Retail therapy: Best in show

Vodafone NZ Music Awards presenters Ben Boyce, wearing Gibson and Shannon Ryan, wearing Juliette Hogan. Photo / Supplied

Who was best dressed at the Vodafone Music Awards? Viva would like to nominate young performer Ruby Frost, who looked incredible in a white vintage lace dress, vintage white platforms - and candy pink hair. Kudos must also go to Brooke Fraser in a shaggy Kate Sylvester dress that moved beautifully as she walked, Bic Runga in Zambesi sequins and fur, Ladi6, who performed wearing a necklace by Shona Tawhiao, and presenter Shannon Ryan, who had three wardrobe changes throughout the show, each dress custom-made for her by Juliette Hogan. Ryan's co-host Ben Boyce also looked rather dapper in a Gibson suit.

On display

Louis Vuitton's window displays are always a delight, especially come holiday season - and this Christmas the fashion house is celebrating the "splendour of the circus". Each Louis Vuitton boutique worldwide has been given a special magical circus-themed display, including Louis Vuitton-wearing tightrope walkers, trapeze artists, clowns and big cats. The new window display was installed in the Queen St store overnight, with an patterned, balancing elephant. The displays continue Louis Vuitton's long-running tradition of grand installations that combine fashion, design and art; with five displays a year created. 56 Queen St, City, ph (09) 358 5080.

Pastel dreams

We're impressed by local knitwear designer Areez Katki's new spring/summer collection, titled Handmade VI. Each piece in the range is hand-knitted, and made from various crafted fabrics including recycled sari silk, natural bamboo ribbon fibre and a luxurious bespoke Tussah silk fibre, spun-felted with a woven Tussah ribbon to give the illusion of a heavyweight felted wool. Katki has also introduced various collaborations, including woven skirts and dresses draped in silk georgette, crepe de chine and linen. We admire the craft behind each piece, and the serene pastel palette. Selected pieces from the collection have recently arrived at Miss Crabb, like the short-sleeved jumper pictured ($680). Ph (09) 361 3322.

Flag it

The flag bunting may be slowly coming down around Auckland post-RWC, but if you're keen to prolong the party atmosphere that they encourage then check out the wonderful flag bunting necklaces at design store Douglas and Bec. By Hermon & Son, they are made from sterling silver with a copper base, 24ct yellow gold plate and a silk and synthetic cord, and come with either five or eight flags. Hermon & Son flag bunting necklace, $175 to $235. Ph (09) 551 3685, or buy online.

New neighbours

The Poi Room has opened in Auckland's stylish Britomart precinct, a new store that will be open for the next five months. Located on the corner of Galway and Gore Sts, the new space will showcase New Zealand art and design as does the flagship Newmarket store.

Back in town

Christchurch department store Ballantynes is leading the city's retail revival holding a beauty week next week, followed by a homewares week, both designed to draw shoppers back to the CBD with special offers, samplings, demonstrations and workshops. The store reopened at the end of October on Cashel St Mall where a host of pop-up stores in containers have also sprung up in time for this week's Cup and Show Week. Among the Re.Start Project pop-ups is Auckland label Kingan Jones which wanted to show support for the earthquake-battered southern city.

Ballantynes now has 24 beauty houses and new international brands in its swept-up new Cosmetics Hall, including Kiehls, Mecca and Dermalogica, plus a Clarins clinic and treatment rooms. The store's fashion selection has been extended and its favourite ground floor cafe is back in action.

Crafty eye

Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa has launched an eyewear range, with selected styles available now at Fabric boutiques. The sunglasses reflect Isogawa's custom craft approach to design; each style is made in Japan and engraved with Japanese kanji, paying homage to the designer's heritage. Priced from $445 to $485. Ph (09) 366 4528.

Heading up

Newmarket's fast-growing fashion zone has gained a new tenant with Ainsley's Hair Design moving into a heritage building in Osborne St. Penny Ainsley, whose high-profile clients include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, decided on the move after six years in Remuera. Her team, led by manager Nicola Payne, helped transform a former nightclub with boarded-up windows into an airy loft space, complete with Wi-Fi and modern salon fittings.