SHOWcase 2015

 Trelise Cooper and ES Design

This weekend, I had a very interesting evening on Saturday night. Several days ago via email, I was asked to be at a particular bus stop in the city at a certain time. I didn't have many details apart from the email, which came from a source called SHOWcase and the various sponsors that were attached. I recognised many well known brands and Wellington businesses. Intrigued.
When I arrived at the allocated location, there were several buses waiting with their windows blocked out - we were off to a mystery site for a special event. By the end of the evening, I learnt that SHOWcase 2015 was Wellington's new premier design show and that they "believe Design is something you feel and fashion is the way we live."
So there I was along with over a hundred people exploring SHOWcase in a isolated building in Shelley Bay, looking at a series of conceptual exhibits with a focus on designer collaboration and creative community. This event was followed by a fashion runway experience by Zambesi. What a great way to spend Saturday night! This is the first time SHOWcase was exposed and it was a memorable evening.  I look forward to seeing how this event expands in the future. It's a true celebration of professionals who bring the standard of art, design and fashion in Wellington and it can only get better.

Skandi

Empire of Genius and HMS Design.

Ziggurat

Highnoontea and Freedom Furniture

Mandatory and Bo Concept

Zambesi show in action

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

Gregory Wellington Store Opening

Here's a recent and stylish addition to Wellington fashion scene. In the heart of city, fashion brand, Gregory has re-opened their doors in a new location and with a new fit out. Gregory is known for their clean silhouettes and attention to detail, and they aspire to create garments that have a timeless quality. So it should be no surprise that the creative director and the design team of Gregory designed the new retail space with the same ethos they use to create their clothing range.
"We still strongly believe that the traditional bricks and mortar, in-store shopping experience is an integral part of the business and allows us to set ourselves apart from the competition". A lofty space with exposed ceiling and large windows, this store continues the Gregory palette of concrete, marble, brass and glass that is found in all of their stores. This inviting and calming space includes statement furnishings, natural materials and splashes of greenery to create an luxury shopping experience for the Gregory customer. Lovely.

Photographs via Gregory.

Dior and I

Last night I visited my local movie theatre to see 'Dior and I' and I remembered when I posted about the stunning flower rooms that was created for Raf Simons' first haute couture collection for Christian Dior in 2012. I was amazed by the beautiful set - and you can watch the video which showed how these rooms came together (in two days!) at my original post here.
The movie, 'Dior and I' was released earlier this year and is a privileged behind-the-scenes documentary of the newly appointed artistic director, Raf Simons and the dedicated Dior team who work together to bring about this collection. It is a great insight to the creative process and I was jealous of the wonderful team that Raf had at his fingers to create his visions - how lovely would that be! If you're interested in fashion, flowers, creativity, Paris, team work, stylish people, the design process, clever people, working under pressure - then this is a film worth seeing.



 

You can watch the movie trailer here:

Animal Vegetables for Crane Brothers

Sterling silver garnet pin by Crane Brothers Jewellery

I was reading a fashion magazine over the weekend and came across a wonderful animal vegetable advertisement by Auckland artist Richard Orjis for the new Crane Brothers Jewellery range for men. Clever, simple and so effective.

Tie bar

Checkered silver cuff links

Silver sphere cuff links

Sterling silver and onyx cuff links

Photographs via Crane Brothers.