Today’s news that Tamsin Cooper and the Royal New Zealand Ballet have entered into a collaboration for a fashion accessories’ line has been one of those items we’ve known about for a while, but had to respect an embargo. Now revealed, it’s one of those unexpected tie-ups, but one which makes sense. Both organizations get to extend their brands, and try their hands in a new market. And being someone who knows full well how tricky co-branding efforts can be, this one certainly has more up sides and than down ones.

The All Blacks were getting plenty of announcements today: first, Telecom New Zealand said it would sponsor New Zealand’s rugby team through to the 2011 World Cup. Secondly, menswear brand Barkers announced its collaboration, with a Barkers Black line, inspired by Italian designer gear.
   The idea was to create a slick silhouette for the bulkier rugby player—but as with Barkers generally, there will be sizes across the board.
   The range features suits, a wool coat and shirts, along with New Zealand-made merino knitwear.
   All Blacks Josevata Rokocoko, Anthony Boric and Richard Kahui star in the campaign.

Given the long hair trend is back in a big way, it was refreshing to learn of a new Clairol product especially geared to it. Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship has higher conditioning levels, which should guard against damage better. Not bad for a mass-market brand, with shampoo, conditioner and treatment mask. There’s a red raspberry and satin fragrance. Shampoo and conditioner at NZ$6·59 each; the treatment mask is NZ$8·49.

I was chatting to Cassius Eyewear’s Jason Ng, who has seen his company grow very quickly in a short space of time. Not surprising to see why: Cassius’s range has some cool oversized styles, plus the campaign has been very nicely shot. The interesting thing is that Cassius is getting more press outside New Zealand than inside—a very familiar phenomenon to us.
   Jason is also keeping a blog for his company, at cassiuseyewear.blogspot.com, which previews some of the company’s next moves.

We know this is one Lucire team member talking to another, but considering the subject is Summer Rayne Oakes and her fantastic new book, Style, Naturally, it’s certainly worth it. Fashion editor Samantha Hannah speaks to Summer Rayne, filmed by Snap Star.

It’s been a wonderful few days chilling out with our ed.-at-large, Summer Rayne Oakes, in Lucire’s home country of New Zealand to promote her book, Style, Naturally.
   Summer Rayne was out this way to attend Greenfest in Brisbane, Queensland, and decided that she should venture to New Zealand to see us and to give Style, Naturally, which launched here earlier this year, a push.

Summer Rayne interviewed by National Radio’s Jim Mora, broadcast live on June 9.

With David Farrier for TV3’s Campbell Live, which aired June 11.

Checking out Trade Aid on Victoria Street, Wellington, with Carolyn Enting; and Summer’s subsequent interview at Mojo Coffee on Bond Street.

   Barbora Hromadova of Southern Publishers Group, which distributes Style, Naturally here, did an incredible job of arranging the Auckland media. While I cannot mention who has interviewed Summer until their pieces run, some of you will already have seen her story in The Dominion Post and Campbell Live, as well as on two radio stations, including Radio New Zealand National.
   I flew up on Sunday, a few hours ahead of Summer, to collect her from Auckland Airport. We’ve been seeing the journalists that Barbora arranged initially, and thanks to Mark Patterson at Volvo, had a very comfortable ride in the form of the XC60 diesel SUV.
   We had plenty of comedies of errors with the keys at the Cintra Lane Apartments, my regular haunt, which are too plentiful to list here.
   I introduced Summer to Bridget Saunders and Miss New Zealand Katie Taylor, both of whom have interests in sustainability, during the evenings, and spent quite a bit on food to boost the Auckland economy.
   Here in Wellington, I was adamant that I would at least show Summer Rayne a bit more of this part of the island than the central city, and got to drive her around our south coast.
   She mastered the use of the Kiwi superlative suffix (the use of as at the ends of adjectives) and the distinctively odd ‘Flag it’ (‘Ignore it’), and I admit I was more liberal with the former than I otherwise would be.
   But the highlight was probably dinner with fashion editor Samantha Hannah and some of our crew on Wednesday night. We invited Laurie Foon of Starfish, whose label was featured in Style, Naturally. Laurie had bought the book many months before without knowing Starfish was in it. She had it for two months before getting to the references’ section; and was further surprised when I called her to ask if she wanted to meet the author.
   Earlier today, Samantha filmed an interview with Summer Rayne for both Snapstar and Lucire TV.

After her final Style, Naturally interview on this leg, Summer Rayne relaxes with the Lucire crew in Wellington and at Te Papa Tongarewa.

