AOTEAROA'S OFFERINGS

Image courtesy of Still Vision Photography

Travel restrictions may have eased, but I find myself still exploring and taking in what Aotearoa has to offer. Booking flights hasn’t been easier since the dawn of aviation, and with a couple of clicks, the barrier between here and there is closer than ever. 

I look at local travel destinations as just another office space, and no matter where I go in Aotearoa, fashion is at the forefront of people’s minds, with luxe little shops popping up all over. For instance, in Geraldine, I was able to source the most scrumptious hand-knitted layette and shower gifts at the baby boutique Frankie Did It. 

If I were to attempt to define New Zealand’s top five travel destinations as they pertain to shopping, this is what I would say: Queenstown offers top shops to top travellers. Wellington defines thrifting. Auckland stands strong as the fashion hub. Akaroa offers French flair. Christchurch is boldly (re)building its brand.

A trip of note was my recent visit to Queenstown, where I attended the Trelise Cooper Breast Cancer Cure event hosted by the award-winning The Rees Hotel. Fashion is a force that truly brings like-minded people together, with guests arriving from all over New Zealand. 

Attendees donned their best dress while taking in the latest collections from the famed designer’s fashion show that featured a brilliantly lit runway and worthy dance tunes that perfectly suited the vibe.

Now that I am back in Christchurch, what do I have to look fashionably forward to? Riccarton Park’s Grand National Festival of Racing, where I will serve as a judge for Winter Fashion in the Field. Again, entrants will be visiting our city from all over the country for a chance to showcase their intricately planned ensembles and vie for premium fashion honours and prizes.

I have been travelling my entire life and what I have learned is that a few fashionable essentials began to repeat their presence in my bag. This month’s selections reflect those items that we may all need whether we are jet-setting to the North Island or backpacking on the West Coast.

Kia’s picks for couture for August are here.