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At last, a fashion blog with a perfectly dastardly personality, a bitchy style, and all the insider's gossip. Check out viewfromthefourthrow.com if you want to know what people really say about each other, about the clothes and about Anna Wintour in the purportedly glamorous world of
New York fashion mags. It makes for fascinating reading.
Up close and personal
For those with less than perfect pores, having a larger-than-life image of your skin blown up on to screen is not exactly fun. Interesting, yes. But no walk in the park. Still, Lancome's Diagnos skin diagnosis system is impressive. Three cameras undertake a scientific study of your skin's sebum and moisture levels and firmness and compare it to skin in the same age range.
We bravely undertook the process (good moisture, bad firmness) and the results have changed our lives - well the way we look after it. There's a $50 deposit, redeemable on purchase. The machine will be in Smith & Caughey's Queen St from today until Saturday. To book, see the Lancome counter.
Better than an apple
Recently launched in New Zealand, To Sir With Love is a fine cashmere label with so much fashion cred you'll want to swap your vintage Louboutin heels for a piece. The clothing is a collaboration between Katie Lockhart, former design assistant to Karen Walker turned decorator to the stars in Europe, and Margot Davies, previously the marketing manager for Sass & Bide in London and partner of photographer Derek Henderson.
It's a New Zealand-designed collection of basics, made in China, with yarn from Italy and already sold in Australia and Europe. The folks behind To Sir With Love say that although their cashmere is of the highest quality, customers won't need to pay thousands for a simple vest. Pieces start at $200 and are available at Karen Walker stores. For more info see tosir.net
Drop dead modern
It was perhaps the one genre of store that Ponsonby Rd has been lacking. No, not another cafe, high-end boutique or homewares store. Dead Modern has been set up by the guys who bring Insight surf clothing into the country, and they've put the best of what might be described as the fashion streetwear they represent into one shop.
Available instore are various Australian labels - Something, One Teaspoon and the new-to-New-Zealand brand, Little Lady From - as well as jeans from Sweden by Dr Denim and hip fedora-style hats from the United States by Peter Grimm. Dead Modern is at 134A Ponsonby Rd.
Hold tight to your tights
One of the hottest trends striding off the runways at the last batch of European fashion weeks was the tights-clad leg. Opaque, textured and footless, tights were everywhere and will doubtless be a must-have item come winter, no matter whether you're wearing a voluminous smock or a mini skirt.
To avoid the problems some of the Euro designers there ran into - some had to fly in opaque tights from overseas because they ran out in Paris - get yours early. Voodoo has just released its winter range of footless styles, in colours like scarlet, violet, berry and, of course, black. Available at Farmers for $16.99.
Fashion up your Saturday
If you're wanting something a little different on your T-shirt, wander down to the Saturday Shop on K Rd. There the crafty designers have been whiling away those hot summer days, applique-ing T-shirts and longer T-shirt dresses with interesting silky shapes and oversized bows.
Located in the La Gonda arcade, the Saturday Shop is only open on Saturdays or by appointment during the week. Call (09) 377 0169 for more.