This week’s FiFi Report is a New Zealand Special issue!

Last week, as you may have guessed by my conspicuous absence, I had a trip overseas. Yes, I count NZ as an international trip.  I was lucky to be invited by Tourism New Zealand to jet over (Thanks to Air Zealand) to Auckland for NZFashion week. We then went onto  Wellington for WOW. We had a fabulous group of editors from around the world. We were totally spoiled. We ate. We drank. We shopped. We fashion weeked. We loved it.

Now a few fashion quotes from to keep us smiling ….

“I don’t take drugs because if I did I’d love them-I’d be a junkie. And because I’m Jewish, I’d probably be a dealer, too.” Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz in a hilarious interview with Vogue UK

“I don’t go out to parties because I’d look terrible in pictures. My escape is television - it’s like meditation to me.”

“I thought about becoming a doctor, I am a hypochondriac, so it made sense to go into medicine - I like nurses, I like hospital food”

“I just couldn’t see the point in fashion anymore, but I remember watching something on television and a woman had lost her husband through a terrorist attack. I thought ‘it doesn’t matter what that woman is wearing’,

“then I realised actually it’s our job as designers to make women smile; to bring them the chocolate without the calories.”

“Today, designers are expected to produce work that is bigger, better, faster and - these days - cheaper. A singer can quit once he or she has made ten great songs, a director can finish once he or she has made five amazing films, a writer just needs to write three great books.”

“Now let’s look at designers - they produce six to eight shows a year, most designers have a 20-year-long career, so I need to create about 250 collections in that time. Not even Danielle Steel could write 250 books.”

“I have never been Alber from Saint Laurent, just like I’m not Alber from Lanvin. I am just Alber short. And I am very short.”

* Alber Sketch from pack of  Lanvin “Faces” playing cards €60.00 from Lanvin

I am in love.
I want every single pair of the new collection of sunglasses from Karen Walker.
I adore with the “Perfect Day” sunglasses in black.
I am drooling over the “Number one” in brown and orange.
I would kill for the Patsy in Tea Brown. I die.
These sunglasses are very cool but not too” look at me”. They are chic.
You will never look like a fashion victim wearing them.
But oh la la ! they make a statement.
TIP: they are very handy when you want to have a secret little snooze. At lunch. On the beach. Or front row at a fashion show.

US$180 Karen Walker sunglasses from Karen Walker and  EyeGoodies

Why I am loving the amazing Hema  Quintessential  Oil:

• Because it’s as soft and velvety as an Hermes bag.
• Because Margaret Hema’s philosophy is that skin should be treated like beautiful fabric.
• Because your skin feels like silk.
• Because Liv Tyler uses it ; just like a good Elf Princess should.
• Because it contains only 100% New Zealand organic grown and produced ingredients.
• Because it’s loaded with natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents. Loaded with them.
• Because it’s an amazing mix of East Coast Manuka Honey, Pacific Blue Essential Oil of Lavender and East Cape Essential Oil of Manuka.
• Because it works while you sleep.
• Because it’s like a designer salad dressing with no calories. Please don’t eat it.

NZD$135 from HEMA and Isabelharris.co.nz

Want to know the hot spots in NZ? Here’s a quick run down on the cool places to eat, drink and stay!

Hotel DeBrett.
This is a fabulous, chic little boutique hotel in Auckland. It was built in 1841 and was Auckland’s first hotel. Now it’s had a facelift and botox.  It’s very 1950’s/60’s inspired interiors. Each of the 25-room rooms are all individually designed.  I had a room that was a duplex. Thankyou very much. Downstairs was my very own bar and private sitting room for entertaining guests. It was a pity George Clooney was in Venice. There is also a lovely restaurant and a very cool bar where we downed a few cocktails after fashion week. Oh and there is a designer pillow menu (for the room not the restaurant) if you are fussy about things like that. Lovely. ( that’s the view from my room below left).

