seriously folks, i’m fascinated by the ranks of beauty here this week. just as the rest of the world and their fashion weeks ogle over generic, eastern european girls on the runway, NZ has definitely stepped up and broadened the boundaries of beauty far exceeding my understanding or expectations. these girls are really incredible looking. my favorite is stacey, the 16 year old blonde (below) whose vibe is totally eerie and haunting and then when you meet her she sounds all bubblegum-excited teen queen. brilliant.

a special shout-out to adrian and a ballistic bravo to him for his sublime and perfectly-edited presentation last night in NZ. all hail da’ hailwood!!! beaming with pride as i type buddy, big-up congrats!!!

local NZ angora knit from twenty seven names…

rodarte-inspired D.I.Y backstage at kate sylvester (yes, its my favorite D.I.Y-gal who lacquers and spray paints rosettes and uses them as hair accessories – genius!)…

pom-pom beanie action from a teen cutie…

collegiate lolita workin’ a chunky knit cropped sweater and hood (you go girl!)…

and both of them in action during the show…

i’m quietly fascinated by the beauty of the models here in NZ for realzies – they’re like some very strange looking, very ethereal young women with poignant features and these intense-looking doe-eyes. its the opposite end of the spectrum from paris, london, milan etc where the eastern european, anaemic-looking gals look emaciated etc. these girls look healthy in a good way. they’re still thin and realistically sample-size and all but they’ve got these very left-of-centre looks that are rather hypnotic in their own way. below, some beauties from yesterday afternoon’s altogether impressive annah stretton show.

people with D.I.Y lacquered rosette’s as hair accessories and heavily-pencilled brows…

fantastical mustard tights on ladies and bold two-tones shoes on boys…

brilliant goodies perfectly suited to delinlee delovely awaiting her front row seating allocation at the twenty seven names + juliette hogan show (next week’s flight to paris is going to be interesting reading this amazing tale)…

some razzle-dazzle beautiful graffiti visual along a side alleyway off ponsonby road…

wild waterwave curls and some crafty use of color and fabric combo’s at my favorite show so far, annah stretton…

just like a marine port in the middle of the city only better. check this amazing crest that i spotted on a protective fence separating the street from a cargo yard area.

and further along the street, some shark-infested street art…

upon first glance entering the westin hotel in auckland: a zambesi x kartell display. savvy stuff, n’est pas?

kia ora folks (that’s hello in NZ-speak) – greetings from new zealand, which is where i’ll be based over the following week hunting out the latest and greatest. i’ve no idea what to expect as its been about nine years since i last stepped foot on this here hearty soil but i will say one thing, i don’t remember the last time i inhaled air as fresh or as clean as this! more about that later. in the meantime i’m loving these tribal pics and can’t wait to learn more about maori tribal culture and how – if at all – in transpires into anything during the countries fashion week. its kinda frida kahlo with a definite injection of warrior-style. stay tuned..