Retail Therapy: Shoes for charity

20th Century design on display at Art + Object. Photo / Supplied

The YWCA Future Leaders programme is holding its annual Shoe Exhibition and Auction on August 27, an evening of shoes, networking, canapes and fine wine. The evening will raise funds for the mentoring programme, with Kathryn Wilson's beautiful new season shoe collection up for auction. There will also be the opportunity to bid on a chance to have Wilson design and make a shoe just for you. Tickets to the evening at the Art Lounge in the New Gallery are $60. To buy tickets and for more information, visit www.akywca.org.nz.

Father figure
Treat your dad and yourself this Father's Day at Sunglass Hut. The eyewear store is celebrating dads until September 6 with a special offer - spend more than $200 on a pair of sunglasses for Dad and you'll receive a $50 voucher for yourself. 0800 607 895.

Prep talk
Slightly weird fashion news of the week: Harvard University has launched a fashion line. The Ivy League college is jumping on the preppy bandwagon with their Harvard Yard line, which features "short-sleeve plaid shirts, Liberty print wovens, seersucker shorts, regimental stripes, sporty knits, patterned jackets and fancy pants - all in a contemporary, tapered fit," according to WWD.com.

Model mum
Do you have what it takes to be Egg Maternity's next top model? The maternity label is once again holding a model search for Australasia's hottest mum to be, with the winner being the poster girl for their All Seasons Winter 2010 catalogue and advertising. The winner will also receive a $1000 Egg wardrobe and images from the photo shoot. Women who are between six and eight-and-a-half months pregnant at October 31 are eligible to enter, by completing an entry form available from all EGG stores or stockists. Entries close September 28. For more information visit www.eggmaternity.com.

Furniture auction
Art+Object is holding an auction on August 20 of 20th century design and furniture, including ceramics, glass, lighting, collectables and other modernist furniture. The auction will include three New Zealand design classics - a Garth Chester chair, a rare Bob Roukema chair from the 1950s and a Curvesse homage by Greg Smith. For more information visit www.artandobject.co.nz.

Raceday fashion
Get your best winter race day fashions ready for the Revlon Fields of Fashion, as part of the Pakuranga Hunt Cup this Saturday at Ellerslie Racecourse. A "Fashion Village" will be set up in the Newmarket Room of the convention centre, with competition registration opening at 1.30pm. Categories include best dressed (18 years and over), best hat, best dressed (under 18 years) and most creative. Prizes include luxury Revlon cosmetic packages, a Porsche Boxster, a dinner weekend package, an Audi TT plus, a VW Eos, as well as footloose boots, a silver necklace from Cambridge Collection, Verge sportswear, Ooby Ryn accessories and Kingan-Jones fashion accessories.

Fabulous at the museum
From August 21 the Auckland Museum starts "Fabulous Fridays", offering visitors the chance to discover new craft skills and ignite their imagination. The programme is part of the Wonderland: The Mystery of the Orchid and The Magic of the Rose exhibitions, and features experts and artisans giving presentations on flower arranging, personalising paper, cake decorating, gift wrapping, creating fragrances and more. There will be a special panel discussion moderated by Maggie Barry on Friday August 21 to launch the programme, with gardening experts including Jack Hobbs, Xanthe White and Alf Days. Tickets to sessions start at $12; for more information visit www.aucklandmuseum.com or phone 09 306 7048.