiers and candy coloured silk. The soundtrack was perfect and the styling divine in it's simplicity. The stand out colours in the range were unique and not trend driven and felt like a breath of fresh air.
Mt favorite piece in the collection - the Cape Dress in Cranberry - is reminiscent of the 70's in it's rich tone and draping cape neckline. The demure length and light-as-air silk georgette give it an uncomplicated sexiness.
I think that's the thing with Ingrid Starnes, nothing feels like it is trying, it's all genuine and authentic, just like the woman behind the clothes.
The first show of the day was Ingrid Starnes. There was a subtle buzz of excitement backstage when I arrived at 9am to help. The Starnes/Pound team were taking it in their stride, the models were all a little giddy as they prepared for their first walk down the runway for NZFW 2011 and the Fashion Week Crew were all deadly focused on producing a flawless first show. Which indeed it was.
The botanical wonders hanging at the back of the catwalk were a genious instillation by Xanthe White and set the tone perfectly for the playful and slightly dream like feel of the show. I watched it on the monitor from backstage (which is why I only have a couple of photo's) as I helped slip models into delicate lace bustiers and candy coloured silk. The soundtrack was perfect and the styling divine in it's simplicity. The stand out colours in the range were unique and not trend driven and felt like a breath of fresh air.
Mt favorite piece in the collection - the Cape Dress in Cranberry - is reminiscent of the 70's in it's rich tone and draping cape neckline. The demure length and light-as-air silk georgette give it an uncomplicated sexiness.
I think that's the thing with Ingrid Starnes, nothing feels like it is trying, it's all genuine and authentic, just like the woman behind the clothes.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Seconds of Style #44: Cinemagraph
Firstly I'd like to acknowledge that I didn't make it to the end of the alphabet. 'M', I didn't make it as far as you and I'm sorry.
Secondly, I'd like to share a website that my darling partner in crime stumbled across last night, Cinemagraph. As explained by Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck on their website, "A Cinemagraph is an image that contains within itself a living moment that allows a glimpse of time to be experienced and preserved endlessly. To quote supermodel Coco Rocha "it's more than a photo but not quite a video"."
The Cinemagraph is alluring and intoxicating. The beauty of stillness and motion colliding makes the viewing experience visceral.
Check out Cinemagraph, it really won't leave you wanting!
Secondly, I'd like to share a website that my darling partner in crime stumbled across last night, Cinemagraph. As explained by Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck on their website, "A Cinemagraph is an image that contains within itself a living moment that allows a glimpse of time to be experienced and preserved endlessly. To quote supermodel Coco Rocha "it's more than a photo but not quite a video"."
The Cinemagraph is alluring and intoxicating. The beauty of stillness and motion colliding makes the viewing experience visceral.
Check out Cinemagraph, it really won't leave you wanting!
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