This column brings you updates on the latest in Industry News: what’s new in fashion and style locally in New Zealand, in February 2015. First up, it’s amazing to see three local labels launch new doors. It’s so great in general to see stores opening instead of closing – and these store openings are from such iconic brands, so it’s especially exciting.

FASHION NEWS

Juliette Hogan 

Juliette Hogan goes from strength to strength with the opening of her third store in Newmarket, joining her locations already in Britomart and Ponsonby. The beautiful new store opens early March at 2 – 8 Osborne Lane, Newmarket, Auckland. You can see our photos from her NZ Fashion Week 2014 show of her 2015 Winter collection here on Thread.co.nz and shop it now on her website, juliettehogan.com.

Jane Daniels

A stalwart of the NZ fashion industry, Jane Daniels is launching her AW15 collection with the opening of their new Ponsonby store, at 63 Ponsonby Road. Pictured above: a coat from their SS14 collection.

Caroline Sills – Sills & Co 

I vividly remember my mother having some part time work assembling Caroline Sills knitwear when I was at high school many years ago, and this label has a strong connection with many over the years. Knitwear is of course just a part of the label, with tops, coats and dresses and it is stocked at numerous locations nationwide. Caroline is now opening a store with Caroline’s label and the diffusion label Sills alongside Isaac + Lulu. The store will be located at 220b Jervois Road in Herne Bay, Auckland.

Hudson in O’Connell Street

As a high-end women’s fashion boutique it offers an array of overseas brands including Ioanna Kourbela from Greece and Wizard Jeans from London. They offer top-notch service with stylists in-store to help you with everything from your working wardrobe through to casual resort wear. If you’re too busy to come and visit they will deliver to your home or office. They will also open after hours if you want to shop in a relaxed manner with a glass of bubbles. Owner and ex-TV journalist, Jacquie Hudson is excited about being part of the vibe of such a unique part of the city and offering women a relaxed but sophisticated aesthetic. She worked with architect and good friend Julian Guthrie from Godward Guthrie Architecture to get a gorgeous, clean-luxe feel to the interior.

hudson 3 O’Connell Street, Auckland City 09 307 0670 www.shophudson.co.nz

A Darker Eden 

Photo by Nicola Clark.

The very fabulous New Zealand Fashion Museum has been having some incredible exhibitions celebrating NZ socio-cultural history through fashion and this latest one is no different. A Darker Eden brings to the light (see what I did there) some of the darker pieces of our fashion lore – namely, those from the deep south, from Dunedin. Home to some of our iconic labels such as NOM*d, Mild Red and Tanya Carlson, and the home of iD Dunedin Fashion Week, Dunedin has a rich fashion heritage in our country. The public can visit this exhibition on in Auckland’s Silo 6 at Wynyard Quarter until Sunday 1 March from noon until 6pm, with a late night on Friday until 9pm. Entry by donation.

Penny Sage & Sherie Muijs Studio Sale 

There is a sale of Penny Sage & Sherie Muijs fashion on Saturday 28th February 2015 at 6a Kirk Street Arch Hill Auckland of these amazing local labels. Get in quick. Cash only.

The beautiful new Mi Piaci store on Ponsonby Road (by MAC and Storm) was the venue for the media reveal of the Autumn Winter 2015 styles over wine and cheese. Key trends included the masculine look still going strong, with loafers an brogues and flats in contrasting leathers such as pony hair and also a mock-croc leather print. Colour-wise, black was of course the leading colour with a gorgeous deep blue leather and a dark green shade too. Buckles and zips added an equestrian flair, and even tassels decorated the fronts of shoes. Ankle boots with heels were another strong look. There are so many stunning styles from Mi Piaci and Overland this AW15 season, you must get in and see them instore and online at www.mipiaci.co.nz soon.

BEAUTY NEWS

Kiekie Stanners of MAC 

Kiekie Stanners of MAC has been appointed M·A·C Senior Artist, New Zealand and will travel to the international runway shows where makeup trends are created. Congratulations, Kiekie! 

Photo below by Thread at MAC Trends February 2015.

Estée Lauder online 

Estée Lauder announced this week that Smith & Caughey’s is their first e-commerce partner in New Zealand. Now placing your order of our iconic best-selling must-haves is just a click away via www.smithandcaugheys.co.nz

Ecostore Good Soap 

Great idea- an alternative to chocolates for school fundraising, Ecostorenz has developed Good Soap For A Good Cause. The natural soap bars sell for $2.50 of which $1 is kept by the schools for fundraising. Nice one, Ecostore!

Schick Lady Garden 

We attended a ‘Schick Lady Garden’ lunch on Monday at Odette’s Eatery at City Works Depot, to make floral masterpieces with amazing florist Annie Oxborough, and launch the Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle bikini line razor. Almost half of all women aged 18 – 34 years old remove bikini hair two or more times each week, year round – proving that bikini area maintenance is not just a summer-time habit!

Essence cosmetics 

Good news for fans of bargain makeup as Essence Cosmetics has reached New Zealand, only at Farmers, priced around $2 to $7.

Megan Robinson
26th February 2015