Yes, this collection has been inspired by the movie Secretary. I thought it was a Disney-cute BDSM love story, but I still ponder how it would have ended if they had stuck to the plot in the novel. Click play and watch the models, clothes, and eyewear evoke a sense of soft, sweet naughtiness.

Tired of spending my weekends inside, I decided it was time for a day on the town. Of course Mr J hates the CBD due to multiple acts of vandalism to his car and the cost of parking, so asking to visit a store or browse downtown is met with a resounding “Are you f**king kidding me?”. Due to this attitude, I decided the best thing to be done was to put our hands at the mercy of public transport.

After breakfasting in Ellerslie township, we took a bus into the city and took a tour through the re-opened Auckland Art Gallery. Then we took a lunch break in Fort Street, battled the crowds at The Cloud, and finally made our way to Black in Fashion.

Black in Fashion: Wearing the Colour Black in New Zealand is a pop-up exhibition created by the New Zealand Fashion Museum to celebrate our love of wearing the colour that has come to define our countrymen. It’s a mish-mash of Kiwi culture, encompassing sport, music, history, film and television.

My favourite iconic outfit? The Cybele Iridescence dress (seen here in gold) that was used as Loretta West’s wedding dress in Outrageous Fortune. That dress started me off on a Cybele love affair, no doubt about it.

If this has piqued your interest, please ‘Like’ my Facebook page for more photos. Also, you should ‘Like’ New Zealand Fashion Museum on Facebook!

I might be visiting the exhibition again with my friends, so there might be more photos coming soon!

Ngahuia Williams looking fantastic as always. Twenty-seven Names is a label I one day aspire to possess…

Kelis in her Acapella music video…

UBU Brushes…

VV Brown…

Maurie & Eve Creeper Wedges…

and last but not least, Swallow Necklaces. (Picture taken by me outside Individual)

Now Vice is known more for it’s American Apparel style of photography than for it’s style. One shoot even dropped all pretence and aptly named theirs ‘A fashion shoot with some nudity’. But you can find some inspiring photos and a few indie celebs if you grit your teeth and wade through them all. Go see for yourself.

{Pictures five-finger discounted from First Thursdays}

Last week I decided instead of heading to the city to have dinner and drinks, I would go break my First Thursdays cherry and see what wonders they had in store. I didn’t buy anything, as I usually look at what they have to offer first unless a stall owner has some unique item that begs to be bought. I was really impressed by the quality of the items on display, and I will definitely be heading back for more.

Thread has already done a review about this market, but they can’t stop my fun. This article is for those who want to experience First Thursdays any time they want from the comfort of their own home. Here are my seven favourite online sellers:

BIRDINABUNNYSUIT

These prints are so wonderfully cute and quirky, they make me wish for children so I can decorate the walls with the creatures this artist has imagined. Right now I have three prints at the framers, and another two autographed prints to be framed afterwards. But once they’re all completed I shall be raiding her store to complement my art collection!

THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD BOUTIQUE

They have a very nice online store, but I would suggest visiting the actual brick and mortar store on 279 Parnell Rd, Auckland. I’m a total sucker for the vintage reproduction dresses and alluring accessories, not to mention the boutique interior looks like my dream bedroom. When I’m in the area I will have to drop in…

KARIN JEWELLERY

I like Karin’s work because she is inspired by nature (one of the best things to be inspired by), and this oak leaf bracelet has been on my wish list for a few months. One of my childhood homes had a oak tree that I loved playing under, and I was always making jewellery from it’s leaves and acorns. Of course, my designs crumbled after an afternoon of vigorous playing, but I’m pretty sure Karin’s designs will last a lot longer!

HUNTER GATHERER

With a fantastic mix of nature, bows, and beautiful illustration there’s nothing bad I can say about Hunter Gatherer. I’m pretty sure putting on a piece of their jewellery would make me feel ten years younger. I just wish I could pick one piece, instead of drooling over them all!

MISS ELLIE MAY

Another great local illustrator. The print above reminds me of a fancy sailors tattoo, I wouldn’t mind having the tote bag version to make the burden of groceries prettier. She might not have much in her store, but none of it is rubbish. Definitely one to watch.

