Enter another world where the human body becomes a canvas. New Zealand’s World of Wearable Art Awards bends traditional perceptions of art, technology and fashion. It choreographs garments made of all sorts of unorthodox materials into a visceral performance that dazzles the senses. For me this is the greatest show on earth. Each year the awardsContinue reading “Wearable art rebels against the mundane”
Category Archives: New Zealand
2015 WOW awards winners
2015 WOW Awards Winners There were 107 entries by 123 designers (some, who worked in pairs on one entry) chosen to appear in this year’s show to compete for a prize pool of 40 awards with a combined value of $NZ165,000. A total of 13 New Zealand-designed garments won 15 awards and 24 awards wereContinue reading “2015 WOW awards winners”
Travel tip: Nail polish detects date rape drugs
A new nail polish detects date rape drugs such as GBH, Xanax and Rohypnol. This extraordinary invention has been revealed on one of my favourite websites Not Impossible Now. Four students at North Carolina State University invented the nail polish. The brand is called Undercover Colors. Women can simply dip their fingers into their drinks, whichContinue reading “Travel tip: Nail polish detects date rape drugs”
Best and worst liveable cities
One of the joys of travelling is finding an exciting new city where you’d like to put down roots for a while. If you’re looking for a criteria, this will help. The latest results of the 2014 Economist Intelligence Unit Liveable Cities survey rank the best and worst liveable cities with Damascus at the bottomContinue reading “Best and worst liveable cities”
A New Zealand rose
A New Zealand rose by any other name would be Ellie, my late mother. She was an expert rosarian and she would encourage you to visit the country’s abundantly glorious gardens – places of serenity in a crazy world.
Hokitika – wild home of The Luminaries
Ever heard of Hokitika? It’s on the wild, wild West Coast of NZ where the 832-page Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Luminaries is set, written by Kiwi writer Eleanor Catton, aged only 28. Not many people go there.
Floriditas a recipe for success
Floriditas is a cool cafe and restaurant in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand. It’s streets ahead of competitors with simple, fresh food and consistent service.
World’s weirdest food festivals
A guide to the wackiest food fests: from melon smashing and cheese rolling, to eating goat testicle or porcupine stew, or sipping gorse flower wine. Take your pick.
Tasting the royal Feilding Farmers Market
The Feilding Farmers Market in small town New Zealand has been voted the best, and even attracted British royals Charles and Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
World wine travel map of 2050
Say bye to Napa Valley and hello to Chateau Russia. Climate change will alter the wine map by 2050.