KEY POINTS:
How fitting to launch the Discovery Channel's new documentary series, Everest: Beyond the Limit, with a photographic exhibition from the programme at the Viaduct's not-so-hot spot Minus 5. The temperature is a constant minus 5C and the bar is fitted out with ice sculptures, ice chandeliers and ice-molded glasses filled with blue vodka cocktails.
The new series, which premieres on Anzac Day, documents the 2006 climbing season on Mt Everest - the second deadliest on record and the first time a double amputee, New Zealander Mark Inglis, has reached the summit. The series follows climbers from around the world, led by New Zealander Russell Brice, through the gruelling two-month attempt to reach the top. The Kiwi contingent on the film crew included cameraman Mark Whetu.
Also included in the creative launch were young men dressed as Sherpas milling around a mock base camp, which was set up under intermittent fake snowfalls, providing a real mood-setter for the preview ahead.
At Lenin Bar, exhibiting photographer Mark Rogers spoke about his experiences on Everest, after which the guests filed next door to suit up in anoraks, gloves and ugg boots and view the photographs, which were displayed completely encased in ice.
While on Everest Rogers, a Sydney-based photographer, was on his honeymoon with his wife Jen Peedom, who was also the crew's high-altitude director. And as Peedom said in her online diary of her experience, two bodies in a tent are warmer than one.
Little Brother launch
Designer menswear label Little Brother launched its Winter 2007 range on Thursday at the hidden-away retro-cool Schooner Tavern in Quay St. It wasn't so much a launch event as a party to get the word out that new-season stock is in store.
No speeches, but the press information says the Replicant collection revives the 80s - the dark mood of post-punk Britain rather than the electro-pop, peach-coloured era. Guests could watch the footage of the runway show from Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2006, but not many did.
The clothes are sharp and tailored for the tall and slim and part of Little Brother's marketing is to dress our hipster rock talents such as The Mint Chicks and Dimmer.
Another of the label's clothes-horse bands, The Whipping Cats, played a thumping but short set to the gathering of the young and beautiful. You could tell you were at a fashion event because people were dressed very well, led by the immaculately turned out Murray Crane, the label's owner.
Launched in 2002, Little Brother is made in New Zealand and is one of the only local labels to deal exclusively in menswear.
