Retail Therapy: New shoes

World Aotearoa red ribbon. Photo / NZ Herald

Scarpa have welcomed Italian shoe brand Superga to New Zealand. The classic and casual plimsoll was first launched in 1925, and has been worn by the likes of Ashley Olsen, Kristen Stewart, Katie Holmes and Heidi Klum. Scarpa stores have a range of colours available for summer, including black, red, white, pale pink and turquoise - and they have a range of colourful laces so you can customise your sneakers.

Ice cold

The fashion and food worlds have collided with a new collaboration between young designer Michelle Yvette and Kapiti Icecream. They have teamed up to release a three-piece range of single serve products - the first time the local icecream has been available in single serves. Yum! New products available include a chocolate dipped vanilla creme stick, a chocolate dipped boysenberry stick and a decadent chocolate cup, and are priced from $3.50.

There are also one-litre tubs available, in new packaging inspired by Yvette. The products are available at petrol stations, dairies and supermarkets.

Sale time

Stitch Ministry is holding a garage sale until Saturday November 28 at its Onehunga store, with jackets from $80, dresses for $60, skirts and pants for $40 and tops for $30. There will also be fabric for sale, and $10 and $20 bargain bins. 42a Galway St, Onehunga.

Christmas party

Teed St shops will stay open late tomorrow night (November 26) to kick off the Christmas shopping season, with live bands and VIP shopping from 5.30- 8pm. This is the third year of the event, which gets bigger each year. Stores taking part this year include Taylor, Isabel Harris, Moochi, Ruby, Storm, Andrea Moore, Angela Lewis, Allium and more.

Wear the ribbon

Next Tuesday is World Aids Day and several fashion and beauty businesses are lending their support for fundraising to curb the spread of the disease. You can, too, by donating at the Aids Foundation street collection this Friday or wearing a red ribbon on the day. M.A.C makeup artists will be among volunteers collecting. World stores are selling a special Aotearoa red ribbon for $75, with $10 going to benefit prevention efforts. HIV diagnoses in New Zealand last year were at a record high, meaning the fight is as relevant now as ever.

The badge has a history, it's a re-release of one made by the fashion house 20 years ago. The red ribbon campaign was the first of a number of charity campaigns to adopt ribbons as their symbol, with the colour chosen because of its "connection to blood and the idea of passion - not only anger, but love, like a valentine."

M.A.C stores will be collecting for the cause on counter until December 2 and year-round all proceeds from sales of Viva Glam products go to Aids/HIV charities. The company is also presenting a cheque for $21,000 to Body Positive to go towards the free rapid HIV testing campaign. To learn more go to nzaf.org.nz.

Colour only

Specialist hair colour salon Hue has opened a new outlet, this one in Balmoral, bringing to the number of salons that Jenny Aitken has started in around 18 months to three. With a vision for delivering a speedy, specialist, well-priced service (no cuts, no blowdrys, though clients can do their own), Hue has found a receptive market in Mt Eden, Ponsonby and now at 239 Balmoral Rd, Ph (09) 846 2255.

Ponsonby pop-up

Style Direct has returned to Ponsonby, and is back on the strip at 95A Ponsonby Rd, next to Texan Art Schools. The homewares store is smaller than its former permanent home next to Prego, but it's a welcome return in time for Christmas after a pop-up tour of the suburbs. No word on whether this store will stay, but expect plenty of good value giftware, including lights, cushions and lamps.

Treatment plus

Dermalogica has a great deal this month, with customers booking in for a 60-minute $120 treatment getting a free 20-minute micro-zone treatment and an individually prescribed five-piece take home skin kit, together valued at $150. The deal must be booked in advance at Dermalogica's flagship store, Westfield Albany. Ph (09) 414-0202. dermalogica.co.nz

Best tressed

A blowdry is a great way to look good for a big date. Most salons offer this as a stand-alone service if you just want a spruce-up, so ask your stylist what they can do for you. One of the best value professional blow waves we've come across is the Wash, Blow and Go at $30 from Morgan & Morgan in Takapuna.

Egg heads to Albany

Egg Maternity have opened their biggest store, in Albany. Located in Northridge Plaza, it opened last week with special offers including pink ribbon bargains - all stock with a pink ribbon is 50 per cent off.