December 08 Newsletter

It has been such a wonderful year, full of travel, presentations, shopping, learning and fun! 2008 has been definitely a jam packed full on time, and I have met some amazing people, and would like to thank each and every one of you for making my year uplifting and such a buzz. I can now say that I literally present the length and breadth of New Zealand.  I have been as far south as Invercargill, Kaitaia in the far north, Hokitika in the west and of course I am up and down the east coast constantly, particularly between Christchurch and Timaru. Thank you for being wonderful hosts, willing bodies, and for being open minded to make changes.

Continue to make the difference!

Exciting news.....

Half way through the year I decided to expand my business to franchising the Unique Style brand and now train stylists throughout New Zealand. I am presently training two stylists of which they hold the franchised areas Oamaru district, and Westcoast. You will be able to see them on the website next year, and do pass on their details to anyone you know wanting help with their wardrobe planning or update their image and/or refresh their look.  I will be marketing the Unique Style training program and franchise next year and will looking for people who want to compliment their already existing business, or who want to start a new career. I maybe looking for YOU!

Summer Season is here, and with it comes lots of colour. Yeah, I so look forward to summer as the lighter, brighter colours are so exciting to wear!!!!  We only have to wear them to feel much more energized.

What's hot this season:

   1. Dresses are the big statement this season.  Shirt dresses will suit the natural dresser, tiered empire line in satin or floaty fabric (Jacqui E), florals (Stax), florals in cotton fabric -flounced with net underneath (Portmans), Floaty numbers (Max), and designer stores have an abundance of shapes, styles, and colours.Suggestion: would wait for the Boxing Day SALES as I know most shops are over stocked and will want to quit these seasonal garments, and you will still have plenty of warm, sunny weather to enjoy them.
   2. Fifties Style inspiration:full skirts to mid calf, shirt dresses and skirts with cinched-in waists, worn with ballet slippers or brightly coloured high heels.
   3. Seventies silhouette is long and lean e.g. jackets that are double-breasted short trenches. Accessories and patterns/colours are retro, big framed sun glasses, big shoulder bags, floppy hats and wide-legged pants. Mixing patterns together, this will probably only excite the truly creative dressers.  Markets and vintage stores will be a good source to add to you wardrobe for a seasonal update at a fraction of the cost.
   4. Transparency:wear sheer tops over under garments to give a soft feminine look. I found myself buying a sheer top in fabulous bright coral from Glassons to wear over a cotton tank top with jeans.  I find it hard to go casual, as I do enjoy wearing my feminine/creative outfits during my working week, so casual does not make much of dint in my budget.
   5. Bold Jewellery.Colourful beads in turquoise, topaz, amethyst and amber feature this season.Big statement pieces,but remember SCALE (be proportional with you body and height). However creative dressers do tend to adore larger jewellery anyway!
   6. Shoes: for those who know me I am a shoeaholic. Heels are the feature this season: thick platforms and sculptured wedges (great for you if you which to add height) to high stilettos (of which I do not recommend to wear on a daily basis but can be worn to go out in, but never having to walk ANYWHERE!). The long-term impact of wearing stilettos or any high heeled shoe for that matter is not pretty. High heels can damage toenails and result in hard skin development and ingrown toenails. They also cause bunions on the sides of your feet.  Go to a good podiatrist to eliminate these.
      I have been out and about in Christchurch and am featuring a few businesses that you may not know about yet.

Christchurch

Savoir Lingerie & Swimwear Specialists

I would like to introduce you to Savoir Lingerie & Swimwear, who have moved into new premises at 141 Colombo street.
The Savoire Boutique offers an outstanding range of swimwear and lingerie for ALL sizes and with their personal fitting service, ensure you are getting the right fit and style to suit your body. The correct foundation garments are crucial to you looking and feeling as good as you deserve, and certainly wearing the right undergarments can make you look sleeker and feel more confident.  The boutique is open Tuesday-Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am-12.30pm. Also Kirsten has an after hours one-to-one consultation available by appointment:  Phone 03 337 6147

I have been a recipient of Kirstens lovely boutique and found myself in her cubicle trying on lots of different fabulously coloured patterned bras- and I was delighted to find goes to my G cup!!!!! She caters for many shapes and sizes and with her enthusiasm to help you will find a wonderful sexy feminine bra that suit your size, shape and personality, or you may just like to invest in her ? pants.  Which are comfortable everyday knickers with no panty line.

