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.

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

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

Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Paris editor Lola Saab will have a full report from the ready-to-wear shows during Paris Fashion Week later, but, for now, it’s Collette Dinnigan who has provided us with a comprehensive look at her autumn–winter 2013–14 range.
   Called The Incredible Darkness of Being, Dinnigan tells a story of a woman who lives a ‘quiet albeit stylish life’, with a collection that revels in details and intricacy. She is modest, with plainness and rightness, according to the show notes, but there’s also a ‘deep sexuality’. The colour palette features a base of olive, blues and black, with sky blue and red as highlights.
   Materials included wool, of which Dinnigan showed great mastery, leather, French lace, and sequins. There was a strong sense of shape and structure in a luxe collection of separates and dresses.
   The collection was shown at the Royal Suite of the Hôtel le Meurice and Dinnigan had partnered with Woolmark on the collection.
   It is Dinnigan’s first collection since becoming a mother to her four-month-old son, Hunter.
   Meanwhile, we have video highlights from other designers at Paris: Lanvin, Issey Miyake, Viktor & Rolf and John Galliano. Scroll down past Dinnigan’s photos for the four videos.

Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Lanvin

Issey Miyake

Viktor & Rolf

John Galliano

Top Gemma Arterton arrives at the Australian première of Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Above Josefin Gustafsson won Monday night’s challenge on Top Model Sverige, and will model for Panos Emporio.

The Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters première circuit has hit Sydney, NSW, where stars Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner, along with writer–director Tommy Wirkola and producer Kevin Messick, were in attendance at Event Cinemas on George Street.
   Reviews for the film have continued to be mixed.
   The Australian push is intended to help with the film’s global box office, with an expectation that fans might be more receptive than in the US and Europe.
   Russia was the first market to show the film.
   Meanwhile, Josefin Gustafsson was revealed as the winner of the Panos Emporio swimwear modelling gig on last night’s Top Model Sverige.
   The challenge on the TV show saw Panos Emporio founder and designer Panos Papadopoulos head to Los Angeles late last year, working alongside America’s Next Top Model judge and photographer Nigel Barker.
   Despite some inside knowledge, the final result was kept secret from us until we learned of Gustafsson’s win at the same time as the TV3 audience in Sweden on Monday night.
   Episodes can be viewed on demand at www.tv3.se/node/13202. Panos makes his appearance 16 minutes in to the second episode of the current season.

Collette Dinnigan’s lingerie just got more luxurious, moving it from her diffusion label Collette by Collette Dinnigan into the high end that her original brand encapsulates.
   The autumn–winter 2013 collection is made from French Leavers lace and silk, with intricate lace trims and velvet bows.
   Shown here are the animal-print Blue Chic, Enchanté, the C’est Soir chemises, and the Silk Trousseau designs that form part of the range.
   Key styles include the balconette and contour bras, bikini briefs, boy briefs, suspenders, chemises, bustiers, full briefs and G-strings. The line also includes Dinnigan’s bridal lingerie range.
   Prices begin at A$29·95 for G-strings, A$39·95 for bras, A$44·95 for suspenders, A$150 for bustiers and A$199 for silk chemises, says the company.
   Some items are available now, with others to be launched by February. The entire collection will be available at David Jones and online at shop.collettedinnigan.com.au.

Above Olivia Newton-John at G’day USA’s Los Angeles event in 2011.

The 10th anniversary G’day USA Los Angeles black-tie gala, part of the annual event celebrating Australia in the US, will see Golden Globe nominees Hugh Jackman and Glenn Close join Olivia Newton-John at the J. W. Marriott at LA Live on January 12. Awards will be presented to Paul Hogan, Rose Byrne and John Travolta.
   Elle Macpherson and Richard Wilkins will co-MC the event.
   Entertainment will include performances by Jessica Mauboy (The Sapphires), Jack Vidgen, David Campbell, didgeridoo player William Barton and the Qantas Choir. Photographer Wayne Quilliam will provide imagery to accompany the performances.
   Past honorees, including Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Simon Baker, Mel Gibson, Toni Colette, Keith Urban, Anthony LaPaglia, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Air Supply and Luc Longley will attend.
   Australian chef Curtis Stone is preparing an Australian-inspired dinner.
   The event, with 1,000 guests, has already been sold out.
   Seven cities participate in G’day USA (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York, Chicago, Houston and Boston) bringing together events promoting business, government, environment, innovation, culture and tourism. The events are produced by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Qantas Airways, Tourism Australia and Austrade.

Occasionally, things come in, but, because it’s a heavy news day, we can’t get to it. For example, the EK Ekcessories’ items that went on sale in the UK late last year, but in fact, might be slightly more useful for the antipodean summer right now.
   Motorhead Ed Kalbach started a ski shop in Logan, Utah but, in the American entrepreneurial way, has grown his business to carry over 7,000 outdoor accessories. The item that caught our eyes was the Dri Cat case, albeit for the Iphone 4 and 4S presently. It’s a waterproof case with lanyard that allows you to use your Iphone at the beach or in the rain, and the silicone shield still lets you touch the on-screen buttons. It retails at £24·99.
   For stockists, call 44 1634 201-284; the products can also be found at www.ekekcessories.co.uk.
   Storm’s scented candles, meanwhile, have gone on sale with vanilla, whiskey and fig, and grapefruit and lime flavours, ideal for summer, retailing in New Zealand for NZ$49. There’s more information at www.stormonline.co.nz.
   Meanwhile, we know OPI gets us looking at nails regularly, but what about your feet? Its Feet range includes its Double Coverage (NZ$29·90), Callus Therapy (NZ$39·90) and a lacquer called Last Friday Night from its Katy Perry collection (NZ$24·90).
   In travel news, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff, NSW (20 minutes south of the Gold Coast Airport and 30 minutes drive from Byron Bay) is offering a summer special till March 29, including accommodation in a one-bedroom Spa suite, buffet breakfast for two at Season restaurant, full use of resort leisure facilities and unlimited in-room movies and wifi from A$188 per couple per night, with a minimum three night stay (some conditions apply and subject to availability). There’s more information at www.peppers.com.au.
   Meanwhile, in the main part of the website today: Elyse Glickman and Elva Zevallos look back at GBK’s 2012 American Music Awards lounge, where funds were raised for Hurricane Sandy and the American Red Cross.