Kermadec
We had a most delicious lunch here overlooking the lovely Viaduct Harbour.  Fortunately this cool restaurant is just a handy short hobble in stomp-a-licious heels to the fashion week shows. It was a very relaxed lunch. I think that was partly due to the lovely New Zealand wine. Or could have been because that morning we were treated to an amazing facial at The Langham Hotel. (Gold is applied to your face: I wanted to put it in my pocket) .

Clooney.
You can understand why I was drawn to this restaurant. I feel I am almost related to it. We headed here for an amazing dinner after The ‘World’ Fashion show (where transvestites in glitzy gold opened the show). Clooney is in an old industrial warehouse that’s been transformed into a very cool 60’s inspired dining room. The food was seriously delicious. Every dish was art directed. I could marry it.

O’Connell Street Bistro
We had a quite a divine lunch here. Yes, lunch. I got used to eating 3 course lunches very quickly. So did my waist. We had the private dining room. The food was fabulous. I had salmon which was cooked to perfection. Yum.

Waiheke
This is very beautiful island from Auckland. Think bright blue water, pristine beaches, lush wine country.  It was ‘discovered’ by hippies in the 60’s. Not any more! You can get there by ferry. We went by Helicoptor. Of course. Question: what do fashion editors wear for a helicopter ride to a winery in the (muddy) country? Answer: After agonizing for days I was in my uniform of heel/booties, a blazer and chinos. We were issued with life jackets. I don’t do yellow, as you know, but the jackets had a handy little belt which I styled jauntily to cinch in over my jacket. (hanging slightly to the left). The ride over the city of Auckland and then to the Island was absolutely incredible. (That’s the view under my foot. OMG). I could get used to this life.

We landed at Stonyridge Winery. It’s a very pretty place. The bright green grass actually hurt my eyes after dry old Sydney. We sat in front of an open fire for wine tasting (hic). Sensational. Of course we were starving after all that jetting around so we then headed over the fabulous Mudbrick Winery. We devoured an incredible 3 course dinner in a chic loft overlooking the glorious view of the sea. At this stage the chinos were getting snug. Elastic waist harem pants were looking very attractive.

Bularangi Harley Tours
After doing a few of the shows at NZFW including Trelise Cooper and Stolen Girlfriends Club ( see below) our fearless tour guides decided to organize chauffeur driven MOTORBIKES to take us on a tour of Auckland. Whaaat?! Can you imagine trying to get a gaggle of fashion editors on the back of Harley Davidsons? (It’s raining! We might crash! Eeek Helmut hair! Etc). Question: what to wear?  Answer: The coolest leather biker jackets and gloves provided. I had a cushioned Jason recliner seat and a handsome driver who told me to hang on anywhere I wanted to. Hmmm. We drove for about 2 hours all around lovely Auckland ending up on top of one tree hill ( which doesn’t have one) to check out the amazing view. Best. Fun. Ever.

Amora Hotel Wellington
After days of eating, shopping and fashioning it was time to leave Auckland.  I sat on my suitcase begging and pleading it to zip up. Tried to do the same to the muffin top. We jetted off to Wellington. A most spectacular city with amazing scenery. Think Sydney does Norway. We stayed at the Amora hotel which has pretty fabulous views over Wellington Harbour. My room was huge. My bed was huge. To match my hips.

Nikau Cafe
I have to recommend this chic little casual café in Wellington. Divine food and fabulous coffee. And right near the stunning harbour, the Museum of New Zealand and the shops. More fabulous NZ cuisine. More fabulous NZ wine. More NZ shopping. Fabulous.

Thanks again to Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand.

