Model: Natasha Bell

A poster at Westfield reminded me that the winter ball season is upon us. For those who choose to participate it can be a costly affair, not least of which is the sometimes exorbitant amount spent on finding the perfect dress: a dress that gets used once, maybe twice.
A bit of diamante

Model: Natasha Bell

I enjoy costume parties and really prefer to put together a costume myself rather than hiring or buying one.

Sometimes it's really as easy as wandering down to your local dollar store and buying a pair of wings. The black feathered variety that Natasha wears was only $6.90NZD - and all the other items were taken from our combined existing wardrobes.

Model: Natasha Bell

Having a bit of fun doesn't have to become stressful and expensive to get a great result.

Model: Caitlin Mather

As a child in the Philippines, I was used to umbrellas on the streets deployed both in sun and rain. It was fairly strange, therefore, to move to New Zealand and only see umbrellas used during inclement weather.

A couple of weeks ago, I was preparing for a photoshoot and was looking at the available items at my local dollar store to help me create a party scene when I noticed a Chinese umbrella on display. Quite taken with it, I asked where the stock was kept and promptly bought one of each available colour; $9.00NZD per umbrella seems entirely reasonable.

I love the concept of the parasol: it's colourful, fun, feminine, and useful. Given how harsh the sun can be and the advice to stay in the shade to reduce the risk of skin cancer, it seems entirely sensible to me take shade with you. Hats may be practical but shade coverage can be limited depending on the type of hat. The other day I took one of my new umbrellas to a sunny afternoon barbeque and happily rotated it with the moving sun to retain a comfortable level of protection.

Given how rare it is to see umbrellas and parasols used in western countries these days, my new affectation seems a bit quirky and eccentric. However, I've decided that it really is functional and am challenging my readers to pick up their parasols this summer.

To give you some inspiration, I used parasols in a recent picnic photoshoot with friends. Caitlin looked just so cute with a pink parasol to go with the cream and floral playsuit she was wearing. So much colour and just a wee bit vintage and romantic. Go on, you know you want to!

Photographer: Ianessa Guerrero

A white maxi dress, skirt, palazzo or wide-legged pants — as shown in the photo — can be given real zing by adding floaty colour on top. In this case, I've used the large graphic Goa scarf from Fara Boutique as a long-line top, cinched at the waist to create shape whilst leaving the bottom free to move.

If you're on a trip away and have taken a scarf or sarong, using this trick can quickly give you an evening dinner out option that's elegant and versatile. I'm wearing this over a white crop top but depending on the density of the fabric you could do away with the extra layer.

This shot is courtesy of Ness Guerrero and it was taken at the Agropolis in Christchurch. It's a wonderful concept and great project to check out if you're in town.

Model: Ianessa Guerrero

Let's talk about adding colour to your classic LBD look using a scarf.

A large scarf can do triple duty: keep the sun off in the day, keep you warm as the evening cools, and add some sharp contrast and interest to the little black classic look making it both a functional and beautiful addition.

Given black will go with anything there really are no rules for what colours, prints or patterns you can choose for the scarf and in a way you can use it to set the mood from glamorous to whimsical; functional or flimsy.

The scarf featured on Ness is called Goa and is part of the collection from Fara Boutique. It's a beautiful accompaniment to the strapless dress she's wearing. The look is finished using strong neck and ear pieces but staying with metallic, in this case gold, to allow the scarf to really take centre-stage.


Nude lips, a little drama on the eyes and hair in a soft up-do, Ness could wear this look in New York or London, Paris or Rome and look as at home as she is walking through Victoria Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The dress was thrifted, by the way, from a Saint Vincent de Paul charity shop my friend Jen volunteers at: a reminder that we should keep an open mind about where we shop. The leather heels are Nessa's current favourite Isabella Anselmi from Overland Footwear and the clutch was a recent addition to my collection from Colette by Colette Hayman.

Photography: David Ford of Phoxford - Model: Di Lopez-McLellan

It started with a scarf and a promise. My friend Louise enthusiastically agreed to take some shots in New Zealand of her favourite scarf from Fara Boutique. More than a year on from this, she asked if I could lend a hand styling up some looks for a girls' road trip of Christchurch and Oxford to capture scenes of Canterbury. The challenge: the looks all had to feature the scarf and my models would be myself, Louise and three of our friends. Game on!

For my part I wanted to focus on the clothes, rather than the sights and this challenge got me thinking about the ways that scarves can be used. I decided to go with five very distinct styles, each demonstrating the utility and versatility of this oft forgotten accessory.

Keep an eye out for the Goa Scarf series where I take you through each of the looks and some ideas of how to use your scarves. There are also some great urban New Zealand scenes with photos from David Ford of Phoxford and Ness Guerrero.

Since the 1920s and the feature in Vogue of a simple black dress by designer Coco Chanel, the item fondly referred to as LBD has been a core component of the modern woman's wardrobe. Whether your little black dress is a curve hugging bandage bodycon or a shapely fit-n-flare, choosing one with barely there detailing, in a quality fabric and in a cut that suits your body shape forms the basics.

But black is... well it's black. So with the goal of helping you get the most out of your LBD for dressing it up and dressing it down, here are a dozen styling ideas.

1. Use a statement necklace. This gorgeous orange and gold one was thrifted for a mere $5.99 NZD. Use big and colourful bling for casual cocktails, a coffee date and for daywear with a cute jacket or neat cardigan. Pearls and diamante add a classy finish with a polished up-do to your evening out.
2. An evening jacket like this crop one from Pagani is great for formal dinners and the theatre: any event where you're sitting around in a large, cold room.
3. A business blazer makes the LBD office ready. Use bold colour such as red for a striking, contrast effect or darker colours such as black, grey or navy for a more sophisticated look.
4. A brooch can create a subtle and sophisticated detail. This diamante one is great for making a simple dress fit for a formal occasion.
5. Extend the concept of a brooch by using it on the shoulder rather than the breast. A single, large fabric florette like this makes a distinctive design detail. Tone-on-tone is subtle and looks like it's part of the original design... or...
6. ...use a couple of them in colour for something fun and flirty suitable for wearing to afternoon tea, the races, a barbeque or picnic event. The floral brooches I used were bought from KMart for around $3.00 NZD each. And because they're brooches, it's quick to pop on and quickly undone too!
7. Work some washi tape magic (check out the graphic below). This very thin tape can be run along the hemline, on the shoulder or the waist. Good for a single use and available in a wide variety of designs.
8. Belt it! Need I say more?
9. Use a ribbon as detailing on the waist: trim to the right length and simply use a small tacking stitch to hold it in place. Easy enough to undo and change out. Or, if you're in a hurry, just tie the ribbon with a bow at the back or to the side. If you don't mind spending ten minutes to carry out some stitching, you can also tack the ribbon to your hemline.
10. Don't have a suitable belt? A bedazzled scarf can work just as well.
11. Use a beaded or sequinned scarf or fabric instead of a necklace.
12. If black's not the best shade for you (and some ladies can look a little washed out) try a scarf so that the colour nearest your face is one that complements your complexion. Larger scarves worn winter-style like this are good for cold weather or for a chic finish wear a less bulky one Parisienne style.