Over Waitangi weekend, the boutique is undergoing its most dramatic facelift. Here’s a few behind the scenes snapshots….
Tonight marks the official launch of Shoezies, a charming shoe store stocking Italian, Spanish and French footwear. Shoezies is opening next door to our Wellington boutique on Wakefield St, and we are thrilled to have them in our neighbourhood.
Owned by husband and wife team Susi and Ted Wall, the Christchurch couple have moved to Wellington to rebuild their business and their lives after the devastating February earthquake of 2011. Their former store (in the red zone) was completely destroyed, along with every last piece of stock they owned. It is hard to comprehend how this might feel for a small and personal business such as theirs, it’s something I can hardly bare to think about.
I have been astounded by their positivity and their decision to look forward rather than back. It’s something we could all take lesson from. It’s important to mention too that my new retail manager Jane Hadlow also relocated to Wellington after the devastating earthquake last year. She was working within in the red zone when the quake hit. It has had a huge impact hearing these stories of terror in person, and being able to see first hand the effects of shock and grief.
Forget living through a recession, try living through a recession followed by 2 devastating earthquakes, a loss of your livelihood, your home, and a loss of people you knew and cared about.
But back to the shoes, Shoezies will stock Robert Clergerie, Repetto, Chie Mihara, Via Roma, Vic Matie, Accessoire, and Renato Angi amongst others. All beautifully selected and edited offering by Susi.
Even though I believe that Wellington is going to go mad for this store, I think you should all get out and show special support for them this opening weekend. You won’t be disappointed. Shoezies, 247 Wakefield St Wellington.
Alexandra
I am pleased to announce that the SAG awards delivered a lot more glamour than the Globes. Apart from the fact that the film ‘Team America’ always makes me laugh at the title, what the SAG awards has going for it is that it seems to be taken quite lightly by all. Therefore everyone attending seems to have a much better time and it is actually more enjoyable to watch. It’s certainly better than watching all the fragile nerves on display at other ceremonies.
Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen was a fantastic match. The McQueen dress had so much drama when she moved, and the overall sweetness of the cut suited her well. McQueen just keeps growing it’s red carpet presence.
I really loved Emily Blunt in Mint Green. And I couldn’t believe it was Oscar de la Renta. She made it look like Christopher Kane. She is my pick for best dressed.
Michelle Williams looked very cute in red Valentino. The back of the dress was cut of lace (to the waist) and gave it a teeny tiny bit more sexiness. I had hoped she would do a sleeveless dress for once, but she seems intent on her prim cap-sleeve look.
Angelina looked like a red carpet pro in a black draped dress by Jenny Packham. It’s funny because the dress she wore to the the Globes (red napkin) was the only dress she has worn that I haven’t liked. She certainly doesn’t need ‘statement’ dresses with a face like that.
I am now excited about the Oscars, and hoping to see everyone turn it up another notch.
Alexandra
Bianca Jagger is not someone I knew much about up until a few days ago. After watching Studio 54 the other day, I felt compelled to look up images of the original club-goers. Bianca stood out in the black and white images as only a woman of true style can, and it wasn’t just her extraordinary beauty. It is her ability to do a full spectrum of looks that impresses me. From mannish YSL suiting, to draped bombshell dresses, and then rockstar fur. She manages to pull all these usually disparate genres together with lashings of confidence and flair.
Nicaraguan Bianca Jagger married Mick Jagger in 1971, and filed for divorce in 1978 citing adultery (namely Jerry Hall).
She is still alive today and works actively for a number of charitable trusts.
Amazing in White YSL
Studio 54
Screen Siren
Who is the rockstar?
Maximum Fur
Studio 54
All-out Glamour
Alexandra
Heading out for a stroll yesterday afternoon, I began my climb up one on Wellington’s notorious vertical zig-zag paths.
These paths are extremely narrow and mostly used to create a walkway to all the cliff-hanging houses we have here. After several minutes, a group of four young men in wide-leg jeans and matching checkered shirts appeared from above me on the path and were quickly descendning.
What followed was a series of elbow jabs and toe crushing as they marched past me without stopping, slowing down, or acknowledging my person. Did I mention these paths are narrow? Yes, usually only one person fits at a time.
Forget chivalry, what about manners? It had me wondering whether the standard of manners actually is in decay, or whether it’s something untrained individuals only develop later on in life as adults. Perhaps it’s just boys en mass, if one decides to behave badly they all do.
I do find it popping up in many other areas of life too (which I will not digress in to at this time). It’s as if we are becoming so accustomed to not care what anyone thinks that we are loosing our ability to be agreeable citizens, which ultimately helps us all get along in a peaceful way.
True manners are born out of care and respect for other people. I for one think you can’t beat a smile, a please and thank you, and a bit of body language the shows you have at least acknowledged a human being’s presence. I’m not even talking about white gloves, men standing when a lady leaves for the powder room, or monogrammed thank you notes. Just the basics really, it does make life a little sweeter for all of us don’t you think?
Alexandra