SECONDS OF STYLE: Shopping

Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts

Monday, May 23, 2011

Seconds of Style #43: Le Faire: Browsing the Virtual Racks

Online shopping is no new concept but the NZ fashion industry seemed to be a little slow of the mark in realising the potential of this retail domain. This is all about to change. Not a day goes by lately that I don't stumble across a new online boutique or see a NZ designer make the move from online lookbook to online store. Online retail in NZ is growing by the day and coming with it are slick visual online magazines, designer diaries, backstage fashion show coverage and competitions galore. A little online boutique that I stumbled across recently is Le Faire. With a host of designers like Blak, Evil Twin and Twenty Seven Names plus some online exclusives, Le Faire might be on its way to becoming a very big online boutique. Get clicking!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Seconds of Style #42: Karen Walker Raises the Flag

The flagship store has been a standard concept in international retail for years. For me, Topshop on Oxford St in Central London is the epitome of flagship - the collections are the most current, there is more to shop than just own brand and the retail experience is interactive.With the recent opening of Glassons' Flagship on Broadway and Karen Walkers fresh new Flagship store, Playpark, on Nuffield St, I am thrilled that this concept is being explored in NZ. Karen Walker opened her extended Newmarket space yesterday, it houses Karen Walker label of course, a selection of Topshop clothing, footwear and cosmetics, Hunter Wellington Boots and more. The feel is a bit boutique and a bit department store. There is plenty for the eye to wander across and although it's not quite Topshop flagship a leap has been made and for an Auckland girl, it's exciting!

My favorite Karen Walker collection to date

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Seconds of Style #34: Let ME Eat Cake

They say you should write about what you know, well I can safely say that I know cupcakes. I know them on a global level. I hunted down Magnolia Bakery when I was in New York and lived in Bayswater, London - which may or may not have been because of the areas proximity to The Hummingbird Bakery. I know why butter cream frosting always beats out cream cheese and that the most important element to a cupcake is not the icing but the fluffiness of the cake which allows the icing to melt in your mouth. Yes, I know cupcakes. So when I was walking past Witchery in Ponsonby the other day and spotted the glorious Petal Cafe I was transported to all those delightful Saturday mornings in Notting Hill, happily stuffing my face with cake. I had given up the dream that this very particular type of fluffy butter frosted cupcake would make to NZ but thanks to Petal, my sugar high dreams have all come true! Basically, WOW, I'm not kidding. Get your self into one of Petal's stores now. You won't be disappointed - but you may be a little fidgety for an hour.

The sweet Petal cupcake purse!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Seconds of Style #33: Blak is the new Black

Cult New Zealand label Blak goes from strength to strength each season with their signature 'Basics' range and more designed collection 'Luxe'. Known for easy to wear shapes, and urban bohemian feel, Theresa Hodges is well on her way to carving a space for herself in NZ fashion royalty. Her Summer 2011 Collection (images borrowed from the lovely blog over on le-faire.com) is modern and graceful. Shapes move from wistful to strong and colours evoke hazy days of a 70's summer. Highlights are definitely the dip dyed shirt dress, bright lace shirts and girly ditsy prints.

Photo's by Olivia Hemus

Monday, May 9, 2011

Seconds of Style #32: The Alphabet Begins with the Letter A

Since I have been so neglectful of this blog for the last few months I have issued myself a challenge, 26 posts in 26 days - one day for each letter of the alphabet. I know this is not reinventing the wheel but I think it might be fun! I will mostly focus on NZ and AU fashion/design/ but some international gems and other bits and pieces might slip in. So here we go...

A is for Andrea Moore

Andrea Moore is a bit of a dark horse. With a firmly established and respected presence in NZ fashion, she goes under the radar somewhat. There is less of the 'loud advertising' approach and more of the 'educated, sophisticated and meticulously constructed collections' approach. I popped into her Ponsonby boutique last week and was carried away by the deep, rich colours, intricate construction details and clean cuts. I particularly loved her Camel Coats.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Seconds of Style #30: For Your Walls Only

So I have been on a bit of a hiatus from the blogging world due to a very demanding job with a NZ designer, but I have a bit more free time now so I'm back! I stumbled across some of these art works when I was doing some research for work and had to share them (there may be a bit of an animal theme). I love how accessible art is these days and how varied, intelligent and interesting it is. Again, these are all from Etsy, the perfect place for original, one-of-a-kind things!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Seconds of Style #29: The Secret Life of Silk & Lace

There is a big trend towards soft, romantic 70's style lingerie at the moment, and I for one am a big fan. Nothing makes you feel more feminine than a bit of silk and lace expertly placed under a sheer top or draping dress. Underwear as outerwear has been a prevalent trend for a few seasons now with bustiers and high waist nickers floating down national and international runways. The choice out there for 'designer underwear' is getting silkier, lacier, prettier and more intricate each season. Make sure if you work this trend to choose something specifically made to be seen though!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Seconds of Style #27: Auckland Antiques and Collectables Fair

I popped along to the Antiques and Collectables Fair in Mt Eden a few weeks ago and was in heaven once again! I loved the Retro Fair back in November but my taste is definitely more antique than retro so on stepping inside the hall my eyes lit up with delight. There was loads of glittering antique jewellery, beautiful etched glassware, original toys full of history and colourful crockery as far as the eye could see. I picked up a four strand gold necklace that I have worn nearly everyday since the fair, I'll pop some pictures up of it tomorrow. I really loved all the antique toys, I think the detail and materials are completely superior to whats on the market today. I'm not sure when the next fair is but as soon as I know I'll make sure to post the info.

Art Deco Ornament from Ritzy Bitz

True Glamour: Vintage engagement rings

Antique Fur Monkey

Friday, December 10, 2010

Seconds of Style #25: The Wonderful World of Etsy

If you don't already know about Etsy then you are seriously going to thank me for this post. Etsy is an online community of Handmade and Vintage stores. It is a place to get lost for hours, find every beautiful little thing your heart desires and support new talent and small businesses. Etsy is a five year old American founded company with a desire for the world to "Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade". There are Etsy traders in over 150 countries with hundreds of thousands of sales made every month. So, this month I thought I would take my obsession with collecting vintage clothing and accessories to a new level - I have officially opened my own Etsy store! I am so excited about this and now have a legitimate reason to spend all day trawling through hidden away second hand stores. Below are a few of my favorite Etsy finds of the day and a little selection from my Etsy store, aptly named Seconds of Style. It might be a little late for International Christmas delivery but there is always post Christmas money to be spent. Happy shopping!