This time next week it’s show time!! So the shoot is done, the clothes are made and the models are picked. This week has been spent doing ahem ‘fun’ things like Seating Plans. JOY! Getting there though!

We have fittings this Friday with all of the models, so will be great to find two looks for each of the models to wear, as well as style each outfit and get ready to make ‘Model Sheets’ with the exact outfits each model will be wearing, so that the dressers know exactly what to do. To get a sneak peek into what the show will be like make sure you check out Page 7 of the NZ Herald’s Viva today.

Keeping it very short and sweet today. I wish I could show you a pic from the photoshoot (of the model!) but lucky for you, you get this cool as pic of the Photoshoot Team instead! Please note several packets of lollies had been eaten by this point..

CR x

PS. Keep a look out we will be doing a competition to win 2x tickets to our show!

So our photoshoot of the Winter 2012 lookbook is today. BIG day ahead, sewing up all of those last minute pieces I decide to add in last night, even though I swore I wouldn’t do it again this season! Would love to say it’s all there hanging and pressed on the rack at the moment, but sadly it’s not! Check out my Lookbook model Laurien from Clyne, total babe!

Had what I like to call my two ‘Fairygodmothers’, over last night to go over the range with a glass of wine (Not before watching Top Mod, Laters AJ!). The lookbook styling won’t be the same as the show, and we will shoot a few different outfits in different looks so we can get the best ones for the runway.

So aside from the actual range, we have this coming week to sort out Wholesaling Packs, with the big jobs of costings and line sheets. Right about now I wish I knew how to clone myself!

The shop is also open today, we still have discounts on all our Winter 2011 range- everything under $150. So pop in, have some lollies and see me frantically on the machine, you may even get a sneak peak on what’s going to be on show in just over a week!

Happy Weekend!

CR x

This week we had SNOW in Auckland. Unreal. I personally have never been to the snow, so I was bouncing off the walls with excitement when it started ‘snowing’.

I loved that when I ran outside I could hear people cheering and getting excited in the distance! The cold spell up here has helped make Winter designing a lot easier, because all I want to do is snuggle into some warm woolies!

Hope you enjoy my snow pics, and yes I have been told already it just looks like hail but it was definitely snowing in St Benedicts Street in my eyes!

We have the lookbook shoot this weekend, so the majority of my samples are done and back with me, although please note I often like to add in about 10 extra things the night before shoots!

So I had a bit of a try on session yesterday, mixing this jacket with these pants, or over that dress etc etc! SO MUCH FUN!

Even if the only person giving me feedback was my boyfriend telling me “Eww I don’t like that, it’s ugly, it looks really um Old Fashioned?!”. Not really the response I was going for but top sellers in the past have had the same response from him, so I’m not too worried.

Last night we also headed down to The Red Hummingbird for a drink of Kim Crawford Wine with other NZFW Pre Launch Party. Such a cool wee bar, with a secret little outdoor area out the back which literally has a massive Birdcage you can sit in with a group of mates.

Definitely advise you to go check it out! Another thing to check out is Kim Crawford Wine’s competition where you could win a NZFW VIP experience!

They are looking for NZ’s most stylish person … upload pics of yourself or a friend, or just vote on who you think should win here.

That’s all in the land of Celine Rita today.

CR x

I am trying to decide which garments from our Summer 11/12 Range- Boulevard Baby, to put into the Designer Selection Show! I need 2-4 outfits, and also one from the Winter 2012 range that will be shown at my NZFW Show.

It’s just too hard to choose my favourite ‘capsule collection’ inside the range. I am thinking I will either go with the White Lace/Turquoise Linen Combo’s or the Peach Chiffon, and Peach Print Combos. Please feel free to let me know which you prefer!?

If you are keen to go along and see, you can get a ticket here.  And these tickets also entitle you a free ticket into the Fashion Weekend AND you get a sweet Goodie Bag!

Now back to the workroom, samples are starting to look good!! There have been no tears yet, so let’s hope it stays that way!

CR x

Exactly three weeks to go until Celine Rita’s NZFW Show! We had our second production meeting yesterday and things are well on track. Still lots to do and the ‘Late Night Shifts’ are well underway at CR HQ. I got a special delivery of Choccie Cake (and cream) which was just what I needed on a Friday night……when everyone else is out having a drink!

Sometimes I get a bit over listening to music 24hours a day, so by the time my night shifts come around I sometimes like to ‘watch’(more listen) to TV programmes while I pattern, cut, toile and sew. Season 1 of Friends has been my pick lately. They seriously never get old and somehow are funnier everytime I watch an episode again!

A little off topic, but how amazing is this apartment. DREAM! They even have a cute little puppy trying to escape!!

CR x

Yesterday I made a complete mess of the workroom. Making patterns, toiling and cutting samples out were the main culprits to the mess. For once it is a positive thing though, the mess means it was a productive day’s work!

With each day going by faster than the next, productive days are imperative if my models are going to have any clothes to wear down the runway!

Helping keep me productive has been the playing of the possible Fashion Week music I have saved in a playlist on You Tube. Slowly the 40 odd songs in my ‘NZFW Playlist’ have been culled down to 13. So it still pretty much needs to be cut in half, but I am getting there!

The music plays a key role in creating the atmosphere and adding to the mood I want to set for my range.

I have my first and last songs sorted, it’s just those ones in between I need to finalise, and get all of the timing right for the ending of the last song.

I will be getting the chosen songs to my DJ extraordinaire Brad Wayne by the end of the week. He usually helps make my ‘culling’ of songs easier, as he works out which songs work in together best.

CR x

PS. Doesn’t the fact Alexa Chung DJ’s make her even cooler again!