Many Minella and Lucie Safarova go shopping for NY Eve outfits ahead of the ASB Classic
A couple of pro tennis players were given their pick of dresses and shoes from a couple of leading Kiwi fashion designers ahead of the ASB Classic's opening bash for the international hard-hitters in Auckland this afternoon.
Mandy Minella, 31, of Luxembourg and Lucie Safarova, 29, of the Czech Republic were taken to dress designer Juliette Hogan and shoe-designer Kathryn Wilson's stores in Britomart.
Tennis players, Luci Safarova, of Czech Republic (left) and Mandy Minella of Luxembourg, shop in New Zealand designer stores, Juliette Hogan and Kathryn Wilson as they look for an outfit for the players.
The pair ended up in sleek numbers made of silky fabric variations of Hogan's Sandstorm print - designed in-house and exclusive to the brand - which they'll be wearing at the players' party on January 1 to be held at True Food & Yoga on Tamaki Drive.
The well-known Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have also landed in the City of Sails - with Serena, 35, announcing news of her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian this morning.
Serena Williams is currently ranked second in the world, while her older sister was ranked number 13. The current number one is Angelique Kerber, 28, from Germany.
Video screen grab of Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams arriving at Auckland International Airport this morning ahead of the start of the ASB Classic tennis tournament.
Minella, currently ranked 105th in the world, will be appearing at the festivities, to mark the tennis competition's opening on Sunday, dressed in a long skirt in the Sandstorm print, combined with a simple black single top.
She's paired her outfit with suede green heels on a brown wooden platform heel.
"The skirt has nice patterns and it makes it very special and the top is a little more simple" she said. "They [shoes] are also a little special, I usually have a lot more black shoes so these are khaki green ... it matches the outfit very well."
While Minella confessed to not knowing too much about fashion, she said Kiwi women appeared to be well-presented.
"Women look good ... in a good shape and taking care of themselves.
Safarova, currently ranked 63rd, chose a sleek one piece cocktail dress, also in the Sandstorm print, paired with a silver multi-strapped heel.
She described New Zealand's fashion as "very trendy" and "pretty" and was impressed with what she'd seen in the two stores today.
"It was tough to choose, I chose her patterns and I'm excited to wear it for the first day of the New Year."
Tennis player, Mandy Minella, of Luxembourg, shops in New Zealand designer stores, Juliette Hogan and Kathryn Wilson as she looks for an outfit for the players party of the ASB Classic.
As for New Year's Eve neither of the players expected to be having a wild night.
Safarova wasn't convinced she'd be up to much given she'd only flown in this afternoon.
"I just arrived so I'll be struggling with jetlag, but I remember from a few years ago there's beautiful fireworks in the tower, so I hope I will stay up and maybe have a toast with my friends."
Minella imagined she might need to have an early night. "[But] if I'm not playing then probably a nice dinner and a nice celebration."
The two players hoped they would be playing in the ASB Classic for most of the week - but had their eye on Waiheke Island if they had any downtime.
Tennis player, Mandy Minella, of Luxembourg, shops in New Zealand designer stores, Juliette Hogan and Kathryn Wilson as she looks for an outift for the players party of the ASB Classic.
The tournament gets underway with the Women's Qualifying rounds taking place at the ASB Tennis Arena tomorrow followed by a second round on New Year's Day.
The men's competition gets underway later in the new year, with their qualifying rounds taking place on Saturday January 7.
