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Ponsonby store Wallace Rose has collaborated with a shoe manufacturer to produce a range of glamorous and exclusive sandals. The resort sandals are priced from $139, and include everything from gladiator styles to Indian-inspired flats. Wallace Rose, 186 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, ph (09) 376 0572.
Rocking Rodney
Forty years on, Rodney Wayne is still going strong, having brought the hair salon franchise concept to New Zealand. The ever-youthful Mr Wayne celebrates his 60th birthday and his 40th anniversary in the trade next month. There are now 41 Rodney Wayne salons and 17 Shampoos and Things hair care retail stores in the stable and plans for a Rodney Wayne Man specialist grooming store. Wayne started chopping meat as a 15-year-old, but went from being an apprentice butcher in Nelson to training as a hairdresser in Melbourne. He returned to New Zealand to bring High Street style to the suburbs, saying: "I decided to be a big comb in a small basin." Refresher training with the likes of Vidal Sassoon and Jean Louis David kept his styles global and it was David who suggested he use his name as a brand to expand. Franchise and expansion into the-then new malls of the 1980s followed. Wayne has now put down the scissors, but he's still actively involved in setting standards for the businesses that bear his name. He says the most satisfaction for a hairdresser is when the client looks in the mirror and says "I love it".
Getting shirty
A women in a crisp shirt and jeans looks so chic - just look at vintage images of Audrey Hepburn for proof. So good news for women with a penchant for shirts, 3 Wise Men are now selling women's ones. The brand, which launched three years ago, first sold a range of quality cotton business shirts and ties, as well as accessories. The range of women's shirts will retail for the same price as the men's - $120 each or three for $300 - and are available online at www.3wisemen.co.nz and through their stores in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The brand also opened their first Australian store in Sydney's Paddington area last month.
Women of the future
The YWCA is holding its annual Future Leaders gala dinner at the Hilton in Auckland on October 30, with a high-profile list of speakers including Helen Clark, Dame Cath Tizard and John Campbell, who will interview ex Nasa astronaut Wendy Lawrence. The Future Leaders programme was set up in 2002, as a way to develop and support passionate young women between the ages of 14 to 18 to become leaders and role models in their communities. Each student is matched with a mentor who supports and encourages them to reach their potential. To buy tickets to the dinner, which are $250 each or $2500 for a table of 10, visit www.akywca.org.nz.
On counter
Keep an eye out at Smith & Caughey Queen St where some big changes are under way in the already expansive cosmetic section. M.A.C is moving in store next month, with a prime window spot, and the counters of several other big brands are to be expanded. M.A.C Chancery will be trans-formed next year into a M.A.C Pro shop, carrying the full range of professional makeup products, many previously not available in this country.
Melbourne Cup Day madness
Local label Basquesse have been invited for the third time to appear at the Designer Showcase in the Fashion in the Field event during the Melbourne Cup next week. And if you're attending a local Melbourne Cup day event, Portmans have a great selection of fancy but playful headpieces and fascinators which includes bow headbands and classic veils.
Bonus time
Pre-Christmas goodies (yes, there's only nine weeks to go now) are hitting shop shelves now and as all beauty fans know this is a great time to buy, with so many companies offering attractive gifts with purchase on bigger ticket items, such as perfume and skincare. We like the bonus gold sequin change purse that comes with Shiseido's appealing Zen fragrance, there's also a nice tote bag with Oscar de la Renta fragrance. Special edition releases also abound, from the Prince-would-have-loved-them purple and paisley GHDs to perfumes in special bottles. Farmers is already in Christmas mode and the pharmacies are gearing up, so look around.