Curvee Galz: plus size near new clothing, accessories and jewellery. Shop 3,Lichfield Lanes,next door to Wear Else style revival (second hand fashion

Dale Evans-Dyer (owner of Curvee Galze) firmly believes if you've got it flaunt it.

This winter, she opened Curvee Galz Clothing, a cosy new shop near.
Poplar Lane
that features near new and for plus-sized women.

I could see there was a need for it because there's really nothing like it around, says Evans-Dyer.

She says women come from all over the South Island to check out her extensive range of clothing, shoes and jewellery and accessories for women sized 16 to 26. They also bring in garments they no longer wear to be sold on behalf by Evans-Dyer, providing the items are in good condition.

She says one of the advantages of buying clothes at Curvee Galz is that they tend to be more affordable than new plus-size clothing, which can often be quite expensive.

It gives women the freedom to play around a bit more with their wardrobe because there isn't that big financial risk, says Evans-Dyer.

She says it can be frustrating for women to find anything over a size 16 that is stylish and fits them well, as many department stores carry only a limited plus-sizes range for that particular season. At Curvee Galz, women can choose from a variety of summer and winter pieces from both New Zealand and international designers.

"Just because you're curvy, it doesn't mean you want to wear a sack," says Evans-Dyer. My clientele is vibrant and interesting and they want to dress with a bit of flair. They want to dress stylishly  and they can.

She says plus-size women can feel a bit invisible in mainstream stores since they do not fit into the normal size range. Curvee Galz is her way of saying that there are plenty of women out there who are not a size eight and there is nothing wrong with that.

"Be proud of who you are" says Evans-Dyer. "Embrace it - and get on with life."

Curvee Galz Clothing is at Shop 3, Lichfield Lanes, 132 Lichfield Street
between Manchester and Madras Streets. Ph: 366 3099 or email curveegalz@xtra.co.nz

Shops elsewhere:

TS 14 plus   Live it Love it Wear it www.ts14plus.com.au

This is an Australian company that has just opened two stores in New Zealand. They have been operating a catalogue which you can view on their website. The way they have displayed their catalogue you almost think you are in the shop. Their styles have a definite creative flair and also at affordable prices.

Wellington:

120 Featherston Street

Auckland:

Rialto Centre, Osbourne Street, Newmarket

Platform (sizes14 - 24) www.platform.co.nz

Enquiries@platform.co.nz

You can visit their website to view their range of good core wardrobe pieces, and sign up for their weekly update. I have first hand knowledge of their philosophy as I did some seminars at their shops during the year, and feel they have an enthusiasm for getting their fit just right and also bringing in colour, pattern and just a little difference!  You can buy on-line and they have a pay as you wear system,that is great value for money.

Stores:

Auckland:

Mt Roskill - 1013 Dominion road, and Botany town Centre

Wellington:

109 Featherston Street

New labels 

Boo Radley - www.booradley.com.au

Christchurch stockists:  Ballantynes, Frederick Ashley and Ruby Blanche in Victoria Street.

Visit their website to find out where you can purchase elsewhere in New Zealand.

Upbeat with a sassy twist Boo Radley combines high end glamour with casual chic, making a statement about your individuality.

With seven ranges annually, sizes run from an XS through to a XXL.

Boo Radley continues to put a unique spin on timeless classics with our latest range "Summer Romance". Consisting of exciting pieces in dynamic color combinations, "Summer Romance" is a fresh and fabulous collection sure to turn heads this season.
Phone Collections Agency 03 3799108 to find out where other stockist are in New Zealand.

Vigorella brand

Is another alternative to matellicus range of core wardrobe layering garments. www.vigorella.com.au

Christchurch stockist: They can be found at Frederick Ashley (Fendalton Mall) and Affinity Northanland Mall.Most of these garments are very fitting and clingy wonderful for layering.You can make whole outfits from this range (classic) or can just use it for under garments to work with more looser over garments. Some great colours.

Thank you for making my year an exciting journey, and I look forward to producing new and exciting style workshops to take you to another level of creativity.

Change is inevitable why not embrace it, and make it happen.

Best Wishes for the festive season, take some time out for yourself and enjoy the company of the ones you love.

Merry Christmas

Chryssie