Chalkydigits doing it sustainably...

OK, you know we love the planet and we love labels that love the planet. Those cool kids over at Chalkydigits have just been nominated for yet another award! Yep, helping to preserve the native birds species on Chalky Island, Fiordland, has earned them a nomination for a Sustainable Business Network award. 


They're up for the Sustainable Design and Innovation Award for their project to restore the South Island robin to Chalky Island in Fiordland. In 2009, Chalkydigits designed and produced a pin badge in the likeness of the robin from salvaged materials and sold them through participating retail stores. Neither chalkydigits nor the participating retailers profited from the sales of these badges so all proceeds raised could be used to fund the transfer of the robin which took place in March this year.


Chalkydigits' Liz Collins told us they were 'delighted to be recognised for their conservation work, especially in this, the International Year of Biodiversity', and wished to thank the Fiordland Conservation Trust, participating retailers and of course, all those that purchased one of the badges and ultimately made the project successful. So well done all!


The aim of the Chalky Island Project was to provide a safe haven for the cheeky South Island Robin that has seen declining numbers on the mainland in recent years in addition to protecting the biodiversity of the island sanctuary, which is home to some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. Chalky Island has been pest-free since 1990 and now plays host to Mohua, Tieke, Little Spotted Kiwi, Kakariki and even in the past, kakapo. 


Chalkydigits have also promised to get their summer collection to us soon so we can share some great new threads with you!

AGATHA Paris boutique turns 1 year old!

Auckland shoppers get the chance to take part in a giant game of pass the parcel this week to celebrate the AGATHA Paris fashion jewellery boutique's first birthday.

With over 300 boutiques around the world, the first AGATHA boutique in Australasia located at the Top of Vulcan Lane has brought affordable fashion jewellery to 1000's of New Zealand women.

Through out this week any one that goes into the boutique will get to unwrap a layer of the AGATHA 'pass the parcel' packed with special treats inside the layers and a piece of AGATHA jewellery for the lucky winner.

Everyone that purchases in store during this special birthday week will get a $50 Claire Barker voucher and go into the draw to win $500 of AGATHA jewellery. Anyone that spends over $200 receives a FREE AGATHA Scottie USB drive.

There is so much going on at AGATHA Paris fashion jewellery boutique at the Top of Vulcan Lane, go check it out…

OK and we're gonna get in on it too! The AGATHA crew have given us the cutest pair of Scottie Dog hair clips to give away. Just email us at agatha@fashiongurunz.com, tell us which city inspires your style and why. We'll pick a winner on the 11th November. Don't forget to tell us your address!

Love y'all. Peace out. M+M

Urbanmaori - pure street

We saw them at Fashion Week and we loved them... Urbanmaori.   The brainchild of designer/director/artist and all round genius Kereama Taepa.  He tells us his work is about making art "accessible for everyone".

The brand name Urbanmaori is based on the Maori word 'waimaori' meaning fresh water.  And so Urbanmaori translates as pure street - cool huh? The crew tell us that it's made from two words, one Maori and one English, and is the core of their direction.  It is not just Maori, it is not just pakeha; it is both.

The design aesthetic of urbanmaori fuses customary Maori motif with contemporary iconography one would see around town, on the T.V.  or the internet – the visual language of popular culture.  The idea is that the world around us now is what we live, and our cultural design should reflect this.  It is sometimes beautiful and is also sometimes controversial just like our history. And we like it! In fact, we love it.

The collection features tees and scarfed sweatshirts adorned with prints of the smiley face with a moko, a pac-man ghost with a moko, the autobot icon with a moko (transformers) and a spin on the popular space invaders game where the ship is a whare nui and the aliens are the popes hat; to reference the missionaries, the crown; to reference the signing of the treaty with the crown, and the beehive; referencing the current government. You can also play a version of the game on their website at www.urbanmaori.com/spacies.html

So now you've seen it and you want it (to steal a line from a video we made last year), where to get the threads... Get yourself to www.urbanmaori.com and check out all the gear, order yourself some stuff and let NZ Post do the hard work of getting it to you! Thanks again to Red Cow Girl for the pics. We love you long time. M+M

Salasai, Fluorescent Adolescence

OK, so today we've been feeling a little uninspired at Fashion Guru. Whether it's the weather not kicking into summer, or just a general malaise, we're not sure. Luckily when we're seeking inspiration, our Facebook fans are ready to suggest it. Thanks Austin Lowe for reminding us of the stunning threads that are Salasai!

