Stories

If you’re an avid fan of the Star Wars franchise, mark August 3 in your diary and prepare to get whisked off to a galaxy far, far away when the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra perform the epic soundtrack to Star Wars: A New Hope while the film screens in the background. It’s been over four decades since the film’s release and there’s no denying the sheer impact Star Wars has had on both cinema and culture. Witness first-hand the NZSO perform the extraordinary soundtrack live and ensure you don’t miss out on your chance to see this performance, it’s going to be a goodie! nzso.co.nz

Inject a dose of colour into your winter wardrobe this season and be bold with your colour palette. 1 twenty-seven names Dani coat from Infinite Definite2 Lulu Guinness Velvet Half Covered Lip Issy Hot Pink Clutch from Ballantynes3 juliette hogan Marni Tunic from Ballantynes4 King Coat from RUBY5 Frida Silk Skirt from RUBY6 L.K. Bennett Floret Ultra Blue Heel from Issimo 7 Lack of Color Teak Rancher Hat from Ballantynes8 Triangle scarf from Kate Sylvester9 Yu Mei 2/6 Grace Bucket bag from Infinite Definite10 JUST COAT IT Coat from Trelise Cooper11 Recycled Cotton Tee Sweater from Untouched World12 Barbour Leather Thinsulate Gloves from Ballantynes13 Zoe Kratzmann Protege from Issimo 14 Button Through Shirt from Witchery A, D, G Photo: Alessandro LucioniB, C Photo: Filippo FiorE Photo: ZimmermannF, H Photo: Kim Weston Arnold

Defying fashion conventions and proving her creativity prowess once again, Karen Walker’s latest sunglasses collection, Monumental x Marlon Williams, sees the couture queen teaming up with local muso Marlon Williams in a boundary-pushing collaboration. Taking inspiration from compelling outsiders who captivated the world with their rebel tendencies such as Steve McQueen, Sidney Poitier and Allen Ginsberg, the seven Monumental styles are “an homage to iconoclastic men who possess a transcendent rock ‘n’ roll energy that somehow makes the very atmosphere around them electric”. As well as taking its creative cue from the mentioned men, an exploration of looks that span several eras including the 50s and 70s is also incorporated into the design and execution of these styles – exaggerated size and contrast were contributing design specs. A firm favourite of Walker’s for many years thanks to his poetic lyrics and rebellious approach to music, it was only natural that the New...

Whether it is the sun, slopes or staycation you are dreaming of, Cityscape has you covered with the latest trends to inspire your winter holiday escape. Heating Up Tropical glam is all about chic swimsuits, beautiful dresses and understated sandals. Accessorise with a simple, oversized hat and up your arm candy with a cute bag. 1 Karen Walker Checkmate Crystal Madder2 Plaited Wide Brim Sunhat from Zimmermann3 Market Bag from Ruby4 Kora Organics Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion from Ballantynes5 Sol Sana Teresa Slide from Infinite Definite Après-ski When you make tracks on your winter adventure puffer jackets, turtlenecks and cosy beanies are the go-to! 1 Sherbert Beanie from Ruby2 Photo: Dave Lehl Photography3 Sorel W Tofino 2 from Issimo4 Karen Walker Hallelujah from Ballantynes In the city Cruise around the city in effortless style by pairing oversized knitwear with silky skirts and comfy sneakers. 1 Photo: W Room, Lisa Marie Prang2 Karen...

The scaffolding is coming down, the show home signs are going up and so are some ‘Sold’ stickers as early adopters make their move. Cityscape dishes the deets on what’s going up downtown as Christchurch’s inner city becomes home to some very hip addresses. The council wants it, the developers want it, and the many central-city hospo and entertainment businesses are pretty keen. And now the home buyers of Christchurch are coming to the party as well. Little by little, the many and increasing opportunities available for inner-city living, from luxury apartments to more modest developments, are turning the tide. And having all the delights of the CBD within strolling distance is a big part of that – people are being won over by being able to step out their front door into a city popping with hip eateries, fresh entertainment offerings, green spaces and unexpected urban delights. Research also shows...