ARC & TAIL

At the moment they only have three items up, but I really like this Lens Bracelet. The perfect thing for a budding photographer to wear! If you want to see more, I suggest heading to the stall on the 2nd of June to see their full range.

FOXES

I’ve saved the best for last. If you have liked everything I’ve shown you, check out Foxes online store. It has almost everyone I’ve mentioned in this article selling their products on the website. I bought a few of my Christmas presents from Foxes, so I know they can deliver fast and cheap. They have almost anything you could possibly need, from fine jewellery and clothes to clocks and tea towels.

 

I hope you enjoyed my picks, and that you’re inspired to head up to K Road on the 2nd of June to experience this event!

Stars…

Deer/Johnny Depp…

Lady Snowblood…

Nga Waiata Jewellery…

Tura Santana…

Crystals…

…and Kelly Thompson.

So how am I translating this into my style? I’m browsing the web for an affordable version of Christopher Kane’s Galaxy Print Dress, buying shirts with deer and Jonny Depp printed on them, and finding jewellery set with crystals and semi-precious stones. My photo poses are strong and expressionless, and I’m augmenting my Jason Brooks prints with ones from a local illustrator. I need more inspiration though, maybe another flick through FQ Autumn Edition will help…

{Picture taken from Sunshine Noir. Featuring vintage blue blazer, vintage leather dog collar, sterling silver ring, Stolen Girlfriend's Club bow ring.}

I desperately want this ring. Right now I have a $20 mesh bow ring to satisfy my need, but I love bows so much I know I will need something with longevity. Too bad they cost around $200! I can’t justify that cost on an outfit, let alone a piece of jewellery. Maybe I will have to wait until my birthday…

Stylelikeu has made me feel so NORMAL. Boring, dull, plain white bread normal. The people they feature are exceptionally creative, and innovative characters in their own right. Bill Cunningham may photograph these people on the street, but Stylelikeu comes into their homes and finds out what inspires them and the intimate thought processes of how they achieve their vision of ‘style’.

Before I went looking through that site, I truly thought I might be too obsessed about my wardrobe. But how wrong I was! In all honesty, I’m not working hard enough. I need to stop being influenced by what's popular and start leading myself down a far more interesting path of personal authenticity.

I will still follow the unspoken rules of dressing for the weather and the event, hell even the old-fashioned ones about having sartorial decency and modesty in public. I’m still going to dress practically- the day I start recommending wearing avant garde wedding dresses to walk the dog is the day I’ll be committed. And this change is not because my style is so boring I have to focus on my eccentricities to get attention. You’ll never see me attention whoring by trying on Lady Gaga meat dresses or hanging up beef curtains.

The real problem is I’m a huge coward- I’m constantly watering down my look so people will approve. It’s pathetic that I meekly let hairdressers, store assistants, beauty therapists, and cosmetic saleswomen inflict atrocities upon me like third-degree burns, hacked-off hair and coercing me into hideous clothes at wallet-abusing prices. I refused to wear heels because when I did there was always some troll who started moaning about my choice in footwear. Or listening to an unreasonable person telling me to stop wearing my business casual outfit of dresses and cardigans with flats and start wearing t-shirts, jeans and sneakers like everyone else because somehow my enthusiasm for style made the  female colleagues feel bad about themselves.

Well, I have three words to say to all future critics who wish to denigrate my style in the future:

I’m not going to conform to the norm. It’s time to listen to the voice that screams, “Sparkle, SPARKLE!”

This weekend, I went to K Road to scout through the stores and check out what had changed on this notorious stretch of asphalt. I was drawn to the window of St Kevin's Arcade Second-hand Bookstore because they had The Great New Zealand Songbook at 60% off the retail price, and I knew my husband would love it. But when I saw the owner had Movie-Star Portraits of the Forties on his counter for $15, I knew that this was a gem worthy of my bookshelf.

 

The book starts off with the infamous shot of Betty Grable flaunting her ‘gams’, and artfully documents the last decade of Old Hollywood within it’s pages.

Let’s not forget the men of the forties either: scrumptious beefcakes to feat my eyes upon! It’s a great visual page-turner for when you need a reminder of what real class looks like.