KEY POINTS:
When you're next in Taiwan you'll be able to pick up some Karen Walker from her new stand-alone store in the Mitsukoshi department store complex, before getting something from others such as Sonia Rykiel, Vanessa Bruno and Pringle.
This is her first flagship store outside New Zealand and the first of many the designer has planned as part of her "long term growth strategy in the region". She's on fire right now after scooping Australian magazine Marie Claire's Prix de Marie Claire Best Creative Talent Award last month. Editor Jackie Frank says "Karen Walker is incredible when you look at what she has achieved in such a short amount of time."
Born to be flexible
Natural parenting and baby centre, Born, has just opened in Remuera. Besides stocking eco-friendly and ethical items of baby and pregnancy gear, it will incorporate a health store, Elementa, where mothers can get health supplements and toddlers can engage in things like yoga for the first time. For more call, (09)522 400.
Mission to Moscow
"Zdravstvuite Russia!" That's what local designer Elisabeth Findlay has been practising saying (it means "Hello Russia!") as her label, Zambesi, now has a major presence in Moscow. When Russian emigre to Australia, Rosa Kamenev, decided to open a "concept store" in Moscow, modelled on the likes of hip boutiques such as Colette in Paris, she chose to stock some of the best Australasian fashion. This includes Zambesi, Nom*D and Sabatini, alongside the likes of Akira Isogawa and Ksubi.
In fact, this Moscow store now has the most examples of Zambesi on its shelves anywhere outside Zambesi's own stores. The 400sq m space, called Cara & Co and described as "a deluxe boutique for intellectuals", also sells design books, beauty products and vintage accessories, and hosts small art exhibitions.
It opened this month and Elisabeth and Neville Findlay travelled over to have a look.
Art on a plate
Viva readers may recall local designer Rachel Young, who turned her interest in origami, the art of paper folding, into a business. A second product now joins the intricate lampshade Young makes under her brand name, Fold. After many hours of experimentation with paper, Young has patented the Fold dish, a delightful serving, fruit or display plate made from recycled plastic and available in black, white, red and yellow at Eon Design Centre. For more information, see www.fold.co.nz
Laugh like a chain
Just in at World, a cute collection of jewellery from London called Tatty Devine. Witty, wacky and wondrous examples of the collection, which has been made by two former art students with a sense of humour, include a Love-Hate necklace and cufflinks, a Monkey necklace and a pendant that simply says "Aarrghhh".
Drink'n'wear
Put down your sewing needles, fashion just got a little weirder. Scientists in Western Australia have "grown" a dress.
They used the bacterial skin that forms on the top of old red wine to make the frock, and although the finished product is a seamless garment that apparently fits like a second skin, it's also as delicate as tissue paper.
Plus it feels wet and smells a bit like wine. Obviously a little more work is required before you find this kind of thing for sale at the local mall. But the scientists have moved on - they're now working on growing garments out of other kinds of alcohol, including a translucent cloth made out of beer.
