Shop Local, Watch A Film & More Fun Things For The Weekend

By Dan Ahwa
Viva
Checks Downtown's new store on Pitt Street is now open. Photo / Supplied.

Check out a new store opening

Continuing to foster a creative community, local unisex streetwear favourite Checks Downtown has re-located from its High Street boutique to a brand new space on the corner of Pitt Street and Karangahape Road, neighboured by other local boutiques including Flying Out music store and The Green Dolphin second-hand bookstore.

Founder Jordan Gibson says the move is a good opportunity to add to K-Road’s bustling area.  “After three great years of Checks running out of a large basement site on High Street, we were ready for the next move. The street presence and shop frontage gives us an opportunity to add something new to the changing landscape of Karangahape Road.”

The brand is also concentrating more on its in-house collections, its staples of hooded sweatshirts, crewnecks and utilitarian outerwear loved and worn by the likes of comedian Chris Parker, members of American alternative hip hop group, Brock Hampton and Benee. You won't miss the storefront, rendered in the brand's signature, vibrant orange hue.

Checks Downtown 84 Pitt Street. Opening hours: Monday: 12-4pm; Tuesday: 12-5pm; Wednesday: 11-5pm; Thursday & Friday: 11-6pm; Saturday: 12-6pm; Sunday: 12-5pm.

Shop the racks at the Dress For Success Designer Sale. Photo / Supplied.
Shop the racks at the Dress For Success Designer Sale. Photo / Supplied.

Shop for pre-loved designer clothing (and support a worthy cause at the same time)

Head along to the Dress For Success Designer Sale taking place this weekend at Studio 230 in Ponsonby, and show your support for a worthy cause.

Helping women find self-confidence and secure economic independence through corporate dressing and career development services, Dress For Success has 155 affiliates worldwide; and the Auckland branches’ highly-anticipated Designer Sale offers buyers a chance to purchase unique designer pieces while supporting local communities.

Expect special finds from international brands such as Prada, Gucci and Stuart Weitzman alongside New Zealand designer favourites, including Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Juliette Hogan, World, Zambesi, Adrienne Winkelmann and Kathryn Wilson.

Thanks to many closet clear-outs over lockdown, this is the biggest Designer Sale yet, and the Designer Sale is the charity’s largest source of income for the year, keeping the doors open at its two showrooms in Mangere and Central Auckland.

Dress for Success Designer Sale, Saturday 25 & Sunday 25 July, 10am-4pm. 230 Studio, Ponsonby. Cash and Eftpos available.

A design from Caitlin Crisp's latest collection. Photo / Supplied.
A design from Caitlin Crisp's latest collection. Photo / Supplied.

Support an up-and-coming designer

Local fashion label Caitlin Crisp has popped up in Ponsonby Central, where you can try on her winter collection. From snuggly Merino knitwear to dreamy frill-sleeved tops and dresses, these pieces are for everyday wear to love forever. Caitlin, the face behind the brand, is in store to help with styling queries. Open from today until Sunday 26. Shop 4D, Ponsonby Central.

Make do and mend

Sewing and clothing repair advocate Renee Williams @thatperfecthour is hosting three mending workshops over the next three months starting this Sunday at Time Out Bookshop in Mt. Eden Village.

Perfect for first-timers, Renee will be there to guide people through simple mending tips with supplied materials, and a little help from Wairua River wines. Supported by Fashion Revolution New Zealand, the event is a great way to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon with like-minded souls.

Classes are $35 including everything above; or get all three for only $90 and a portion of the payment goes to fund Fashion Revolution activities to support a more sustainable fashion future.

Visit That Perfect Hour to book your tickets.

Try a new hairdo

Catch up on all our fresh beauty coverage from this week's beauty issue, and be inspired by the myriad ways you can experiment, get creative and have fun with hair accessories.

Watch The Truth by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Photo / Supplied.
Watch The Truth by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Photo / Supplied.

Watch an NZIFF film

"Flipping through the hulking programme of this year's NZ International Film Festival can feel overwhelming" write Karl Puschmann. "While film fest veterans will feel right at home luxuriating in the endless possibilities, for others trying to narrow down a reasonable list from the over 80s films on offer is something of a daunting task. We've narrowed our own lengthy list down to these five films we consider must-sees."

Rainbow Gate in Parnell. Photo / Supplied.
Rainbow Gate in Parnell. Photo / Supplied.

Visit a light installation

This weekend is the last chance to view Rainbow Gate, a unique light installation specifically designed to celebrate Auckland’s diversity and unity at Herd Park. On display until Friday 31 July. 170 Parnell Road.

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