Wondering what to wear to that ball or special occasion this winter? It can be difficult to know what is in style when an occasion calls for formal dress; or even more important - what will suit your body type. With the FashioNZ Balls and Special Occasions guide you can find out what makes the cut this season and how to look gorgeous for any event…

Robyn Brooks is a photographer with a passion for design, creating strong illustrative pieces that are often combined with sumptuous fabric. With a Bachelor of Media Arts from the Waikato Institute of Technology, Robyn started her own label, Ooby Ryn. We speak to her about butterflies, chaos and that name.

“Hunter Gatherer” by Dunedin designer Charmaine Reveley reflects on an old world beauty and charm. Designs have an artistic quality, with prints and embroidery a strong element of the collection.

Takaaki Sakaguchi continues his concept of Western clothing with a Japanese twist – this time with jeans. Detachable pockets, high quality denim and a colour palette of stone wash, dirty beige and bold navy are featured.

True to Cybčle’s signature style of distilling many ideas into each collection, this season she cites artists as diverse as MC Escher, Frank Frazetta and Banks Violette as visual inspiration for the collection, along with mediaeval castle architecture. The feeling is graphic, gritty and dark. “Blue Blood” features highly structured details in garment construction which are seen best on panelled armour and biker jackets. Read our interview with Cybčle here, or check out the slideshow of her summer collection here.

The hunt for New Zealand's next top model is well underway, with the 12 finalists in this year's Cadbury Dream Model Search announced on the Edge's Night Show on the 29 May. Click here for information on the finalists, selected from 800-odd girls who took part in 10 regional auditions held throughout the country in May. The winner of this year's search will be chosen at the final in Auckland on Thursday 5 July. Coverage of the Cadbury Dream Model Search will be televised on C4 in an hour-long show airing the week after the final. Read our interview with last years winner, Katie Tomlinson, here.

There's still time to win a Suzuki Scooter valued at $2,495 on our sister site www.gdo365.co.nz - just refer a couple of friends here. With Fashion and Beauty courtesy of your FashioNZ team as well as advice on health and fitness, parenting, finance and loads of entertainment, they’ll thank you for it - and beg you for a ride!





You’ve seen him on Project Runway – but before then Michael Kors was an American designer we didn’t know much about. We delve into his history to find out more about Michael, and where we can buy some of his lines here in New Zealand…









Located in Thames, the team at Sandra's understands that style and simplicity are key to dressing. They offer sophisticated yet functional garments to create a look that is individual and unique. Labels stocked include VSSP, Vamp, Resort, Newport, Cachet and Cashews.









If you have live in the Waikato and have a hankering to get your hands on the latest from Ashley Fogel, Carolyn Taylor, Deborah Sweeney, George, Polish, Sylvester and of course Ooby Ryn, check out the new Ooby Ryn store that has just opened on Victoria Street in Cambridge.








Do you want to shop from the comfort of your own home? Online store Ruby Doo provides affordable, fashionable plus size clothing at your fingertips. View the full range at www.ruby-doo.co.nz





The opening of “A Good Bunch of Fruit” exhibition was held earlier this month at UCOL –Wanganui Polytecnic, New Zealand Fashion School. Over 150 people attended to view the three piece mini collections designed by Year 3 students.








If you're after a perfect finish to your foundation, Elizabeth Arden has just released the newest innovation in overall skin cover - Flawless Finish Mousse Make Up. This foundation is light and airy and comes in 10 different shades to suit all skin tones. It has a natural translucent finish that gives skin a 'no make up' feel. Great for those who need to cover up but don't want to look overly done up. It is fragrance free and dermatologist, clinically and allergy test. Absolutely flawless! RRP $52

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