Want to get ahead of the curve with your interior colour scheme? Resene consultant Rebecca Long gives Cityscape the skinny on the trends and where they come from. Do interior fashions follow catwalk fashions? Yes! Don’t be surprised to see that your outfit complements your interior colour scheme. Runways produce an array of colours and styles and often illustrate social movements and change. For example, with the increase in concern for the environment, fashion designers are experimenting with natural fibres and finishes. These fabrics are also used for interior décor (curtains, cushions etc) and patterns and colours often follow on after. Soft greens such as Resene Peace create a beautiful backdrop for these fabrics to enhance the sense of wellness. What dictates where interior colours and styles are going? Colour trends are influenced by what is going on around us in the world. For example, pastel pink tones were popular in...

The ultimate resort party town, Queenstown is where white-knuckle outdoor adventure activities sit alongside swanky bars and some serious dining. The area is a great outdoor playground with its tranquil lakes and ragged, towering mountains (and wait until sunset!). Any time of the year is good for a lavish escape to Queenstown but the town and its surrounds really shine when it comes to winter escapes. Ski slopes, roaring fires, red wine, stunning views and a blanket of snow that brings out the adventurer in everyone; Queenstown in winter is a wonderland like no other. And what better way to explore it than in a new MINI Countryman. We took one with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive option for a spin down to Queenstown and it was perfect for keeping out of trouble on sweeping highway bends and the occasional patch of ice as well. The elevated roof racks mean it’s easy to...

Here’s a heads-up to all those Cityscapers who like their sport – bigger is better when it comes to watching the game on TV, and with the Rugby World Cup coming in September now is the time to scale up the screen. In fact, whatever you like to watch on TV looks better on one of these monsters. Samsung’s latest Q900 QLED 8K televisions combine unbelievable picture quality with a slick, sophisticated design. That crisp picture is the result of 33 million pixels doing their thing, and with a range of sizes up to 98”, you’ll be well placed to argue with the referees. When not in use, the screen can be quickly transformed into a stylish display to complement the rest of your interior. Display pictures, art, time, weather, or take a snapshot of your wall to let the screen seamlessly blend in. LG also has 98” and 86” screens...

Winter luxury is all about feeling cocooned and the dramatic new colour trend of dark tone-on-tone rooms does just that. Furnishings that almost blend into the wall colour allow you to keep the overall look minimalist or plush, depending on accessories. The room’s grid format feature wall in Resene Twilight Zone adds another layer. Complementary tones such as the coffee table and sideboard in Resene Indian Ink; the vase, tealight holder and bowl in the true blue of Resene King Tide; and the muted Resene Excalibur on the tray and pot add strength and depth to the room. resene.co.nz

Give your interiors a winter refresh and take inspiration from the new range of products in store at Fabric House. For a simple pop of colour to break up your current décor, the blue and white vases (Large RRP $165, Small RRP $158) will add quirk and dimension to your side table or dresser and the gorgeous Tweedmill 100% wool throws (RRP $150) will not only add an extra layer of warmth to your bed but keep you cosy and warm through those cooler evenings. fabrichouse.co.nz

Christchurch artist Tony Cribb tells Cityscape how his hugely popular Tin Man creation was a happy accident that now has a life of its own. Is Tin Man based on anyone you know? For around the first 200 paintings (currently there are 935) Tin Man was very much my alter ego. A lot of the paintings are random silly things, but some things that happened to me personally would end up in a painting. For example, one day I went for a run in the Port Hills and everything was bliss, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I was feeling great. Then a small bug flew into my mouth. This became the painting Tin Man 331 The Day He Filled His Lungs With Love, Freedom, And A Small Bug. Then I realised that Tin Man reminded other people of their own memories – they believed they were him, so...

American mezzo soprano Sandra Piques Eddy will be singing the part of Rosina in NZ Opera’s season of The Barber of Seville. She tells Cityscape how she got the opera bug, what she does to relax, and how much she is looking forward to performing for a New Zealand audience. You have an extensive career in the world of opera. If there was one performance that has been your favourite, what was it and why? It would be difficult to choose only one. My favourite moments on stage and in rehearsals are the moments that feel completely connected, acting and singing-wise. I’m most excited about the operas where the music and drama are equally matched. Optimal performances feel prepared and spontaneous at the same time. A few years ago, I was in a production of The Coronation of Poppea at Opera North in England and that was riveting, charming, sexy, and...

