KEY POINTS:
Stolen Girlfriends Club have been announced as the winner of the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship. The design team have won a prize package that includes international freight to the value of $10,000, coaching in freight and logistics from DHL Express, an individually tailored export mentoring package, and
annual membership subscription from Fashion Industry New Zealand.
Judged by a panel including 42 Below founder Geoff Ross, Trelise Cooper and Viva's Zoe Walker, the prize was awarded at a ceremony on Thursday night that featured a fashion show featuring Stolen Girlfriends Club designs alongside pieces from runners up Salasai and Jimmy D.
Perfect match
Summer is the perfect opportunity to flash a sexy pedicure and Havaianas and OPI are teaming up to help get your feet ready. Every purchase
made online at www.havaianasnz.com will receive a free OPI nail lacquer as matched by the experts at OPI. There are seven contrasting colour combos, including crisp white jandals with classic red polish and crystal blue slim jandals with metallic ink lacquer.
Little Brother moves in
Barkers is set to become the exclusive distributor of Little Brother through their 25 stores nationwide and online at www.barkersonline.co.nz.
The first Little Brother range will be available in April next year. This means Little Brother stores will close, and Gubb & Mackie
will move into the current High St store. Barkers are also looking to open a store on the fashionable street next year.
Win with Neelear Nomad
You could make your Christmas extra special this year by winning this Sino necklace from online store NeelearNomad.co.nz. It is made up of a 55cm silver
multi-strand necklace and a 4cm round pendant that holds several Swarovski crystals, and is worth $539. To enter, simply write your
name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope and send it to
Neelear Nomad competition, Viva, NZ Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland. Entries close December 17, winner announced January 14.
Trelise decorates
Trelise Cooper is adding to her fashion empire by launching a new collection of luxury interiors. Launched in conjunction with textile company Charles Parson Ltd, the collection features a line of fabrics inspired by Italy's magical Lake Como. Of course, expect plenty of
Cooper's signature florals, with soft, patina fabrics and luxe fabrics all of which can be used on anything from curtains, cushions and chairs. The line will be available from interior designers and retailers from
February next year.
Deadly Ponies get exclusive
How annoying is it when you walk down the street and see someone
carrying the same bag? Well Deadly Ponies have come to your rescue. The design duo have designed a range of bags in one-off, never-to-be-repeated colours, available exclusively at Superette's Newmarket boutique. There are three bags available - the Mr Zipalot, Mr Sling and Mr Patchwork Sling bags.
Phone Superette on (09) 966 0440.
Amazing mascaras
Viva can attest that motion mascaras, the new "it" makeup item, deliver a great result and easily. We've not only tried Estee Lauder's just released TurboLash ($72), but also Lancome's Oscillation ($79) which isn't on sale until February. The gadgets, which work by micro-vibration and are powered by tiny batteries, are selling like hot cakes overseas.
Unlike manual brushing which requires a subtle zig-zagging motion and a steady hand to coat lashes from base to tip, a motion mascara is
simply held to the lash line. One big advantage is that lashes can be quickly recoated for a thicker application without clumping.
Our verdict is that both mascaras deliver a lovely lash and even for
non-techy types they're sure to appeal. Some will prefer the finger-tip control of the on-button on the Lancome brush and its slightly more
subtle vibration, others will opt for Estee Lauder's auto option in a lovely metal canister.
Expect other brands to eventually follow suit, but you wouldn't want to end up with a badly made jerky wand anywhere near your eye.
Christmas shopping alert
Nuffield Street retailers are getting into the festive spirit and holding a Christmas shopping evening tomorrow night. Christmas fever will take over the fashionable precinct from 6pm until 9pm, where participating stores (including some of our favourites like Karen Walker, Kikki-K, Runway, Superette, Kingan Jones, Nest and Trelise
Cooper Kids) will be running special offers, including gifts and discounts. There will be music on the street and drinks and nibbles in
stores.
Christmas spirt
Meadowlark Jewellery are offering an online Christmas special to Viva
readers, but get in quick as the offer runs out on December 12! Log on
to www.meadowlark.co.nz/shop and enter the discount codeword "tinsel", and you'll get 15 per cent off your purchase. So get shopping
now!
Let's get crafty
It's set to be a very crafty week this week - Craftwerk will be held tomorrow night at St Kevins Arcade in Auckland, from 6-10pm, with the usual array of crafts, zines, live music and art stalls, plus film screenings featuring visual art and short films. And The Ministry of Art + Design contemporary art and design sale is on this Saturday 13
December at the Trinity Methodist Church Hall in Kingsland. The sale is a showcase of "talented artists who are exceptional at their craft", with 14 artists/designers showcasing their high standard of work. Everything from ceramics to glass, print, photography, fashion, furniture and textiles will be available. For more information on the artists who will be showcasing their work, visit www.ministryofartanddesign.wordpress.com. We think both of these sales are both perfect places to find unique New Zealand made gifts for Christmas.
The gift that cares
Give a gift that matters this Christmas with ChildFund New Zealand's Gifts That Grow selection. The range of gifts will help make a difference in the lives of children in need. And there's something for every budget, from a $10 thermometer to a $1951 rainwater tank and
everything in between (think a pair of goats, water-purifier tablets, school uniforms and a sewing machine). For more info, go to
www.childfund.org.nz