Stories

Since winning the coveted title, the young designer has had “a pretty crazy couple of months” of sewing and learning, learning and sewing that has culminated in the launch of her own collection for Ballantynes Contemporary Lounge and online. The Millie Askew collection is “rural, retro, farmer”, says its creator. Like all her designs, it draws inspiration from the people around her. “I might see something a friend is wearing and take parts of that, or get inspired by their creative practices. My designs start with a bit of a feeling or a mood develops, taking bits of things from everyday life and talking to people.” Pux-Askew certainly didn’t expect to win when she entered the Ballantynes Emerging Designer competition. “I entered on a whim, really, and got the project together two weeks before it was due.” Since then, the biggest challenge has been managing the many other people involved in taking...

Cityscape talks to globe-trotting violin virtuoso Benjamin Morrison.  What sparked your passion to play the violin? Two experiences stand out to me: the first when I was 10 years old. I had the opportunity to perform Albinoni's Adagio with orchestra and Robert Tait conducting. During the performance I felt a powerful desire to share the passion and emotions within the piece with the audience. The second was at 13 years old when I discovered the joy of chamber music and playing music together. I was a first-year student at Burnside High School and was put into an octet with seven other members all older and more experienced than I was. Seeing how much fun and love they had for music really inspired me and ignited my passion for being a part of a larger whole. Being appointed to the Vienna Philharmonic’s (renowned as one of the world’s finest orchestras) 1st violin...

The Melbourne-esque nooks and crannies of Christchurch are rapidly becoming an explorer’s paradise. Sizzling style, tiny treasures, mystical make-overs and classy culinary creations lie in wait around every corner. So don your best Dr Livingstone pith helmet and get out and explore the wilds of the inner city. You won’t need to tie a string to a pole to find your way out … you may not actually want to come out again! The best way to navigate the central city is by foot – find your ‘sole mate’ at one of the many great boot-iques. Sure, you can climb aboard a Lime, but there’s a lot to miss if you whizz by at 25kph. If you haven’t swung by Christchurch institution Ballantynes for a while, it’s worth a good nosey around – it’s not the Ballys your Nana knew (well, not all of it. Nana will still be quite happy in the...

Some of you know him as a Cityscape account manager but did you know he has a funky wee side hustle? Derek Thorp is mad about fixed-gear bicycles and is bringing them to NZ with his new company, Bespoked Cycles. Favourite YouTube clip? At the moment I’m watching lots of fixed-gear documentaries and clips but I’m a bit of an erratic YouTube user – I always end up heading off in different directions. Celebrity crush? Mila Kunis. What you're reading? I have just picked up Snap by Belinda Bauer. Your vice? I would have to say that tattoos are my wee vice. Your secret shame? I’m addicted to shoes. Favourite drink? I have been knocking back the ciders at the moment due to the good weather. Fave material possession? Would have to be my new track bike that I have just built. I’m loving getting out there and smashing it at...

Cityscape caught up with local songstress Theia to talk inspiration, her upcoming EP Not Your Princess and working with Mike Elizondo. We’re loving your track ‘Not Your Princess’. What was the inspo behind that? It’s a sassy song – a declaration of independence. It came about when I was in Sydney late last year and feeling really inspired from working with new people. After a pretty full on and challenging year, it was just really liberating to feel that sense of freedom. You wrote ‘Bye Bye’ with the legendary Mike Elizondo (whose résumé includes working with the likes of Eminem and Dr Dre), and other top-notch musos – what was that experience like and did you have any fan girl moments? Mike is the kindest guy and so talented. I loved working with him. We just got stuck in and wrote ‘Bye Bye’ in a day. A few months later, I...

Cityscape took a look over some of the The Central Art Gallery's pieces and chatted with its director, Jonathan Smart. Tell us more about the families behind the gallery – who are they, how did it come about? There are five Christchurch families behind the Gallery – all wishing to see a sustainable commercial gallery for contemporary art established within the new city centre. And although the Arts Centre is a gem of an historical precinct, the graceful context of the old University library is a pretty good one for contemporary NZ art. What exciting exhibitions are coming? Anything you can tease us with? Exciting exhibitions in the coming months include solo shows by much loved Christchurch sculptors Neil Dawson and Bing Dawe, with local printmaker Fiona van Oyen and celebrated artist John Pule sharing the space between – both presenting vibrant new flora-based work. A good example of what Fiona...