Confronting his past has liberated Jimmy Barnes. The Australian rock icon talks to Cityscape about the importance of doing what you love with the people you love. Honestly. Jimmy Barnes is heading back on the road to do what he does best. After a series of sold-out theatre shows associated with his bestselling memoirs, in which he laid bare a childhood of abuse and violence, it’s time to kick out the jams, a full-bore rock ‘n’ roll band behind him and a new album’s worth of songs to perform.  Your last tours were linked to your memoirs and featured stripped back versions of your songs but this tour sounds like a return to full-throated rock ‘n’ roll? How does that feel? It’s good. I’ve done a couple of tours now, like the book tours, and as much as they were enlightening and fun, it’s really great to be back doing what I...

Cityscape turns to the experts to find out what every kitchen really needs. Fads and fashions come and go but for Sandra McLay of Total Food Equipment, on Moorhouse Avenue, the real kitchen essentials are “a good knife, good cookware and a good food processor”. It’s 10 years in November since Sandra opened her store. After several shifts due to the earthquakes, TFE settled into its Moorhouse Avenue spot six years ago. As things have settled and people have stocked their rebuilt or replaced homes, she has noticed increased demand for quality. “People are realising that if you skimp on something, you’ll regret it. Buy once, buy right – and a lot of the younger generation are starting to realise that.”TFE is both a retail and commercial store, meaning everything it stocks, including high-end products intended for restaurant kitchens and the like, is available to the public. It also means commercial customers can...

We tap the experts at Belgian Beer Café Torenhof for a recipe and beer match perfect for these cooler months. This winter warmer combines the delicate flavours of seafood with the texture of a delicious buttery sauce and the astringent bite of spinach. The sauce ensures close contact between all the ingredients while the lasagne is baking in the oven and creates the unity of flavour that makes this dish so tasty. Match with: Hoegaarden White. Serves: 4. Ingredients 6 mussels in the shell6 oysters in the shell300ml white sauce15ml Hoegaarden White4 scampi, halved lengthways4 scallops, halved lengthways10 lasagne sheets50g spinach Method Place the mussels in a pan over heat and leave them to open. Remove from shells.Using the strained mussel juice and the juice from the oyster shells, make a smooth, thick sauce by bringing the liquid to the boil and whisking in sufficient white sauce.Poach the raw oysters briefly in...

The Euro chic interior and the buzz of its open kitchen deliver on important first impressions but it’s Earl’s fresh local ingredients and striking combinations that really leave you wanting to return for more. Earl’s Classic Meatballs have won over another couple of fans, smitten by the pork-rich goodness of the balls and the acidic zing of the tomato sugo that coats them. Our eyes were still taking in the Lichfield Street restaurant’s Euro chic interior of wood, steel and glass and the bustle of the open kitchen at its heart but with the arrival of the Share plate of meatballs the focus became firmly front and centre. Earl was buzzing on the busy Thursday evening that we visited. Regardless, we were soon seated and owner and maître d’ Tom had us sorted with menus and a plate of their house-baked sour dough with smoked butter. Earl’s wine list each week...

Cityscape talks new music, opening for AC/DC and favourite tour  food with Villainy lead singer Neill Fraser. What can we expect from your upcoming album Raised In The Dark? This is our third record and it feels like the true evolution from the first two. We wrote something like 110 songs before committing to the 15 or so we recorded and then paired it back to 10 for the final sequence. We're not a one trick pony "rock" band and there is a lot of variation across those tracks from the really balls-out heavy songs to more introspective tracks. I'm really looking forward to hearing which ones hit home for our fans because there is so much depth in there. How would you say the music industry has evolved since you guys first started out? When we started up it was still all about getting on radio, selling CD's and hitting the road...

Cityscape spoke with Vanessa Ortynsky about what excites her the most about Christchurch, what brand she would love to work with and her favourite early morning hotspot for a coffee. What excites you about Christchurch? There’s always something new to discover in Christchurch. New businesses are opening all the time and there’s so much opportunity here. I love supporting the hard-working people who are making this city such a wonderful place to live. Anything coming that you’re particularly looking forward to? I just got married (in Christchurch, of course) and my husband and I are about to embark on a working/studying honeymoon in Amsterdam. I love returning to Christchurch with a new perspective. Plus there are always new cafés that open up whenever I go away. If you had $5000 to spend in one store, where would you go? Infinite Definite is a beautiful locally owned store that supports New Zealand...