Retail Therapy: Fashion in the window

Barkers new and exclusive line. Photo / Supplied

If you're in Newmarket this week, keep an eye out for some especially fashionably dressed mannequins and displays in the windows of key boutiques. Year four fashion students from Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design will be displaying outfits from their collections in the windows of Kevin Berkhan, Taylor Boutique, Saks, Storm, Occhiali, Muse, Allium and Nicholson. The mannequins and displays are part of an annual competition where students show off their skills of visual communication.

Around the World

Following on from their new menswear store in Auckland, World are continuing to spread their unique style around the country by opening a new store in Christchurch. The boutique, on the corner of High and Lichfield Streets, currently stocks men's and women's pieces from the winter 2009 collection, 'There is No Depression in New Zealand', as well as an eclectic range of accessories, beauty products, books and other goodies. 188 High St, Christchurch, ph (03) 365 7937.

Musical chairs

The Britomart precinct has welcomed a new fashion store, with Michelle Yvette moving into the space next to boutique Made. The space used to house Store Room, which has moved to a bigger space on the corner where Gubb & Mackie used to be. Michelle Yvette, 30 Customs St Auckland, ph (09) 366 0803.

Back to black

Barkers have created a new and exclusive line that will soon be seen on the backs of the All Blacks. The Barkers Black line, which is available from Barkers stores and online, features a suit, wool coat, merino sweaters and a range of shirts. All Blacks Josevata Rokocoko, Anthony Boric and Richard Kahui feature in the campaign for the collection, which is priced from $150 for a sweater and goes up to $530 for a suit jacket.

Extreme makeover

Sunglass Hut's Queen Street store has had a makeover. The store, which reopened last week, now features a new global store design with a sleek and modern interior that displays eyewear collections from the likes of Prada, Ray-Ban and more. Sunglasses are on open shelves, which makes it a lot easier for customers to try on a range of styles. And the best part? They currently have 50 per cent off selected items, as part of the winter sale. But get in quick, the sale finishes on June 28. Sunglass Hut, 62 Queen Street, Auckland.

Womanly wipes

Feminine hygiene products are big in some markets, where an obsession with neutralising any body odours are more common than here. New Zealanders tend to have a natural, leave-alone policy, plus we're frequent bathers, so marketing such items locally is tricky, though at Viva we've had several approaches and are told intimate wipes are useful for menopausal women who perspire heavily and in the beauty industry where they are sometimes used to wipe down before waxing. They could also be helpful for travellers unsure when they'll be able to bathe. So, in the interests of keeping you informed of what's out there, that's where Summers Eve wipes and wash come in. $13.50 from selected pharmacies.

Future Leaders

A fundraiser for Future Leaders - a four-year mentoring programme designed to change young women's lives - is to be held at the uber-cool Wunderkammer store. Organised by the YWCA, Petra Bagust will MC, there will be live music, and the chance to bid for prizes including nights at Mollie's boutique hotel and items from Commes des Garcons, Trelise Cooper and Caroline Sills (left). Limited tickets $80. Go to www.akywca.org.nz