Look out for the Body Shop’s Mothers’ Day gift packages. Lucire tried the White Musk shower gel and body lotion, a subtle scent of one of the Body Shop’s favourites. It’s an attractively packaged duo with a matching shower scrunchy. This would be a lovely treat for a travel gift when you just want a bit of pampering that’s a bit more than the hotel freebies, retailing at NZ$23. (Custom wrapping paper for Mothers’ Day is also available.) If white musk isn’t your scent, try the Japanese Cherry Blossom, a floral fragrance. There are several gift packages in this range: shower gel, body lotion, and hand cream. Most of the Body Shop’s top sellers have a gift package to suit your budget and your nose; Madagascan Vanilla Bean, Moringa Flower and my favourite, the Shea Pamper pack—anything with pamper in the title works for me.
   The Body Shop is also all about eyes with the launch in May of 21 new eye colours. I particularly liked that they can be used both wet and dry, so when you want a defined line or depth of colour, use them wet; for that smouldering or smoky look, layer or blend them. There are shades in this range for all eye colours, moods and occasions. You can have the subtle hues of Caramel Flirt, which is much more than a nude—it has a lovely shimmer without being glitzy; or Sugar Gaze to give a lustrous highlight. Moonlight Kiss can be used as a liner or a smoky evening look, and for a young or more frivolous look, check out Berry Cute—think of a berry smoothy. Blueberry Night pairs wonderfully with Midnight Flirt. If you’re feeling earthy, the matte of Fig Leaf combined with the pearly Sweet Pea will fill the green tones beautifully.
   Retailing at NZ$21 per mono eyeshadow, the Colour Crush range is produced in Italy from high-quality pigments and Community Fair Trade Oils to the Body Shop’s high standard of sustainability and quality. The individual clear pack is compact and enables you to see exactly what you’re buying.—Linden Sprunt

Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

Lucire has had a private preview of Mardle’s spring–summer 2013–14 collection, Bisou, Bisou. And to show that Mardle is the thinking woman’s choice for stylish staples, each of the outfits is named after a Kiss song.
   Designer Shiana Weir has put the emphasis more on evolution, rather than revolution, given her feedback from her customers. She recognizes that unlike Europe and the US, New Zealand customers tend not to favour huge changes between seasons.
   Characteristic of the collection is the X panel, either through using complementary fabrics on the garment. Similarly, Mardle has used a script X on a print, signalling the custom of signing kisses with an x.
   The I Stole Your Love relaxed T blends Modal and polyester, and brings in a light, sheer look for spring–summer. We also liked her Nothing to Lose jacket, with removable shoulder pads that are held in place inside the garment with Velcro. The Shock Me mini-skirt has a distinctive black-and-white pattern, while the Crazy Crazy Nights dress has sequinned sleeves and a nice blush and gold Lurex finish. The Mardle Lizzie leather belt completes the outfits. Weir has also a colour palette that includes black-and-white, gold, and gun-metal grey.
   The labels proudly bear the Mardle logo and ‘Made in New Zealand’, which will have plenty of appeal to its Kiwi customers. Mardle can be found online at www.mardle.co.nz, with its stockists (including Dunedin’s Salisbury Boutique and Havelock North’s Salsa) listed here.—Jack Yan, Publisher

Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

Notch has scored another high-profile cover girl with actress Priyanka Chopra. Chopra talks about why she hates singing live and her concern for her father’s health, and gives advice to her younger sister Parineeti Chopra. The magazine can be found via www.notchmag.com, or through its presences on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
   We’re absolutely loving One Luv’s latest jewellery collection, Through the Eyes of Yves Saint Laurent, comprising miniature glasses. They are a tribute to the late designer’s trade-mark eyewear, and actually open and close like real specs. The designs are available in 18 ct gold-plated, or can be had with rose gold, silver or black. They retail for A$70, come with a long belcher chain, and measure 45 by 40 mm when open. If you’re a discerning fashionista, or you know of one, then we think these are the cleverest jewellery item for discerning fashionistas that we’ve seen in ages. There’s more at www.oneluv.com.au.
   In travel news, the Cranleigh Boutique has launched a distinctive boutique house in Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District, with appointments and gadgets galore. The décor is not what most of our non-UK readers might associate with Britishness—it’s more over the top of what you’d typically find in our pages.
   However, the three-storey house, called the Hideout, impresses on the toys and amenities. It features a cocktail bar, a super-sized air spa bath for two with underwater lighting, a 65-inch hidden cinema screen, a three-dimensional smart TV with internet and Apple TV access, Sono’s music, and Netflix movies (with 150 DVDs). The first floor has a king-size four-poster bed and luxury bedding, while the third floor has an open-plan cinema lounge, fully equipped kitchen, a 55-inch Sony smart 3D TV with a Blu-Ray DVD player, Bose surround-sound system, mood lighting and balcony.
   Cranleigh Boutique owner Stephen Hargreaves’ aim was to create the best accommodation experience for two people in the UK. It retails at between £400 and £500 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. It can be booked by the night all year except for weekends. Additional services including continental breakfast and daily maid are available, as well as free use of luxury leisure facilities. More can be found at www.thecranleigh.com/property/111/the-hideout.aspx.
   Finally, in the main part of the site, we’ve gone Parisian: Lola Saab looks back at the prêt-à-porter collections for autumn–winter 2013–14, while Stanley Moss checks out two very different boutique hotels. Jack Yan writes about the BMW 3-series Touring launch between Auckland and Paihia, while Sopheak Seng checks out Wellington label Mondegreen’s latest collection. Elyse Glickman headed to the pre-Oscar suites, while Eva Mendes launched a collection for Vogue Eyewear in Los Angeles.

Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

Having viewed the Zambesi winter collection late last year in amongst the craziness of New Zealand Fashion Week, I had forgotten what my favourite pieces were (as so happens when you view collections six months before they are due in store and in quick sucession). When the invitation to attend the Wellington store’s winter launch appeared, the chance to stroll down memory lane and rediscover my favourites, and find some new gems, was welcome.
   Zambesi is one of those labels that is best appreciated up close. What appears to be plain shirting fabric is, in fact, a very fine mesh; or a print is turns out to be something else upon closer inspection. With the models rocking some looks from the collection, it was a joy to rediscover those well turned-out and brilliantly cut coats and jackets, tailored in fine wools and pieced together with wax-finish leathers. There were the beautiful brocades and jacquard prints featured on pants and dresses, the gorgeous knitwear, and one of my favourite standout prints of the season, the chequerboard print in butter yellow and ink navy.
   Stand-outs from the small showing in store were: the lace and knit dress—a beautiful, tight, sleeved dress with almost lace crochet detailing with tiny sequin embellishments, the perfect day-to-night outfit; and the black sheer silk shift dress with bandage-like side detailing and fringe work. The movement when the model walked was exquisite and very on trend with the flapper-esque feel to it all.
   From the menswear range, everything, from the military-style coats to the sharply tailored Slimane-like suiting, was very slick and super-stylish. The chequerboard pattern shirt is a must for winter, crafted in beautiful almost lace-like fabric. Also on the must-haves, one of the many coats that are in the collection: my favourite was the double-breasted wool coat with piece leather sleeves—cut with a surgeon’s scalpel this is a classic that will never date.
   The hair for the show had a very cool vibe to it—a mix of dishevelled chic, a wet look mixed with dry rough-and-tumble—directed by Buoy creative director Michael Beel. It was the perfect touch to the collection.
   Zambesi’s winter collection is in store now.—Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor

Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

Wellington artists Tai and Kaaterina Kerekere have just opened their latest exhibition, My Culture Is Not a Trend, at Thistle Hall, on the corner of Cuba and Arthur Streets in New Zealand’s capital city.
   The couple’s paintings take pride of place, expressing personal aspects of Māoridom, culture, womanhood, family, and identity, relevant not only to a Māori audience but to any in living in New Zealand.
   Of greater interest to Lucire readers, however, is the launch of their jewellery line. KE Design, as the Kerekeres’ company is called, has launched what it calls The Heritage Collection 2013, which features unique hand-crafted jewellery featuring simple motifs founded on, as the name suggests, their heritage and whakapapa. The designs are clear, eye-catching and modern, and have an internationalist flavour while proudly steeped in New Zealand’s own culture. Prices range from a very reasonable NZ$100 for earrings to NZ$400 for a pendant set in silver and garnet.
   The Kerekeres, no strangers to exhibiting their art internationally, are showing in Hawai‘i in January 2014, and will launch another jewellery collection there. They will also take 33 works of art to the 50th US state.
   My Culture Is Not a Trend runs from March 27 to 31 at Thistle Hall, open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. KE Design can be found at kedesign.co.nz, with the site developed by Adrian Owen of SweetChilli, and on Facebook at facebook.com/rina.taiart.
   Another New Zealand artist showing abroad is Darryn George, of Ngāpuhi descent, who has been invited to the Biennale di Venezia, showing at the Palazzo Bembo. The Christchurch-born artist recently gave a talk at Wellington’s Caffè L’Affarè about his plans to transform room 15 into a Wharenui-like space with highly reflective black surfaces, with the concept based around filing cabinets representing the lives lost in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
   The work, consisting of 3,510 mm-high MDF boards painted with high-gloss automotive paints, is being made in New Zealand and will be shipped to Venezia, but George requires help to raise the funds to get to the Biennale. An impression of what the finished work will look like is shown below.