Get away from all the hustle and bustle in… the middle of Christchurch? The Tack Rooms at the corner of Montreal and Peterborough streets are a quiet refuge and perfect for a weekend away. What began as an army barracks in 1967 is now a place for people who are looking for more than a sterile hotel room. A short stroll to the west lands you in Hagley Park, or an even shorter stroll to the east will find you in the heart of Victoria Street, ready to wine, dine, and forget about a sober driver. The rooms themselves are simultaneously minimal and luxurious, open and intimate. The Tack Rooms offer large guest rooms, gorgeous gathering areas and an eye firmly on design. A place to stay and a place to play, the Tack Rooms are for people with a weakness for a good time. tackrooms.co.nz

Heads have been turning down the western end of Moorhouse Ave, with the opening of the new BMW/MINI showroom at 104. The first dedicated MINI showroom in the South Island has a tactile wall of colours and trims, so you can actually run your fingers across the leather to get a real feel for what awaits you in your beautiful new vehicle and see what that racing green will actually look like in the sun. The entire showroom is massive, and kitted out with all the latest toys – and, of course, some of the coolest cars in the world. The new BMW M2 Competition is a star in the showroom, and one of only a few available in the country. It’s been hailed as the successor to the legendary M3 Evo because it’s such a balanced driver’s car. Secure a test drive today. christchurchbmw.co.nz

A boutique eatery in the heart of the South Frame is the latest project from developers Box 112 to open. The Yard, at 173 St Asaph Street, houses eight artisan food producers in a large hall that was once home to bookbinders McHargs. The development retains the semi-industrial feel of the 1950s building and complements it with architectural features recycled from the former air force base at Wigram, including distinctive large green doors from the base’s hangars. Deliberately bringing a group of small operators under one roof, The Yard is bound to sate your hunger for international eats, whether that be Korean pancakes, Chinese crepes, or Sri Lankan, Thai or Malaysian fare. theyardchch.nz

Graeme James, one of the country’s most streamed indie artists, is hitting the road to tour his Nettwerk label debut album The Long Way Home. It’s been a whirlwind of a year for the muso, who went international and racked up a cool 25,000km on his extensive – and highly successful – North American tour. Boasting 20million streams on Spotify, James has garnered a loyal fan base and there’s a rumour that his New Zealand shows are on the cusp of selling out. Catch the wild talents of James – he can effortlessly play the electric violin, guitar, bass, baritone ukulele, mandolin, harmonica and percussion while stomping on his famous loop pedal – when he hits Blue Smoke, May 18. graemejamesmusic.com Image: Kyman Cheng

Whether you love it or hate it, 2019 is the year of denim according to savvy style mavens at leading luxe brand curator, Net-a-Porter. The crème de la crème of fashion powerhouses – think Fendi and Miu Miu plus the who’s who of the modelling and influencer world – are rocking the hottest looks off the runway with Net-a-Porter singling high-rise, straight-leg jeans out as the go-to cut of the year. Their numero uno styling tip: embrace it. As for double denim, nail the right wash combo and you’re away giving ol’ Britney and Justin circa 2001 a run for their denim money. And if you’re unsure about which wash is right for you, take your cue from the likes of Altazurra whose raw indigo denim is universally flattering and crisp.    

Travel blogger Justine Tyerman comes close to hugging a strange man at the airport in Marrakech. Never underestimate the sheer joy of a transfer from airport to hotel in a seriously foreign country, especially when in that twilight zombie zone of the sleep-deprived after 30 hours of travel. It’s one of the most valuable aspects of booking with an experienced travel company. The heady thrill of seeing my name on a piece of cardboard was the most beautiful thing as I cleared customs in Marrakech. I stopped just short of hugging Lyazid, who had been waiting there patiently to collect me, holding up the large card with Ms Justine Tyerman on it. Checking-in at the luxurious five-star Sofitel Marrakech was a dream. Smart men in traditional Moroccan costume opened doors to a haven of cool and whisked my case up to my room, which just happened to have a large balcony overlooking...