Summer Rayne Oakes at the Bush City trail at Te Papa Tongarewa—before the joke that the water could be from the toilets.

   Afterwards, we hung out at Te Papa before I drove Summer to Wellington Airport as she left our shores, only to be dicked around by Air New Zealand over an error in her ticketing, which spoiled an otherwise enjoyable tour.
   The error seemed to emanate from the Brisbane end, when the booking was originally done, and some of the Air New Zealand staff here tried their best to remedy the situation.
   These five days in Auckland and Wellington were thoroughly enjoyable. We’re looking forward to seeing more of the press that Summer Rayne deservedly received during her time here; and needless to say, we recommend Style, Naturally wholeheartedly as the definitive guide to sustainable fashion and beauty.

I know Lucire is not a car maga­zine, but I thought I should clarify my state­ments about the A-pillar area on the Peu­geot 308 SW being messy. At left is a photo­graph I took on my old cell illus­trating what I meant. Some people might like all these lines that go nowhere and every­where—I don’t.
   While we also have an Audi A4 review online, more importantly, Bron Williams’ interview with tattooed hairstylist extraordinaire Richard Kavanagh is now on-site, and Bulgari had a bash for its 125th birthday.
   Elyse Glickman, meanwhile, talks to Deborah Anderson, on her new photographic book, Paperthin.
   Meanwhile, I should publicly acknowledge that Parmesh Shahani (below right), editorial director of Verve, whom I caught up with yesterday, thought that Stanley Moss hit the nail on the head with his choice of northern Indian luxury resorts. He says that most non-Indians wouldn’t have known of these, and that Stanley did his research in finding the truly best.
   Verve has an amazing issue coming up in a few months. I am sworn to secrecy, but Indians will love it when that issue hits the stands.

If you’re anything like me you’ll be eagerly anticipating the 2009 Food Show. The impressive line-up of celebrity New Zealand chefs, including Peta Mathias, Donna Hay and Julie Le Clerc, will be sharing new recipes, lending handy hints and no doubt inspiring onlookers with their passion and zest for great-tasting food. And while you meander your way around the delightful mix of exhibits, you’ll be able to make a pit stop and chill out to live music.
   So if you’re able to scoot along to the Food Show, then just make sure you go equipped with an empty tummy, open mind and wide eyes ready to taste your little heart out. The Food Show starts in Wellington from this Friday until Sunday and moving on to Christchurch in March and tempting the taste buds of Aucklanders in July. For more information including venues and prices visit www.foodshow.co.nz.

Drawing inspiration from hiking in the wilderness—the Routeburn, to be precise—Kate Sylvester’s summer 2010 collection was en route to adventure and discovery.
   While the clothing was all gorgeous and very wearable, the accessories were what we were all crowing about. Explorer backpacks glowed vibrantly in primary coloured silks, and Doc Marten boots were customized with car paint in matte blue, red, green and yellow, and glossy grey. Fimo toy necklaces displayed the trophies of prehistoric excursions in the form of dinosaur teeth and mini bones. The most “statement” accessories, however, were Sylvester’s many different takes on the tramping gaiter. The gaiters were long, short, in modern Macpac style, and in raw linen army chap form. Also in raw linen were full brim explorer hats, perfect for fighting off those summer rays. As for the menswear, expect your boyfriends to all be sporting dinosaur motifs this summer.—Bronwyn Williams

Peering down intently to the subtly lit stage, my eyes transfixed, my back upright and tilted forward so not to miss a moment of the serene beauty and grace of French ballerina Sylvie Guillem gliding fluidly across the stage with such effortlessness. The air still, I am hypnotized by the meditative atmosphere created by the Spanish guitar music and I find it difficult to swallow and rearrange myself in my seat. Heavy beats and quick flashes of movement contrast with slow pulses of the guitar. Guillem’s limbs intertwine with the music casting an intrinsic strength in her path. She dances barefoot throughout, although at times it takes some straining of the eyes to be sure she is on her bare tip-toes. With more of a contemporary streak, rather than tutus and points, Push is a living, breathing, raw performance igniting feelings of passion coupled with visions of an almost animalistic quality. When Guillem is paired with Russell Maliphant, an English choreographer and accomplished performer in his own right, the two move across the stage in a way that fools the eye into thinking they are one, morphing together in an almost seamless transition.
   Push, direct from Sadler’s Wells in London, hit New Zealand last week. If you were lucky enough to see the performance you’ll understand why I was so impressed. If not, here is a preview of the brilliance of Sylvie Guillem and Russell Maliphant.