Retail Therapy: Dress up party

A dress from Moochi's new range. Photo / Supplied

Moochi is having a party this Saturday to celebrate the start of the party season - and Moochi Dress Week. All Moochi stores will have a new collection of party dresses, as well as Champagne, nibbles and gift with purchase. M.A.C makeup artists will also be in store giving advice on the latest party makeup looks.

Absolutely fabulous footwear
Patsy and Eddy thought they were fabulous, and now they're available in New Zealand. Christian Lacroix's famous footwear designs are now stocked at Runway, including black patent pumps with bow detailing (which also come in white), and sexy peep toe pumps in red or black. Bring some French chic into your wardrobe now - Runway, Shop 17, 2-10 Nuffield Street, Newmarket, Auckland, Ph (09) 522 0808.

Shopping zone
Superette is expanding its empire with a new store on Ponsonby Rd. The new boutique, in the same block as Mei Mei, Adorno and Jaimie Boutique, will sell the majority of Superette's existing labels like Sass & Bide, Lover, Camilla and Marc and Shakuhachi, as well as new labels like Nudie Jeans. Ponsonby has been getting a bit of a fashion makeover of late, with Karen Walker opening her new boutique on the strip and Workshop set to open a new store on Mackelvie St in a couple of weeks. Superette Ponsonby, 282 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland.

Baby love
Botanical Babies is a new natural skincare range from the Nature Baby stores, which specialise in products to nurture mother, baby and the environment. There's six items in the range (including a lovely gift box), and prices start at $4.95 for a packaged soap which comes in four mixes including Lavender and Organic Manuka Honey. Organic almond oil is at the heart of the range which also includes Baby Massage Oil, Belly Stretch Oil, Mum's Butter, and Baby Bottom Balm made with infused botanical ingredients.

As Nature Baby founder and mother of three Georgia Faull explains, "baby skin is at least three times more sensitive and absorbent than adult skin. Too many skincare products contain a concoction of chemicals and unpronounceable synthetic compounds - we were obsessed with creating skin and body care that does not hinder the growth of healthy, beautiful skin." See www.naturebaby.co.nz.

Another option for pampering wee ones is the new to New Zealand Bridget Black boutique skincare range from Australia. It has an eight-product extension called Bridget Black Sheep for tots. To find out more see www.bridgetblack.co.nz.

Tipex your nails
Remember painting your nails with White Out? Well if you never did, here's your chance with O.P.I's new Matte collection in Alpine Snow. The flat white is one of a handful of favourite colours released in the currently fashionable matte formula. The colour doesn't last as long as a high-gloss, but it doesn't require a bottom or top coat either. O.P.I suggests trying a matte nail, with a glossy tip. Priced at $24.90.

Roll on relief
First came Garnier's successful (and well worth trying) roll-on under-eye gel, now it has used the same technology for pimple relief. The cooling roll-on is designed to help banish blemishes and contains salicylic acid and blueberry extract. It's part of the new Pure Active range for young, acne prone skin, which includes a scrub and a moisturiser. Priced to go in supermarkets.

Skin solutions
For skin that's no longer young and troubled but not quite ready for serious anti-ageing aid, RoC has released its new Hydra + Bio Active range in dry, oily and combination formulas. Each offers an Anti-Oxidant Bio-Moisturising Cream with SPF 15, ideal for daily use, at $45. The French brand is found in pharmacies.

For skin troubled by pigmentation or uneven tone, Clinique has introduced Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturiser, $99. It's for daily use and contains an SPF20 to prevent further skin darkening. (Brand counters)

New from Dr LeWinns is Medic, an allergy tested range in two lines for skin that is very dry/sensitive or troubled by acne. It's a gentle option for those who find normal ranges irritating. (From selected pharmacies.)

Sexy smalls
The Silk Drawer is holding a special sale to clear some space for new La Perla collections arriving soon. There will be up to 50 per cent off selected items, with all La Perla swimwear reduced. The sale runs until November 12 at their 44 Courthouse Lane store in Auckland. Ph (09) 358 5544.

The winner is...
Nicole Pollard has been announced as the overall winner of the Young Designer Awards, with a feather and satin outfit inspired by doves, ballet and military style clothing. Pollard, who also won first prize in the evening wear section, took out the the top award and won a Bernina Activa sewing machine and a five-day internship with a leading New Zealand fashion designer. Pollard, who attends Diocesan School, is only 15 - the overall award usually goes to older students.

Stitched up
Annah Stretton wants you to get crafty with your girlfriends, with her new DIY collection. The limited edition "stitch'n bitch" collection includes four garments complete with fabric, trims, easy-to-follow instructions and detailed coloured photos. The packs - which could be a great Christmas gift - are priced from $70 for a cami to $250 for a wrap dress. To get stitching and shopping now, visit www.stitchnbitch.co.nz.

Hot tip
Fancy a night of high glamour and fashion at the exclusive boutique hotel Mollies? Look in next week's Viva for details on how to buy tickets to what is bound to be one of the most fabulous fundraisers of the year.

Auckland gets preppy
Channel your inner preppy - or Margot Tenenbaum in a tennis dress - by visiting the new flagship Lacoste store on Queen St. When Viva visited earlier this week, the staff were rather aloof, but perhaps they are still settling in to their new premises. The store is part of the development of stores at the base of the new Deloitte building at 80 Queen St, which will also include branches of Ben Sherman, Rockport, North Face and more.

Smell me
Balenciaga is set to launch a new fragrance in February, with designer Nicolas Ghesquiere saying he was drawn to an unusual mix of smells for inspiration. Think floor wax, flowers and petrol. We can't wait to see how this one smells.

Wedding bells
Ivanka Trump was married recently, and wore a lovely custom-made Vera Wang dress. But not the typical strapless gown that every young bride wears these days - hers was a modest gown that featured lace sleeves. Sleeves! Wang told Cathy Horyn of the New York Times that Trump was "very much about being covered and I seized on the chance to do a dress that wasn't naked and very Hollywood". She hopes Trump's decision to not bare arms may spark a trend. "Nothing would make me happier. I've been doing strapless dresses for 15 years. It's tiring."