Lani Says

Kowtow – The Silent Space, part 1.

I look at ‘The Silent Space’ collection and think, this is so lovely and serene. I believe this is the result Kowtow‘s designer and director Gosia Piatek wanted to have, using Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, who creates spaces purely for a calming affect, as her muse.

Inspired by Tadao Ando’s creative use of natural light, Kowtow have also created another signature graphic all-over print, the ‘Reflection Print’, as seen on the fun jumpsuits and oversized parka. The collection also features the popular tee print ‘Angry Cloud’, which references Japanese pop culture and Manga, super kawaii.

The collection is entirely made from premium certified fairtrade organic cotton and dyed using GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) dyes that are free from formaldehyde, nickel, lead and other heavy metals, making the fabric buttery soft and amazing to wear.

‘The Silent Space’ will be available in store and online from August. Start assembling your wish-lists. I have the reflection print parka and jumpsuits high on mine!

I have spent the weekend recovering from what started as a very relaxing trip to Sydney, and ended with a bang. I was in Sydney for the launch of a number of Boohoo collections, as well as to celebrate its first year in New Zealand and Australia (expect many more posts on this to come). So, I’m obviously feelin the love when it comes to boohoo & Sydney. More links to more stuff I’m loving after the jump.

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A clever series of negative space designed animals by artist George Bokhua.

Whilst I am still without my own laptop, I do have a new phone, which came with the flipboard app pre-loaded and I am obsessed. I am reading and discovering so much more new and interesting things than ever before. If you have an ipad or smartphone, I highly recommend the app. I predict my bits & pieces section is going to become a lot more regular and interesting as a result. Here’s a bunch of cool things I found over the past week and loved.

A slideshow of work from photographer Todd McLellan’s book ‘Things Come Apart’  - the crazy cool deconstruction of everyday items.

Beautiful mirrored images of city skylines.

Photographer Henry Hargreaves recreates famous bands backstage riders in new series ‘Band Riders’

Greece holiday, anyone? A collection of amazing Greece hotels with breathtaking views.

This Ozzie homewares store, ‘Lightly’, is rad.

Throwing a party? Here’s some decoration tips.

I broke my laptop. I was re-watching The Wire season 2 at 3 in the morning, and spilt water on the keyboard, wiped it off, thought nothing of it, tried to start it in the morning. Dead. I even bought a 10 kg bag of rice and put my laptop in it to dry it out (don’t laugh, it worked for a friend and her phone once) (OK, laugh, I laughed too) But it was too far gone. So, I’ve been without blogging capabilities for awhile. The bf is going to have to lend me his laptop until I get it repaired/a new one but you know, he’s been busy of late finishing up a classic album and has been in more need of his laptop than I – hence the lack of posts. But I will be back properly, soon. Promise. Just thought I’d check in quickly with y’all. Cos, also, have you noticed how freaking rad my site looks now? Thanks to the cool kids at sorbet design.

Oh, and I got my hair colour re-up & this cool PassPort beanie from Arcade. Laters

After cafe hopping in Kingsland, Shirl and I went into the vintage and gift shop Mixt for a quick look. Maybe it was the two coffees in the space of an hour, but we went a wee bit crazy, left a little poorer but with a few super cool pieces we couldn’t wait to add to our rooms. Everything we bought was made by NZ designers, so cool!

Budgie & Puppy wreath stick-on wall decals by Evie Kemp, Bunting from Tikitibu by Jane Galloway,  Wooden jewellery tree by Newbies.

I also made my own bunting out of Kikki.K envelopes & cross stitch pieces my sister Talia made for me based on the David Dallas – Til Tomorrow  and Take A Picture  video animations. In case you’re wondering, Shirl’s bedding is from Urban Outfitters.

Woo! How cool does that look? I just had to do a lil collage of some of your pics from the first day. Thanks again to all of you who have decided to join in the fun of #InstaMay2013. The first subject to kick off the month has been choice to watch, definitely a fun pop-culture history lesson and a huge trip down memory lane with all your great music, movie and TV pic choices. I hope you all keep having fun for the rest of the month, see you tomorrow with something ‘delicious’. xxxx Lani xxxx

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