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On my desk: Fashion 12/12

On my desk: Fashion 12/12 December 11, 2012Trendwatch0 Comments

I feature what’s new with a fashion slant in this 12/12 edition of ‘On my Desk’ including books on Grace Coddington and Vivienne Westwood, Hideseekers, Holly Howe, Artery, and Goodsocks…

I feature what’s new with a fashion slant in this December 2012 edition of ‘On my Desk’ including books on Grace Coddington and Vivienne Westwood, and locals Hideseekers, Holly Howe Jewellery, Artery Apparel and Goodsocks…

First up, fashion books – my guilty (not so secret) pleasure.

‘Westwood’, curated by fashion photographer Terry Richardson, redefines the phrase ‘coffee table book’ as it could practically BE a coffee table, it’s so big. Definitely not ‘light bedtime reading’ by any means, ‘Westwood’ is visually stunning because it uses its large size to showcase photos one-to-a-page, rather than split them up two or more to a page. They look epic. It takes the reader on a journey of punk’s grandmother and iconic fashion designer from the 1980s to today with all her famous moments. She really is incredible and spawned today’s greats including Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, and Rodarte among others. This beautiful Taschen hardcover book retails at $75 from December 2012 through New Holland Publishers.

‘Grace: A memoir’ is a biography from Vogue’s Grace Coddington, written after The September Issue made her an instantly recognised and much-loved fashion star to the world’s public. When this book came out, I saw a Tweet from Colin Mathura-Jeffree saying he "just received this and was looking forward to reading it" and I replied that I’d begun and "found it fascinating and hadn’t even got to the fashion bits yet!" It’s true; it is an absorbing read as a recollection of the times in post-war England and then Cool Britannia in the Swinging Sixties before it even gets to all the famous names and designers. It is compelling reading for anyone even remotely interested in fashion and the industry surrounding it. I adored her down to earth manner of writing, and the whimsical pen illustrations by her of her life and lovers, as well as the full colour photographs of Vogue editorial she shot and photos she starred in as a young model. Grace: A Memoir is published by Random House New Zealand.

The amazing shoe e-tailer Styletread.co.nz has offered Thread.co.nz readers a nice discount. You can get $15 off orders over $79.95 with the coupon code at checkout SHOES98398 So get shopping! Details: The $15 voucher in AUD is valid until 31st December 2012 midnight Sydney time. The voucher is valid on full priced items only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash redemption possible. Minimum order amount pre discount: $79.95 AUD incl. GST. This one time offer is off the total invoice amount. Please enter the voucher code SHOES98398 during checkout and click "Apply Voucher".

Isn’t it fantastic when local artists and designers pool their talents and get creative in actually producing something for the market? I got some very cool Artery Apparel leggings from artist Zoe Ella and her collective of Wellington artists that produce designs in limited runs of 100 under the name Artery Apparel. You can buy them online at www.arteryapparel.com for $115 and they come with a numbered signed card.

This leather tassel came from Hideseekers, a ‘luxury basics’ line from ex-Working Style and Helen Cherry employee, Paula Murphy. Hideseekers is a lovely pun on hide-and-seek and seeking hide, as it includes leather pieces as well as cotton, cashmere and silk. After raising a young family, and a label SIM in early 2000, Paula has launched www.Hideseekers.com for "urban gypsies."

Below: Sonia Gray (TV presenter), Jules Armishaw (make-up artist; stylist) & Paula Murphy (designer – Hideseekers) at the opening party of WORKSHOP Outlet. Photo Diane Pantoja for Thread.co.nz

These charming ‘Madeleine’ socks in tangerine are by Sweet Marcel Socks from Goodsocks Ltd, a family business based in the Wairarapa run by Maeve Finnegan. She chooses the best socks from around the world from Sweden to Oregon to bring them to discerning New Zealand sock shoppers. For more info see www.goodsocks.co.nz

Above and below: The talented young New Zealand jewellery designer Holly Howe has launched a mini collection in-between seasons to the market, which Thread thinks is a stellar idea. Holly tells us about it. "The idea behind Little By Little is that it is a preview to my major collection that will be out next March/April 2013." We agree with Holly that with other massive brands out there, it is sometimes very hard to compete for attention – especially without a PR agency promoting you – so a mini collection can keep your brand fresh in the public arena, and test the market for the up-coming collection. Here are some of Holly Howe’s lovely pieces in ‘Little By Little’. For where to buy see Holly Howe on Thread or www.facebook.com/hollyhowecollectionsjewellery.