 Established in 2006 by designer Kirsha Whitcher, Salasai has fast gained a reputation as being a major player in New Zealand fashion, known for its effortlessly cool and sophisticated codes on dressing, created with the modern woman in mind. Reckless teenagers in love form the backbone of Salasai's spring/summer collection, Fluorescent Adolescence.

Inspired by classic 1950s juvenile delinquent films like Lost, Lonely and Vicious, Rebel Without a Cause and The Wild One, the collection focuses on subtle surface decoration, detailing and texture such as knitted leather, denim mini polka dot's, draped sleeves, holes in knitwear, cut out detailing and a hand-drawn roses with thorns print; all a modern and sophisticated take on young rebellious romance. 

Like the changes of real life adolescence, the collection signifies a fresh direction for the label capturing simplicity of structure, personality and clean colour. The brand's signature unassuming and nonchalant aesthetic continues, with volume, draping and texture in subtle shades of white, beige, black, and denim blue.

Check out the full collection on their website. You'll find their gear at stockists all over the place.

XO M+M

Sharon Paris pour Schu

You know Sharon Paris of Paris House does great wallets and stuff. 

Check out what she's doing for shoes....

Want to know more? 

Paris House website

Paris House on Facebook

Chocolate Schubar

Painted. me, Katie-maree Cole launches her first directional collection

After receiving numerous awards throughout her degree, including being chosen as a finalist in the Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders competition by Karen Walker, Katie-maree Cole has launched her first directional range, "Painted. me" after success of her basics merino range in 2009.

Katie-maree tells us that the collection is Influenced by the novel 'Memoirs of a Geisha' (it's good, read it) and the Japanese flirtation with individual style, she says "it gives women garments that are quirky and feminine with a personality they can own". For 2010, her Painted. me collection brings a more diverse range of silk, cotton and linen garments, appealing to the youthful spirit of today.

Painted. me will be available in selected stockists and from her website www.katiemareecole.com. Like the best of us, Katie-maree Cole is also on Facebook.

Congrats to AGATHA Paris

Our friends at AGATHA Paris - the iconic French jewellery brand that fuses the fashionable with the affordable was 1st Runner Up in the Fashion, Footwear and Accessories category at the New Zealand TOP SHOP Retail Excellence Awards last night! Well done kids.

We hear they fought through stiff competition and a bumper number of entrants this year, and to celebrate we'll be giving away some AGATHA gear next week so stay tuned!

“We are absolutely delighted” says the boutique co-owner Mitchell Grant. “The team did most of the work by oozing amazing customer service and the beautiful Parisian boutique on Vulcan Lane and gorgeous French fashion jewellery did the rest – just a few reasons why AGATHA is so popular with New Zealand women and the judges.”

Check out AGATHA Paris fashion jewellery boutique at the top of Vulcan Lane, Auckland or get to their website and Facebook page for more info!

Get your hands on some SLEAZE!

Sleaze Clothing is a great new tee label coming out of Auckland. We asked the boys to tell us a little about themselves, we got this...

We like leather pants. We like long hair. We like GIRLS. 

We like that we don't bother voting. We like bandanas. 

We like trashing our hotel rooms. 

We like watching PORN. We like growing a beard. We like MOTLEY CRUE
. 

We like smashing empty bottles. We like trying to act sober to get into a bar. 

We like travelling third world countries. We like HANK MOODY. 

We like that we don't stand in lines. We like mistreating rental cars. 

We like peeing on the floor in flash establishments. We like one night stands. 

We like stealing the neighbours newspaper. We like Rock n Roll. 

We like 'taking up' smoking in Bali because it's cheap. We like tattoos. 

We like screeching along to songs. 

We like that we don't know what we did last night.

They like a lot. We like their tees. Hope you do too cos we've got a few to give away!

OK, so you want one yeah? Get yourself to our Sleaze Facebook album, and make a comment on the tee you want. Tell us why the hell we should give it to you. Our favourite three will get a tee each. Usual terms and conditions apply.


Check out more from the Sleaze crew at www.sleazeclothing.co.nz.

Sunday, The Innocents Abroad

It was a busy Friday last week, getting the team around Wellington, catching up with some of the amazing talent the city has to offer. We were delighted to pop in to Sunday on Willis Street. Designers, Miriam White and Sally Eagle have put together an incredibly wearable first collection - we've already put an order in!  

We hear the collection was inspired by a trip to Italy earlier this year, and picks up on the colours and excitement of a European summer. Enjoy...

Check out more from Sunday on their website and Facebook. You can check out their lookbook online or pop into 311 Willis Street, Wellington, to view, order and/or discuss a custom creation!