The event represents a huge collaborative effort and practical demonstration of what a sustainable city will look and feel like, given the creative solutions already provided by New Zealanders today.

Visitors will follow a journey through various zones — from the home to the shop, the workplace to outside space. There’s over 120 exhibitors signed up o the event, so it’s going to be a biggie. And the exhibitors are diverse, showcasing everything from electric vehicles to eco-tourism, ethical fashion to natural burials.

November 9th kicks off with a Conscious Commuter Challenge on the Waterfront, featuring an array of sustainable and ethically minded breakfast foods and a chance to network with like-minded business people. A range of demonstrations highlighting sustainability – including composting, healthy living, sustainable food and cooking, green transport and more – will be happening throughout the day.

Rounding off the showcase will be a Green Drinks networking evening.

When: Free public open day on 9th November

Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Auckland

When I’m designing a collection I’m always thinking of ways in which I can create a garment that will be loved for years to come – not thrown out next season. However, when chatting about this we realised that sometimes our tastes and body change, and sometimes you just need a bit of a refresh.

This got us thinking – how can we increase the life of Starfish garments beyond their design – and we came up with The Starfish Big Exchange, which works like this.

If you have a past season Starfish or Laurie Foon garment hanging in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn for a while  – but think that someone else might love, bring it in to any of our three stores (Newmarket, Ponsonby and Wellington) to receive a 50% DISCOUNT on the original retail price of our current Winter ‘11 collection – Seven Sisters.

We’re hoping that The Big Starfish Exchange will be a great way to give your old Starfish or Laurie Foon garments a new life, and at the same time give your own wardrobe a re-fresh. We’ll be cherry picking key pieces that you bring in and adding them to our in-store Vintage Rack. The remainder will be donated to Eva’s Attic, a Wellington based initiative where gifted premium pre-loved clothing and other treasures are sold with all profits going to charity.

I look forward to seeing you with some blasts from the past – soon to be someone else’s new best friend.

Laurie

• Conditions – The exchange is limited to Starfish and Laurie Foon labels only. Clothing must be in good wearing condition, and be freshly cleaned or laundered.
• Charities supported by Eva’s Attc include: Youth Line, New Horizons for Women, Huha Helping you Help Animals, Wellington Rape Crisis and Cambodia Charitable Trust

In celebration of Fair Trade Fortnight (May 7th – May 22nd) we are excited to be displaying a photography exhibition with a selection of images from Fairtrade ANZ’s collection.

The small collection of photos taken in Papa New Guinea amongst Fairtrade Certified Farmers and applicants, aims to expose the populations diversity and portray communities that are working hard to improve their social and economic position, plus encouraging consumers in NZ to support their efforts and make better choices.

These will be on display in our Wellington store from Friday onwards. We look forward to seeing you in-store.

Two days of sale madness, mayhem and magic. Starfish will be offering up some unbelivable discounts on past season goodies, so be sure to bring your eco bags along to haul home all your loot!

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th March at Aucklands Shed 6 & 7, 90 Wellesley St, Freemans Bay. Doors will open at 10.30.

Entry by gold coin donation, with all funds raised donated to the Auckland City Mission. See you all there!

Each power-pack purchased is also supported by Airshed and will have its Greenhouse Gas emissions offset using high quality Gold Standard carbon offsets.

You can redeem your 15% discount voucher at Starfish by 24 December 2010 by printing off your Powershop ‘Starfish Fashion’ receipt and presenting it when making a purchase.

Laurie reckons that ”unveiling the Auckland store feels better than Christmas.  The Auckland project has been my baby for sometime now and seeing it come to fruition makes me feel like a proud mother”.

Many of our clothes are made in Auckland and it will be great to strengthen our relationship with the city. We’ve also been wanting to offer Auckland the full Starfish experience for a while now – including all of the other fantastic brands we carry including:  Terra Plana shoes, Nancybird handbags, Kowtow (women’s tees), Keep Cups, Veja shoes and Moki clogs.

Planning the store opening hasn’t been without hiccups. The store fittings were being constructed in Christchurch, which after the earthquake has had set backs. However, Troy from Aridium Design has been an absolute star, and dispite half of his house falling away battled on to complete the job – and it looks fantastic!

So make sure you come and visit us – we look forward to seeing you.

By purchasing a Project Crimson Bloomer tee between now and Sunday 12th Sept, you’ll automatically go into the draw to win two tickets to Fashion Week. The tees are on sale for $30 (down from $55) and are available at the Wellington Starfish store by cash transaction or online at www.projectcrimson.org.nz.

As Laurie says – “Now, more than ever, people are keen to help make a difference to our environment. Partnering with Project Crimson allows us to help our customers do exactly that.” On that note, all of the proceeds from the Bloomer tees go directly back to the Project Crimson Trust.

For terms and conditions go to www.projectcrimson.org.nz

The Spring Collections is a ‘not to be missed’ fashion event which will showcase some of the South Islands top retailers and designers including yours truly – STARFISH.

We’re really excited about this event because not only does it give us the opportunity to show off our fantastic summer collection ‘Free Radicals’ on the catwalk, but because the event also supports the NEW ZEALAND BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION – a charity very close to our hearts.

In addition to the fashion show there will be designer and retail fashion awards to commend those involved in the South Island fashion community. This is a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge those in the industry.

Other retailers presenting at this event include Andrea Moore, Ballantynes, Barkers, Contemporary Lounge, Gilly Melhop, Gregory, Head Over Heels, Jane Daniels, Kooky, Little Brother, Long Island, and Sergios.

After party at Bangalore Polo Club.

When: Thu 16 September 2010 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery – Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Cnr Worcester Boulevard and Montreal St, Christchurch
Tickets: Available at participating retailers. Silver: $30.00
Gold: $45.00
VIP: $65.00

Buying fairtrade products makes a real difference for the producers in the developing countries from which they originate. It means a better future for the workers, their families and communities by providing a fair income for a job well done.

To celebrate all thing fairtrade, come into Starfish during the fortnight for the following deals and events:

‘COTTON’ PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: faces, lives & realities normally hidden or forgotten by the clothing industry – All proceeds go to the Wichi Art School for under-privileged children in Varanassi, India;
10% OFF KOWTOW – Fairtrade organic cotton clothing;
10% OFF DESCENDANT – Fairtrade organic denim (wgtn only);
OXFAM COFFEE BREAK (Fri 14 May) – Come in and enjoy a cup or PEOPLES COFFEE. All proceeds go to Oxfam;
OXFAM KEEPCUPS – Purchase your own barista friendly reusable coffee cup. All proceeds go to Oxfam;
VEJA FAIRTRADE TRAINERS – New season colours and styles.

Starfish is thrilled to bring a full range of sustainable fashion to Auckland for the month of May, opening a pop-up-store in Newmarket.

On the racks will be an extensive selection from the winter 2010 collection BRAVE NEW WORLD, as well as a range of other labels and footwear that offer both ladies & gents style with an ethical edge including:
Kowtow fairtrade garments, Descendant organic denim and Veja fairtrade trainers.