The Conductor ….by Sarah Quigley

‘In June 1941, Nazi troops march on Leningrad and surround it. Hitler’s plan is to shell, bomb, and starve the city into submission. Most of the cultural elite are evacuated early in the siege, but Dmitri Shostakovich, the most famous composer in Russia, stays on to defend his city, digging ditches and fire-watching. At night he composes a new work. But after Shostakovich and his family are forced to evacuate, only Karl Eliasberg - a shy and difficult man, conductor of the second-rate Radio Orchestra - and an assortment of musicians are left behind in Leningrad to face an unendurable winter and start rehearsing the finished score of Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony.”

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sarah Quigley is a novelist, critic, and columnist. She has a D.Phil. in Literature from the University of Oxford, and is a graduate of Bill Manhire’s creative writing course.

$29.66 Published: 1st July 2011 Booktopia.com.au

New Zealand Fashion Design by Angela Lassig

A great big, glossy coffee table book!  ‘New Zealand Fashion Design celebrates New Zealand’s top contemporary fashion designers, showcasing their work, and encapsulating the developments that have brought New Zealand to the attention of the international fashion world over the past 30 years. Featuring one-on-one interviews, this beautifully-designed book provides real insights into each designer’s work methods, design philosophy, and inspiration. More than 500 high-quality photographs give a close-up look at the clothes themselves and behind the scenes. Essential reading for anyone interested in fashion.
Designers that are profiled include aren Walker, Kate Sylvester, NOM*D, Marilyn Sainty, Sabatini White, Trelise Cooper, Workshop, Helen Cherry, World,  and Zambesi. ‘
NZ$120 Publisher   Te Papa Press, 2010 from Tepapastore.co.nz

This week’s fashion is all about New Zealand designers and shopping!

Karen Walker
Easily the best designer in NZ. We all loved checking out her cute store in Auckland . She is so clever I could almost be convinced to wear florals. Almost.
My picks are:

• The absolutely divine wide sleeve ‘Peach Striped Cashmere Knit ‘ Love. You can never have too many stripes top but how refreshing to see it in these beautiful colours, $360 NZD: Also in navy. J’Adore. Totally. Want.
• How cute is this floral shift dress with cool sheer chiffon sleeves? Very . Love it with the loafers and socks. It has a racer back and is so pretty with the belt don’t you think? $995 NZD
• How can I walk past a trench? Impossible. I am addicted and I am proud to admit it. So please buy this fabulous classic Wool Flannel trench. You will wear it forever. Especially if you live in Wellington. $1100. NZD
• The wide slouchy pants are back big time and a lovely alternative to skinny pants for those who legs match the pants. If you know what I mean. Love with lace up flats. Love the colour. The white waist belt included.$360.NZD

Zambesi
This is fabulous store in Auckland with two levels. I like the architectural, strong lines and the tiny details on the clothes. Here are my picks from their latest collection. You want the:

• The chic and very simple, linen rayon short sleeve ” beatnik jacket” $540. You must know by now that white is the colour for summer. Or non colour. This will work because you can toss it over a flimsy skirt or dress and belt it in. This will give shape. Or just wear simply over shorts or skinny pants.
• Who doesn’t love a sparkly Black sequin tank ? It’s all you need to snazzy up the jeans and chinos. Layer over a white tank please. $480
• Don’t die but here is a bright coloured dress. Relax,  it’s also in white and black as well as this gorgeous Red and pink. It’s a tube’ Chameleon’ dress. Which means it does all sorts of things. Tie me up. Tie me down. $550

kate Sylvester.
I like her quirky style. She calls it subtly subversive. It’s almost a nerdy Tom Boy look with a few pretty pieces thrown in. Tim Blanks from style.com describes Kate’s designs as “appealingly off kilter with an indie spirit.”
My picks are:

• The cream/grey slouchy one button blazer with a longer line ( if you want saggy bottom coverage.). I like how they have shown it here with short, shorts. It seems to balance the silhouette. They have pushed up the sleeves too. $555
• You want the moss brown ” Relaxed fit, pleat front trouser” which they say can be worn on the hip or paper bagged up with a belt to sit on the waist” Exactly $345
• And while you are here you should have the preppy A line denim button through skirt $245 or the fabulous black sheer pleat skirts. Yes,  you can have it in green if you so fashion $365.

