Wanaka: Getaway girls

By Zoe Walker
Viva
Fashion designers share their winter holiday plans. Photo / Thinkstock

ELISABETH FINDLAY

The Zambesi designer will be escaping to Wanaka this winter, a place she and her family have visited for years. Findlay and her team will show at Australian Fashion Week next Friday.

I love Wanaka because... it is a wonderful relaxing place to be with family and you can do as little as you want and explore as much as you like.

When I get there... I feel close to home. When my family arrived in New Zealand we spent a few years in Chatto Creek, Central Otago and then moved to Dunedin where I grew up. Great memories!

We always stay... in our timeshare apartment at The Pines, which has amazing views and a short walk to the lake.

I always eat well. There are many great places to eat in Wanaka. One of my favourites is The White House.

When I fly I always wear... whatever I like. I do not really change the way I dress for flying.

I always carry... my Zambesi leather Football bag. It is has a great capacity for many items but is soft enough to look discreet.

My latest suitcase is... a hard shell Samsonite in black (of course) that is very light before I start filling it with my winter woollies.

When I fly... I always make sure I have plenty of water to drink and if it is a long flight I wear flight socks.

When I arrive, my holiday essentials are... Zambesi sunglasses, my beanie, my scarf, my gloves and my swimsuit as there is an indoor pool and spa.

My beauty essentials... are M.A.C. cleansing wipes and lip balm, Le Mer moisturiser, Clarins body scrub and body cream.

My holiday beauty regime... is pretty much the same as my non-holiday regime. I am becoming more fastidious about taking care of my skin as I am getting older.

The getaway gadget I can't leave home without... I am not really a gadget person and on holiday I would have no need as I am in one of the most relaxing places in the world. Is a Blackberry a gadget? Of course, that goes with me everywhere!

My holiday read... I am reading I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen. I always take several books.

My ultimate travel mix... Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Nick Cave.

Top tip for holiday relaxation... Close your eyes and open them again. You are somewhere else!

ALICE MCCALL

This Australian designer is drawn to the ocean on her getaways, favouring Bali and her Avalon home as places to escape to. She shows at Australian Fashion Week next Wednesday.

My favourite holiday destination... is my home, on the beautiful coast in Avalon, NSW.

I love it there because... it is calm, we are by the beautiful ocean and people are always relaxed.

When I get there, I... spend time with my beautiful daughters, they love being seaside.

I always stay... in Bali, as we have a house there.

I always eat... coconuts and Mexican food!

When I fly, I always wear... an Ella Bache eye gel and Creme de La Mer to stop dehydration.

And I always carry... an iPod, a big bottle of water, flat sandals, M.A.C lip conditioner and a book in my giant Balenciaga tote.

My suitcase is... Samsonite.

I travel often and always at the last minute so I've just learnt to go with the flow.

When I arrive, my holiday essentials are... Celine sunglasses I bought on a recent Hong Kong trip, H&M bikinis which fit so well, Jac + Jack beach towels, and I always take multi vitamins with me to ward of any sickness I might catch on the plane. The rest, I buy on arrival!

My beauty essentials... Creme de La Mer, Ella Bache including their suncare range. I try to keep my skincare simple and uncomplicated.

My holiday beauty regime... I can't recall the last holiday or my regime, but I can get back to you on this one after Fashion Week! I do tend to exercise always on holiday, and try to eat healthily and look after my skin.

The getaway gadget I can't leave home without... obvious but true, my iPod for music and films.

My holiday read... I actually love downloading TED talks and watching these as they are so inspiring across so many topics. Always uplifting.

My ultimate travel mix... Solange and Blood Orange!

Top tip for holiday relaxation... One tip: massages!


• In Auckland, Alice McCall is stocked at Superette and The Refinery Clothing Company.

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