Retail therapy: This week's shopping news

The face
Amazing: Erykah Badu stars in the latest campaign for Givenchy. Creative director Riccardo Tisci explained his choice of model to Style.com: "Erykah, she's an icon - come on! She's one of the most stylish women I've met in my life." The singer, who will play at The Civic in April next year, features in the campaign alongside models Eboni Riley, Maria Borges and Asia Chow.

Hair there
Tucked away at the end of Coach House Lane in Parnell is an exciting addition to Auckland's hairdressing scene, Ginger Meggs Emporium, the latest venture of the Christchurch hairdressing institution. The team of skilled stylists have been stamping their mark since opening, creating the hair for Pia's Boutique at this year's NZ Fashion Week. The boutique salon and "emporium" includes a shop selling a small, eclectic selection of gifts. Find it at 279 Parnell Rd.

We love....

this sweet little mug, new from Kate Sylvester and Douglas and Bec. Handcrafted by Studio Ceramics, the ivory or blush bisque mugs are $30 and would make a good last-minute Christmas gift - for your mum, or yourself.

Balmy days
If you could stow just one all-purpose beauty balm in your bag this holiday, it would be hard to go past the trusty Eight Hour Cream. The colourful limited edition pot of the skin protectant costs $29. From Boxing Day, when you buy two Elizabeth Arden products, including one from the Eight Hour Cream range, you get a free Eight Hour Targeted Sun Defense Stick SPF50, valued at $37 (pictured).

Glass beauty

Look and lust. These gorgeous Pericarp Vessels by leading glass artist Ann Robinson are inspired by journeys and new beginnings. Ranging in price from $7000 to $8000, they are part of the Seven Wishes exhibition, on until the end of January at FHE Galleries, 2 Kitchener St, in the city. The gallery will be closed for Christmas from this Saturday until January 10.

Light my fire

Superette's smart new candle, the store's first, is out just in time for Christmas. A collaboration with local maker Ashley & Co, the hand-poured, ginger lily scented candle (pictured) retails for $49 and comes in a mini-Superette cloth bag - so you won't even need to wrap it. Workshop is also dabbling in candles, with Laboratory Perfumes & Candles now available exclusively in store in amber, gorse and samphire scents. $98 for candles and $139 for perfumes.

Save a life

Huffer has released Piha SLSC, a capsule range designed to raise money and awareness for the Piha Surf Life Saving Club. Ten per cent of proceeds from the T-shirts, singlets, sweatshirts (men's version pictured, $119), hats and boardshorts will go towards the club.

Working it

Workshop has launched a new line called W, with the first mini range featuring baseball caps and printed tees. The line is described as "a platform for a variety of collaborations and new projects", with the US-made baseball caps a collaboration with vintage sportswear manufacturer Ebbets Field Flannels. They're modelled on the 1954 Cleveland Indians Major League Baseball cap. There are four printed T-shirts, for men and women, both selling for $89 in Workshop stores.

Guilt-free giving
Gift for Gift is Bendon's answer to the Christmas spirit - with every Bendon Lingerie gift card purchase of $50 or more this month, they will gift a bra and brief set or a pair of men's briefs to a Kenyan community, which will be distributed by NZ-based International Volunteer HQ. Purchase gift cards at Bendon Lingerie stores, online at bendonlingerie.com and at Bendon Outlet stores.

- VIVA