We Heart Christchurch

Walking through the streets of Wellington I'm taken by the local support for Christchurch.  It's warming and I wanted to share these quick snaps with you...

What can we do to help? Make a donation to the New Zealand Red Cross. Thinking of you Chch, mb

Smother Me

Blanket Protection by Victoria McIntosh

Welcome to Wellington!  Time for a long weekend catching up with old friends, wining, dining and indulging in a few NZ Fringe Festival events.

First on the list:  Smother, an exhibition of fibre based art by Dunedin jeweler Victoria McIntosh.  mb

Call Waiting

The Gaugin Gown Jo Torr 2001

I remember the 1995 opening of the Auckland Art Gallery's NEW Gallery, an exciting time with space dedicated to contemporary art.  Not to mention the flash new much-talked-about restaurant below: Paramount.

Fast forward 16 years and it's time to reflect.  What better way to do so than visiting the gallery's retrospective exhibition Call Waiting: A Celebration of the NEW Gallery 1995-2011.  Time for a trip down memory lane... mb

Not So Distant Shores

Karen Walker Pussy Bow Cotton Blouse & Marle Boat Pants

I'm home in New Zealand for couple of very good reasons: my Mum's 60th birthday and my nephew's 4th birthday.  It's celebration time all round!

Not to mention the impending 'change of season', we all know what that means... change of fashion.  Oh, yes.

My wish list?  It's just begun, but I'm thinking good quality fitted knits, 60's style stovepipe pants and some new boots in order.  For now, beginning to browse and where better to start that Karen Walker's A/W11 Southern Hemisphere collection.  mb

Zambesi For A Good Cause

Zambesi Solar Silk Tulle Sequin Dress RRP$915

Australia's been slammed with a string of disasters of late, as most of you will know.  I've been supporting the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal in a number of ways, such as pledging funds, donating goods and encouraging others.

My latest little show of support is a big win:win... dozens of designers donated items for a charity auction and guess what?  I'm the proud winner of this spectacular Zambesi cocktail dress!!!  Very very happy.  Most excited because Zambesi is well up my list of favourite designers, not to mention they hail from my home town of Auckland, New Zealand.  And, of course... it's all for a good cause.  mb

Fly Away With Me

Thousand Paper Crane Project begins to unfold

Just a few days in the life of the Uniform Project

 Who can resist interactive creativity?  It's one thing to commit to an ongoing project, like A Collection a Day (which I very much enjoyed), yet quite another to rely upon your audience for success.

My favourite so far is The Uniform Project, where Sheena Mathieken wore the same dress every day for a year in a completely different way.  Not only did she triumph, over $100,000 was raised to support her chosen cause: The Akanksha Foundation, which provides education to children living in Indian slums. Wow.

I've thrown my hat in the ring for the Thousand Paper Crane Project, where Rich Greenhagen has devised a 1,000 word love letter, written each word on a piece of paper, folded it into a paper crane and is posting them out to volunteers all over the world.  Once received, participants reveal the word in a photograph sent back to the artist, who posts them in their correct order until the entire love letter is revealed.  I must admit... it's good old fashioned romance that's reeled me in.  mb

The Art of Fashion

Have I been busy with custom orders!  Here's a sneak peek at the shortlist of ideas for a client in Tennessee... soon to be a long silk satin kaftan with red brocade obi tie belt.  mb