   He has already completed a work at the Connells Bay Sculpture Park at a smaller scale, and has exhibited in Paris, as well as throughout New Zealand.
   The freight will cost some NZ$110,000, and donations of NZ$2,500, NZ$5,000 or any amount are sought. More information can be sought either from John and Jo Gow at Connells Bay Sculpture Park (info@connellsbay.co.nz, or John on 64 21 363-613, or Jo on 64 21 963-613) or Rebecca Hamid, Director, RH Gallery (art@rhgallery.co.nz, 64 21 393-970). Donations to the Connells Bay Sculpture Trust are tax-deductible, with the Trust set up as a registered charity.
   We’ve further good news where readers can help the future of one of our subjects directly. With the success of their début at last year’s New Zealand Fashion Week as part of the Miromoda show, the lovely ladies behind Surface Too Deep (see Lucire issue 29) have been asked to showcase their brand at Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week.
   As with any small start-up, business finances are tight and the need for sponsorship is crucial. It has long been a dream of the brand to showcase their wares on an international platform to reach international media and buyers. With this opportunity, they are hoping to garner more brand recognition as well as gain more stockists.
   Co-designer Sarah-Jane Abraham says that Surface Too Deep has planned a ‘pretty special’ range but needs the help of supporters to make sure that the label can show at Sydney.
   This will be an amazing opportunity for both these young women and you can help them fulfil their dreams by pledging at www.pledgeme.co.nz/845.—Jack Yan, Publisher, and Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor

Above Jewellery from KE Design and artwork by Tai and Kaaterina Kerekere, showing currently at Thistle Hall, Wellington. Below An image from Surface Too Deep, as shown in Lucire issue 29.

Louise Hatton

Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

For husband-and-wife team Dan and Emma Johnstone, design has always run deep within their blood, Dan with a background in graphics and Emma in fashion. So like all great things it was inevitable they would join forces. Their creation is the newly founded label Falvé (Emma’s maiden name).
   Although a young label, having just formed in the latter part of 2012, the idea of doing a menswear brand was always something the pair was dreaming about when they had met years earlier. Their focus was to design a range that men needed, something else in the market that was not only well designed but also affordable.
   Their freshmen autumn–winter range of T-shirts, tailored shirts and chinos with a carefully curated accessories’ line of bow ties, matching pocket squares, leather card holders and wallets is not only well edited but also beautifully handcrafted, something that is often lacking in emerging labels. Other pieces will be added along the way as the brand grows.
   The attention to detail is evident in the high-quality finishing of the garments, beautiful top-stitching on their shirts, individually hand-sewn buttons, removable collar stays for all their shirting, and bias-bound seaming on all tailored trousers. Old-world tailoring techniques refined for a modern age. From the carefully selected fabric choices to the swing tags, everything about this brand speaks of a casual elegance perfect for any generation to wear, as evident from the wide range of guests that attended the intimate showing at the pair’s workroom.
   Favourites from the collection were the Collectors shirt, a classic white shirt in a fine cotton shirting with herringbone pattern, and all French-seamed. The Transmission T-shirt is another favourite, crafted from the finest Tencel; the Missoni-like zig-zag print is not only gorgeous to touch but out-there enough for even those who are not so brave. The Chalmers trousers are also a must-have in your wardrobe, fashioned from a cherry red cotton spandex. These are beautifully cut for the fashion-conscious, not too slim and not too wide—it is the perfect relaxed cut for either dressing up with one of the label’s shirts or dressing down with a casual T. The bias-bound seaming on the cuff of the trouser is a little clever touch: when the cuff is folded up, no horrible over-locking is seen, an interesting take on the roll-up cuff.
   The collection is well priced with accessories such as pocket squares and bow ties ranging from NZ$25 to NZ$51. T-shirts start at NZ$76 and shirts from NZ$190.
   Falvé also creates beautiful leather cardholders and wallets, all hand-made and hand-stitched by Dan in their small workroom.
   The level of design, attention to detailing and fashion-forward pieces should appeal to a wide market. Their passion is evident; if the duo keeps this up, a bright future is most definitely on the horizon for them.
   Falvé can be purchased online through www.falve.co.nz.—Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor

Nikita Brown/Nikita Brown Photography

Matthew Beveridge/Matthew Beveridge Photography

Otago Polytechnic graduate Rakel Blom won the ID International Emerging Designer Awards last night in Dunedin, with a collection that tapped into the Zeitgeist of global communities and cross-cultural connections.
   Blom, who originally hails from Iceland, told Lucire, ‘My biggest passion is travelling,’ and that she had ventured through Asia and Europe before studying in New Zealand.
   That passion saw her design seven garments, one for each continent, although only five were required by the competition. Consequently, Oceania and Antarctica were omitted.
   The collection was called The World through My Eyes, and featured prints with designs representing each continent. It had been inspired both by travel and textiles. Judges called it ‘eclectic and joyful, sleek, chic and professional, with intricate detailing and true depth.’
   In a release, Assoc Prof Karen Webster, guest judge for the competition, said, ‘It absolutely had the “wow factor” but also real depth. There was incredible intricate detailing, including hand-made buttons, stars cut out of Perspex mixed with bold inspirational prints. The collection was a discovery waiting to be made.’
   Blom speaks highly of her Alma Mater but despite the win, which includes a NZ$5,000 prize from Peroni, she says her next focus is to ‘find a job.’
   Blom’s collection was the crowd favourite at the Edgar Sports Centre, helped by the support of a local crowd. She competed with designers from Ireland, England, China and Australia.
   Judge Stephen Jones, OBE, the famed milliner, said that the key themes for the evening were ‘diversity, globalism and everything made to a perfect degree.’
   The 1,300-strong audience included two High Commissioners and a consul, cheering on the UK, Australia and China. It was hosted by Shannon Ryan.
   China’s contribution also included 10 international models from the University of Shanghai Engineering Science. Aliana McDaniel led the make-up team backstage for Revlon.
   A full report from ID Dunedin Fashion Week will follow in Lucire.—Jack Yan, Publisher

Winners
Peroni 1st Place Prize (NZ$5,000): Rakel Blom, School of Design, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Caffè L’Affarè 2nd Place (NZ$3,000 cash): Emma Boseley, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.
Strawberry Sound 3rd Place (NZ$1,000 cash): Kathleen Choo, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Dunedin’s Golden Centre Mall Prize (NZ$1,000) for the most commercial collection: Blathnaid McClean, National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin, Ireland.
Global Fabrics Award for Excellence in Design (NZ$1,000 cash and a NZ$2,000 voucher): Sohong Lim, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Matthew Beveridge/Matthew Beveridge Photography

Top From Rembrandt, the navy pinstripe Cooper-Lotus suit with blue neat Metropolis shirt, striped Italian silk tie, paisley silk pocket square, and 1950s mother-of-pearl tie bar. Above Charcoal mouline Hawke-Lotus suit, with teal Fairlie V-neck jersey, white Metropolis shirt, bottle green Italian silk tie, and silver silk pocket square.

One of New Zealand’s great names in menswear, Rembrandt, has turned up the style quotient for autumn–winter 2013.
   The story for the season is in fabrics, with the company sourcing from the top mills around the world. Key looks include its Hawke-Lotus charcoal mouliné two-piece suit; and its charcoal and blue check Nicholson jacket and vest. There is more of an Italian cut to the season’s looks, rather fitting given the Italian wools used. The Rembrandt Miramar jacket, meanwhile, has internal trims and details from Liberty of London.
   Wayward Heir, the company’s bolder, fashion-forward label, also has a sophisticated autumn–winter season. However, the design team tells more of a story, basing its theme around a storybook of yesteryear, ‘walking through a haunted forest on an eerie winter’s night,’ says the company. There are warmer colours (oranges and maroons) as one saw in the ready-to-wear collections in London and Paris, in contrast to the traditional navies, greys and blacks at Rembrandt.
   Highlights include a cobweb lapel pin and a camouflage under-collar. Wayward Heir’s Bilbo jacket features mismatched buttons, while the Marlon jacket has elbow patches and leather buttons. The Fleetwood Mac suit is another highlight that the brand is proud of for this season.

Top At Wayward Heir, the Fleetwood Mac suit and Brooklyn shirt. Centre Marlon jacket and Brooklyn shirt. Above Bilbo jacket and Brooklyn shirt.