Cityscape chats with Richard Peebles, Kris Inglis and Mike Percasky who are leading the charge in terms of developments around the city. Why should locals get out and explore the inner city? There is so much to see and do. The city is really starting to come alive with some vibrant retail and interesting hospitality places along with some amazing architecture and cultural attractions like the new library, riverside promenade, Margaret Mahy playground, etc. People need to get out and discover and connect with the inner city as there really are a lot of very cool and interesting parts of the rebuild that we can all be very proud to call home; places that are starting to create a point of difference to other NZ cities. What are some of the hidden gems among the laneways as the city develops? Every laneway will be slightly different and offer a new opportunity for discovery. Each...

Summer’s warm whispers are soon to be a distant memory so autumn is the perfect time to collate tropical bucket lists. Set on St Lucia’s Southwestern Coast, the Jade Mountain Resort is the stuff of day dreams. Sitting pretty on a cliffside with a maze of dramatic suspension bridges connecting each suite to the common areas and infinity pools, the five-star luxury resort hotel offers plenty to do when you’re not staring slack-jawed at the scenery. Snorkel in the glistening bays, get all vinyasa with the resident yoga instructor, pamper yourself silly at the boutique spa, hike to local waterfalls, gallop along on the white sand beaches, or feast on the spoils of the hotel’s own organic farm and the very finest Caribbean kingfish ceviche, giant prawns and Chateaubriand steak courtesy of your own around-the-clock butler. jademountain.com

If there’s one thing Canterbury has, it’s plenty of sunlight, and solar panels have come a long way since they first hit our rooves some 35 years ago. Harvey Norman Commercial has recently teamed up with World Solar to bring the latest all-black solar panels and storage to the market, getting power to more people. Solar power is also going into more businesses than ever before, and with slick, sexy styling that adds value to your biggest investment, there’s never been a better time to harness the natural power of sunlight. Talk to Craig Shaw on 03 363 5910.harveynorman.co.nz/worldsolar

Cityscape taps the talents of  Station Road's Gavin How for some interior design inspiration. How did the business come about? Station Road Home began 25 years ago, founded by my father. He was handcrafting furniture from solid timbers which quickly progressed into a family business with a strong focus on premium craftsmanship, internationally inspired styles and artisan hand finishes. While time has moved on, Station Road is still an independent family business which holds true to these values. What got you into furniture and interiors? I don’t ever remember a time when I wasn’t passionate about design, craftsmanship and beautifully made furniture, interiors and architecture – I think they call this the furniture bug! When the family started in furniture, it was a natural progression for me to include the design and retail aspect. I’m continually inspired by great design, the excitement of exploring and discovering new styles, amazing locations and...

The city bids farewell to Quasi the five-metre tall sculpture of artist Ronnie van Hout’s face and hand which took up residence on the roof of the Christchurch Art Gallery in 2016. Renowned for mixing surreal with the serious, van Hout’s work focuses on dramatic figures that initiate conversation and engagement – which is exactly what the giant installation has done since it graced the city and enlivened the skyline. Bringing a profound sense of humour, the thought-provoking piece has been the talk of the town drawing curious gazes and snaps of the obscure installation but it’s now heading north and setting up shop in the culture capital, Wellington. Lara Strongman, Head Curator of the Christchurch Art Gallery says that “like all his work, it’s essentially enigmatic – you make your own reading of the work, and have your own emotional response to its presence there on the skyline. We’ve loved...

You can’t help but smile when you hear that anthem of an earlier summer – Avalance City’s 'Love, Love, Love'. Few Kiwi musicians have managed to roar up the charts and our lives like Dave Baxter’s ear worm, so Cityscape was rapt to catch up with the hit maker ahead of his tour for his third album, My Babylon. It’s been a long time between albums… The first one I wrote over about four and a half years, and it’s been about three years between albums this time so they’re getting quicker! I sort of needed to take a break after the court case and my wife got pregnant so I thought I’d better get it together and write another album. I wrote for other people for about a year, and then we had a two month holiday and I didn’t think about music at all. So when I got back into the...