Top Miss New Zealand Sarah Munn, in the centre, with some of her fellow competitors at World Miss University in Seoul, Korea. Above Mary Katrantzou’s design for the Design Museum Christmas tree.

First View

Mary Katrantzou has designed the Design Museum’s Christmas tree this year, incorporating patterns from her autumn–winter 2012–13 collection.
   The collection included a collaboration with Swarovski and Lesage. The tree, measuring 3 m tall, will use Katrantzou’s patterns with a Christmas take on the theme.
   She said in a release, ‘The print was inspired by formal gardens and artful box parterres; these were layered and overlaid to create an intricate maze-like print reminiscent of a hand embroidered lace motif.’
   The tree will be on display at the Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD from December 4, 2012 to January 9, 2013. Design Museum exhibitions on show at this time are Unexpected Pleasures: the Art and Design of Contemporary Jewellery (December 5–March 30), Digital Crystal: Swarovski at the Design Museum (until January 13), Designers in Residence (until January 27).
   After three days of YouTube viewing, Miss New Zealand Sarah Munn is in the lead again for World Miss University’s public vote, with 4,316 at the time of writing.
   Despite having an early lead in the first hours after her video was uploaded, seven other countries quickly overtook Miss Munn as their populations began voting. However, thanks to Lucire readers (and those at our sister publications), Miss Munn’s own friends, and others in New Zealand and around the world supporting her, she overtook her rivals one by one to return to the top placing tonight.
   Contestants have worked at the Balsandong Cathedral bazaar and attended the Asian Women Leaders’ Forum. A Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Incheon Airport will take place on Friday and Saturday.
   Her video can be watched below or at www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1Qb2XbFSUA.
   Finally, in ‘Living’ news, Oprah Winfrey has named the Nespresso Lattissima as one of her 68 favourite things of 2012 in the December issue of O. Nespresso in New Zealand is offering a NZ$75 cashback on a Lattissima purchase until January 6.—Jack Yan, Publisher, with Lucire staff