Continuing to have its eye on the Chinese markets, Carrera y Carrera has released a series of snake-themed jewellery. Its Serpiente Maxi and Serpienti Mini pendants have been available in time for the lunar New Year. The designs have the Carrera y Carrera matt-shine effect, a voluminous look and sculptural style, says the company.
   As usual for a western company talking up its Chinese connections, Carrera y Carrera talks about the characteristics of people born under the year of the snake (‘Sensitivity, luxury, wisdom and good fortune’) as though they apply across the board.
   The New Zealand Opera will perform Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, in a production created by Kate Cherry, in Auckland’s Aotea Centre on April 18, 20, 24, 26 and 28, and Wellington’s St James Theatre on May 11, 14, 16 and 18. It stars soprano Antoinette Halloran in the title role, tenor Piero Pretti as Pinkerton, and English baritone Peter Savidge as the Sharpless. It will be performed in Italian with English surtitles. Tickets can be booked via the New Zealand Opera box office on 0800 NZ-OPERA, the Edge (for Auckland tickets) at 0800 289-842 or www.buytickets.co.nz, or Ticketek (for Wellington) on 0800 TICKETEK or www.ticketek.co.nz.
   Without warning, Ford Models will close its only Canadian office in Toronto, with its director Cathy Le Drew telling The Toronto Star that it was a decision from its head office in New York. There are 250 models on the Toronto website’s roster. Malin Åkerman (below) had once been represented by the Toronto office.