On My Desk October 2012

On My Desk for late October 2012 brings you what’s new coming across my desk, in product releases, fashion industry news, launches, invites and goody bags…

On My Desk for late October 2012 brings you what’s new coming across my desk, in product releases, fashion industry news, launches, invites and goody bags…

The prettiest PR delivery of the week was these pink peonies in a vase of pink grapefruit slices, for the release of Neutrogena acne range with pink grapefruit. The oil-free acne wash has been re-released with a pink grapefruit fragrance and a rose coloured hue. $16.99 from pharmacies, supermarkets and department stores.

I went along to the BLOC Party at Bo Concept’s homeware stores on Thursday 18th October to check out the range of interior stores that have grouped as a one-stop-shop for all things beautiful in design. There’s WORLD Beauty, Pencil Boutique (owned by WORLD’s daughter Pebbles Hooper), Cool Food cafe, Collected by LeeAnn Yare, and Citta Design all on the top floor, and Bo Concept on the ground floor. I especially enjoyed the shortbread biscuit by ‘Two Smart Cookies’ from Cool Food catering, in the goody bag, below.

Cutest invite goes to Esteem Jewellery’s single earring to bring for its match at an Yvonne Bennetti showcase next Tuesday 23rd.

What’s less stressful than relaxing floating in a pool? This giant pink Havaianas inflatable came with vitamins attached this week, as GO Healthy introduced a Go B Complex; a natural energy booster with a full spectrum of 8 essential B Vitamins. $25.90 for 30 vegecaps from pharmacies, health stores and www.gohealthynz.co.nz

FITforever, a gymwear collection by former Ms Glamour NZ title holder Kerry Ratcliff, invited fashion and lifestyle media to a workout at Ludus Magnus on Friday 19th. The workout session was scene for the launch of Body for Women ZOTRIM, a non-medical weight loss product from Body for Women, a protein range that’s now available in New Zealand. See www.bodyscience.co.nz for stockists.

In the world of fashion, online shopping is seeing phenomenal growth stats and a new sale site to enter the local NZ market from Australia is brandsExclusive.co.nz. It has ever-changing specials in a wide variety of areas from women’s and men’s wear to homewear, accessories, shoes, baby toys, and children’s wear. This week Sass and Bide, Gucci and Finnigan Swimwear (to name a few) have featured on the site. Allow yourself some time as it gets quite addictive!

An incredibly classy site just launched is the elegant fashion e-store, VelvetLane.com.au, with designer labels including New Zealand brands Trelise Cooper and Karen Walker Eyewear on board. It is an Australian website with a focus of being like your favourite destination boutique street that you would wander down to shop – all on one site. It is a clean and attractive site that Thread found really easy to navigate around. It has new stock as opposed to being last season’s sale stock, although it does also have a sale section with great specials.

Trilogy have dressed their popular Everything Balm up in candy stripes for Christmas. Buy one as a gift and get one for yourself. I used mine through pregnancy and still have it; it goes for ages. Everything Balm $24.90 45ml at Farmers, and selected stores nationwide.

MODELCO held an event Tuesday 16th to celebrate their gorgeous new range of tanning products in distinctive hot pink and white. Below: MODELCO Gradual Tan, SuperTan Instant Self-Tan, Tan Away removal mitt, and Face Tan hydrating self-tanning gel for the face.

Kathryn Wilson is flavour of the month right now (as she is most months) and for many good reasons. We attended her completely fabulous charity art auction for Ronald McDonald House last month. The Italian hair company (which I use myself) Davines is joining forces with the stylish shoe designer as an ambassador to the brand. Her swimwear colab with Emma Ford is now out in stores for the summer season. And, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Queenstown, the Hilton is celebrating Central Otago’s 150th gold anniversary fashionably, with an exclusive promotion where from 15 October to 7 November 2012 every guest of Hilton Queenstown’s eforea: spa can enter to win a pair of Kathryn Wilson shoes with a metallic gold heel.

Don’t let me scare you, but Christmas is coming! The first media pack heralding Christmas festivities arrived this week announcing a weekend festival 9-11th November called Newmarket Festival. Newmarket’s businesses are always quite organised in their PR and very fashion-oriented and often hold street parties and fashion shows for the public – both in the Westfield-owned Nuffield and 277 areas and on the independent Broadway-Osborne-Teed Streets areas. Now, Newmarket businesses are joining forces with Kiwi artists, singers and fashion industry figures for an exciting weekend of art, culture, fashion and food. Entry to Newmarlet Festival is free with $50 spend at participating businesses. See www.newmarket.co.nz for more info.

Yes, the Silly Seaon’s here and there are lots of invites rolling out for the party season. Despite the recession, there seems to be lots on worth getting out of the warm house for. Let’s just hope the weather holds. We’re looking forward to Akira Isogawa’s colab with Designer Rugs and his Resort 2013 show at Nathan Club, M.A.C’s Hit the Pavement party, Ellerslie Races’ summer season, The Whips n Spurs spring party at Ellerslie, ROOKIE grad show for AUT fashion graduates, I Love Ugly opening at The Department Store, Ingrid Starnes and Tessuti Newmarket launch party, running (slowly, while puffing) with Nike and singer Ellie Goulding, and Brancott Estate wine tasting and lunch, all in the next couple of weeks. We’ll keep you posted, until then, check out Thread.co.nz on Facebook and Twitter @threadnz for daily news and updates.

Megan Robinson 20 October 2012