Want new threads but can't afford them in these straitened times? Got some old clothes that you want to see go to a good home? Worried about the environmental obscenity of our throw-away fashion culture? Then The Big Shwop is for you.

The concept of "swishing", clothes-swapping parties for eco-conscious fashionistas, has been around for a while. Our lovely lovely lovely friends at Pretty Pretty Pretty also had a "dud-swap" for cosmetic products at their big party. But The Big Shwop takes it to a more public level, with their first Shwop happening at the Southern Cross on Saturday August the 2nd. For more details on how it works, see their web site.

The Cuba St version of the Illicit stores is closing its doors soon. And it will be replaced by...an Illicit store: Miss Illicit.

Illicit boutique will be closing to make way for our new MISS ILLICIT BOUTIQUE!

Sale starts July 3rd and ends on July 20th. Miss Illicit will open in the same spot on July 23rd...see you all there!

The CAPS are theirs. And yeah it started yesterday, but I didn't get the email until last night, sorry about that.

There is nothing this girl loves more than checking out jewelry, because hello, it's mostly sparkly and shiny.

Celebrating that very fact is Shine, a jewelry exhibition with a bit of a twist. Instead of your standard hanging from the walls and encased in boxes exhibit, Shine is a a performance exhibition where contemporary and burlesque dancers, actors and circus performers will all be adorned by the creations of six women jewelers from around New Zealand.

In their own words:

"It will be quite unlike any jewellery exhibition you've seen; glowing, luminous works will be presented in context, close to the skin, moving, in conversation with its human environment in a glorious evening of burlesque dance. Streams of pearls, gleaming silver chain-links quivering on skin; feathers tickling just underneath a chin... this is a performance that glorifies beauty, and welcomes the human form in all its shapes."

When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 29 - 31st May, 9pm

Book at the Paramount 04 384 4080

Tickets:
* $30 Adult
* $20 Groups 10+
* $15 Concession

web: http://www.myspace.com/shinejewellery

Months and months ago I went looking for a shave. I went into many places that claimed to be a "barber" and was told "Nah, we don't do that you need to go to a barber".

Well, the other day I was handed a pamphlet by a very well-groomed young man. It was for Groom Barber Stylists and (LO!) they do hot towel shaves.

A luxury 35-45 minutes. This traditional hot towel shave is something every man should experience. A mini-facial with sharp trim up to finish should put your man in the mood for that special day. APPOINTMENT ONLY.

So if you're feeling a little hairy (and have a spare $75) give it a go. And if you've already had one or know of another place that does them, please leave a comment.

Groom Barbers
306 Tinakori Rd
Thorndon
472 5605

UPDATE: (via Mr Tibby) Barbershops are making a comeback [The Age]

All you budding young clothes designers out there should be getting whatever it is you use to design clothes ready for The Hinitiative and Wellington City Mission T-Shirt design contest that kicked off this week.

Open to all Wellington high school students, entries will be judged by a panel that includes Wellington fashion designer, Robyn Mathieson, clothing stores Fusion Surf & Skate and Rex Royale, and The Church design company. The first place winner takes home $300 in store vouchers. Second, third also get store vouchers, but not quite so many. In addition, all four finalists will have their winning designs produced into t-shirts by The Hinitiative and sold by selected stores in Wellington to help benefit Wellington City Mission.

Do good, and look good doing it.

More info at the Hinitiative website, and here's a direct link to the design brief. Contest deadline is Saturday 11 August.

Right now, as we speak, the Costume Cave 2 is selling old theatre, TV and film clothes for you to prance around in.

Looking for that Hawaiian attire for a certain Friday party or maybe for that 1977 look then I'm sure they can help you out.

Here at Wellingonista Towers the boys are already accessorising and the girls are eagerly awaiting the catwalk parade later on. If you see any of us buying Xena frocks, over sized and outlandish hats or SciFi silver knee-high boots, give us a smile and ask us for a twirl!

Where: Costume Cave 2
Where: Level 1, 233 Willis Street
When: now until Sunday 18th, 10am - 2pm

READ MORE

Do you have it? These guys do.

Seen outside Arizona this morning and sent in by a concerned Wellingtonista reader.

But even in their uni-thongs these guys have nothing on the guys diving naked into the harbour by the boatshed (no photos available, sorry ladies).

On my walk to Rawhide (see below) I saw:

• six groups of pirates
• more than a dozen netball teams
• fake construction workers
• real construction workers perving at…
• female police officers in short skirts
• no real police officers
• four groups of monks
• some mad scientists
• hundreds of drunk old men in matching Hawaiian shirts

So what's your favourite Sevens' costume team? Because we all know it's not about the rugby.

Ps. Check out Mike's photos for some good costume picks (I love the Moses.)

And by "Babes" I naturally mean those sexy Craftwerk babes:

Hey kids,
It's time to get excited again, because Craftwerk is only a week away!

These cats will be there...

• Electr!c Foxes - Crochet stupid bits.Think anatomical hearts, intestines, vaginas, dead bunnies and the like.
• Super Very - Pin up girl magnets and jewelry. So hot.
• A Low Hum - Camp Low Hum tickets, compilation CD's and Zines packed full of rad.
• The Neo Cons - Laser Cut Badges Zines and cds. Grayson Gilmore + So So Modern merch and other things.
• Triangle - Gloves and sleeves, Fimo Badges and 'Jean Bling'.
• White Fungus and Tim Bollinger - Independent publications: full range of White Fungus back-issues and comics by TIm Bollinger.
• Babylicious - Screen printed goodies for the little ones. Made by one of our Wellingtonistas!
• Toast! - Cute one off garments made in Nelson.
• Guillotine Zeens - Locally made Zines and comics. Felt me up Brooches.
• Noisywerks - Messenger and Tote bags made from retro and recycled fabrics. Felt purses and friendship bracelets.
• ISHLAND and VideoBlood - DVD's and badges. Find out what these crazy kids are up to next.
• Tacit - Badges, Brooches, hairpins, bags and notebooks - all crafted from everyday and discarded objects.
• Ard's Cards - Cute, fun, Iconic, photographic Cards.
• Tiny Happy - Bags, babies shoes and pants, all hand made from recycled fabrics.
• The Kitchin - a collection of kitchy bits and bobs.
  

Most of the time it's nice being the tallest female Wellingtonista (Martha and Natalie may get the column inches but I gots the height inches), but the trouble with being tall is that I need great big plates of meat as feet to support me. And you know what they say about girls with big feet - they need big shoes.

That's why I'm so excited that Willow Shoes - a website I've been shopping from for years since they specialise in shoes size 10 and up - has just opened up a branch in Wellington, in my neighbourhood even, at 27 C Waitoa Road in Hataitai. This is going to be especially handy (or err footy, badoom chish) now that Minx Shoes have moved their factory outlet from Waikanae to Otaki.

Do you have a hankering for a homburg? Are you bereft of bowlers? Is it time to farewell that fading fedora?

Fear not: Hank Cubitt is bringing his unique sartorial style to Wellington's bareheaded masses with the new Wellington Hatters shop in Woodward St. And Hank being Hank, he's not content to just bring you traditional headwear, so his offerings extend to straw top hats, patchwork tweed cheesecutters and feathered felt creations that will certainly help you stand out among the Lambton Quay crowds. It's not just for the chaps, either, as he also stocks chapeaux for the chapettes.

Now, does anyone have any hints on how to keep them on your head in a Wellington northerly? I once had a very fine Panama that ended up somewhere near the Chathams.