KEY POINTS:
A Monarch dress by local label Cybele was spotted in the shopping bags of Hollywood A-list actress Kate Hudson last weekend. Hudson was shopping at the new Elizabeth Charles store in San Francisco. The delightful and modest Charles is a regular at New Zealand Fashion Week because she specialises in clothes from Australian and New Zealand designers. Hudson walked out with several Antipodean garments, including Lover, Kirrily Johnston and our very own Cybele.
Shop, shop, shop
A trio of new stores have opened in Auckland. In the Three Lamps part of Ponsonby long-time purveyor of fancy sheets and other linens, Chambers, has just opened a new homewares store. There the elegant and luxurious vibe of their first store translates to pretty vases, mirrors, tableware and other items.
Also in this area is Arabesque, a treasure trove of the beaded, the bejewelled and the otherwise ethnic inspired.
Possibly even more exciting is the recent opening of Auckland's very first Camper shoe store. This Spanish-based shoemaker puts together funky, comfortable shoes in environmentally and worker-friendly ways and their boutique, now in Newmarket, incorporates a sort of eco-friendly design. The furniture is rough and ready and wall decoration is provided by the customers themselves, who are encouraged to write their thoughts onto the store's walls. So if you're not going there for some of the simpler, more fashion-conscious shoe shapes, you'll want to visit just so you can write on the walls of a Newmarket shop.
Trumped!
Trump Model Management is sending one of its people to the Cadbury Dream Model Search for the July 5 final. Not The Don himself, but director of scouting and development Duane Gazi will be a guest judge. The agency is offering the winner a one-year contract with Trump Model Management, a round-trip airfare and accommodation in New York on top of the other prizes. The agency has Vogue regular Lisa Cant and actress/model Isabella Rossellini on its books.
Slouching around
Anyone looking to give the trendy "boyfriend jeans" a whirl - slouchy can be so much easier than skinny leg jeans - should look no further than the new Levi's 501s. The denim giant has just released a series of their ever popular, straight-legged, button-fly shape in a range of new denims to coincide with their Stay True advertising campaign.
Be in the pink
Breast cancer affects New Zealand women regardless of age, race or demographic - which is why the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is one of fashion's favourite charities. On July 13, the In the Pink fashion fundraiser show takes place at SkyCity. Garments will be paraded by labels including Zambesi, Liz Mitchell and Caroline Church, and there will be live music. Tickets cost $98 each and are available from the foundation on (09) 523 4399.
Goodies galore
Also coming up quickly, on June 15, is the ritzy Fire And Ice ball, which has ladies who lunch and other fancy folks rushing to the frock shops every year. The ball, which benefits the Breast Cancer Research Trust, will feature celebrity hosts, dancers, a mystery guest from Las Vegas and an auction of outstanding goodies such as a holiday in Queenstown and a brand new Peugeot. There will also be prizes for the best-dressed individuals at the event.
Tickets cost $220 each and are available from bcrt@etconline.co.nz or ph (09) 845-5603.