World
It’s a mad, mad world. The store in Auckland is full of a lot of quirky objet D’art scattered about randomly. Yes, alot of stuffed animals in glass. I liked the glass cabinet stashed with a lot of back issues of Visionaire. Oh and we were happy to be invited to the World ( very Galliano inspired) Fashion show at NZFW which was a bit of fun. Bless.

The Department Store.
This is the hot store in Auckland. For some reason we didn’t make it here ( too busy eating and jetting to Islands in Helicopters) . It looks fabulous. It’s rather like Dover st in London.
“The Department Store is a modern take on the traditional department store experience. It’s the brainchild of KAREN WALKER, STEPHEN MARR and DAN GOSLING. Their vision is to create a single environment where one can experience the very best from the worlds of design, beauty, fashion, interiors … not to mention the very best French pastries in town.
In a world overwhelmed by generic product and bland shopping experiences THE DEPARTMENT STORE is a haven of good taste, quality and luxury at every price point.” There is even  TopShop.  Cool

Roast Lamb Rack with Fennel Salad and Kumara Mash ….from nzhouseandgarden.co.nz

Is there a more authentic New Zealand dish that Roast lamb? This is an easy but delish little recipe adulterated from New Zealand (now London based) chef Peter Gordon

You need for 4 hungry fashionista , 35 models or one rugby player.

4 lamb racks, trimmed (about 200gor 3-4 bones per rack)
2-3 kumara ( sweet potato)
4 tablespoons designer extra virgin olive oil
1 large or 3 small fennel, trimmed
1 large handful olives, pitted and halved
2 to 4 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 small handful mint leaves
1 large handful watercress

• Slip out of your Givenchy leather jacket.
• Climb out of Prada wedges.
• Pull on cashmere pajamas.
• Open a bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
• Drink.
• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Place a roasting dish in to warm up.
• Place yourself next to the fire to warm up too.
• Grab the olives and whip out the stones and then chop in half. That’s the olive not the stone.
• Squeeze the lemon juice.
• Get the kumara and ask George Clooney to give it a good scrub. He loves to do that.
• Now get him to slice the kumera into 1cm-thick discs.
• Then throw in a saucepan ( the kumara not George) with a big fat teaspoon of salt and cover with cold water.
• Boil until they are just as tender as George after a night in Venice.
• Drain and then mash the Kumera with 2 tablespoons of the designer olive oil.
• Season with sel et poivre and set aside somewhere warm. Next to George is always good.
• Find the lamb and score the fat in a cross-hatch pattern (it helps it to crisp up) and lightly season with salt.
• ( BTW : score does not mean giving it rating like 5 stars.)
• Heat a fry pan to about moderately hot and place the lamb racks gently in, fat-side down. Which is how most people sit.
• Cook it for about 5-6 minutes until fat has coloured to a chic Chanel caramel .
• Gulp down another wine or ten.
• Turn and cook the lamb for about another 2 minutes or so.
• and plop the lamb in the hot roasting dish. Fat-side down, dude.
• Roast it until it’s right for you. I say 10-12 minutes is probably good for medium-rare.
• Then whip it out of the oven and then turn it with its big fat-side up and let it rest in a warm place. It must be exhausted.
• Now while the lamb is having a snooze you can make the salad.
• Slice the fennel into rings as thin as Rachel Zoe. (Hint: please avoiding the stalk end: it’s bananas!)
• Toss in a bowl with the olives, lemon juice and the Dijon mustard.
• Throw in the mint, remaining designer olive oil and the lovely watercress.
• To serve dollop the yummy mash on a chic white plate and arrange a lamb rack so it can lie nonchalantly on top.
• Accessories with the watercress olive salad.
• Fabulous!