Bag this! Barkers colab with Parisian.

As Barkers continue to refine their artisanal vision, their long running partnership with Auckland manufacturer Parisian forged new ground for both of the iconic NZ companies recently with the creation of their first leather satchel. Here, in this well-made short film by Reel Good, Parisian's product developer Vern Hown talks candidly about the leap of faith the company made in creating the snazzy satchel, a colab mooted to them by Barker's Matt Oliver which which will soon realise a wallet and other tasty leather treats. A nice synergy indeed...

Black Magazine for iPhone and iPad now available!

We are pleased to announce that as of today you can buy digital copies of Black Magazine for iPhone or iPad from both the Apple Newsstand (if you have an iPhone) or from the Apple iTunes Store. The latest three issues are up there so you can buy individual issues or buy a one year subscription - US $12.99 for 3 issues.

Simply go to either destination and search: "Black Magazine" download the free app and away you go.

Excited!

I've Lost My Funny

I don't know what's happened to me, but I've lost my funny. I've tried getting it back, but this week - it's MIA.

I've lost the wind in my sails, there's nothing floating my boat, no one's blowing my skirt up, I have officially lost my funny.

What's a clown without the funny? A weird person with odd make-up issues.

I'm usually a very happy person. But this week, I'm so low I could do the limbo.

Why have my wheels fallen off my apple cart? 

Tell me a joke. And tell me where my funny has gone. Please?

Image via Pinterest

Stella McCartney Lingerie Spring Summer 2012/13

Last week we were kindly invited into Lily and Louis to see the new range of intimates from Stella McCartney Lingerie Spring Summer 2012/13 collection. This season, rightfully entitled 'Stella', has moved towards a more 'everyday' and wearable feel, incorporating innovative and cutting edge technology to create the thinnest, lightest and one of the most invisible collections in the market.

Well, we were impressed!


'Stella' offers a range of styles and silhouettes from body suits, slips, camisoles, racer-back bras, bras fitted with underwire or the 'Supernatural'; a completely wireless bra. All the styles are made from a luxurious range of fabrics including French Calais Lace, silks, mesh and tulle! To keep true to her "eco-friendly"philosophy of the brand, Stella also uses recycled metal hardware and organic cotton.

A well as being a mum and wanting the more practical and comfortable options, Stella the designer further opens her personal world to her 'Stella' collection designs and has named some of her staple pieces after her girl friends, for example, "Sam Partying" and "Julia Tumbling"..... how cute!

We think these feminine, delicate pieces are made to be worn underneath all of your tough, rock 'n roll attire. Being the daughter of one of the biggest rock stars in history, you know that she has thought about this.

Stella McCartney Lingerie Spring Summer 2012/13 is available in stores now!
See our favorite pieces below! Photos: Yasmine Ganley

ETSY Success: DIY PR

Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com

It feels like long ago, but remember when I spoke at ETSY Success as part of the Vivid Festival?  I promised I would post when my video had gone live on the ETSY site. And well.. I've arrived.

Now you can relish in how truly dorky I am. Truly. Dorky.

I can't watch myself because it is excruciatingly cringe-worthy. But I'll post it so you might be able to glean some PR tips if you need them...

Ok so this is me, with Jo Walker, the Editor of Frankie Magazine. Please keep in mind that just moments before going on stage, I was tempted to get in the lift and disappear for the afternoon.

You can thank ETSY for this video.

Where Am I?

Where oh where has PottyMouth gone?

I've been busy. Reading an incredible and life changing book that was recommended to me by Onya Magazine's Editor-in-chief, Sandi.

I must admit, it's been a very long time between books for me. I don't even remember the last book I read because I start them, and then leave them. If I'm not in, I'm not in.

But this book. I am in. Wholeheartedly. And it's life-changing. But I'll write more about it later because it deserves a post of its own.

What's keeping you busy of late? What are you reading? Spill.

Flirty in 'Fiona': Parfait by Affinitas 'Fiona' camisole review

   If you have read my blog about the Affinitas Intimates A/W12 press event a little while ago, you may have noticed that I took quite a shine to the Affinitas fuller bust range, 'Parfait', which encompasses sizes 30D-40G.

   Although I feel lucky that the larger bust lingerie market is expanding and I can now get a range of beautiful and supportive bras for all occasions in my size, it is not always quite as easy to find a bustier, camisole or babydoll for larger cup sizes. Highstreet stores often sell them in standardised clothing sizes with no cup sizes, so finding a boudoir beauty to fit a 28FF is about as unsuccessful as trying to squeeze my bust into those very same standardised undergarments! 

   As you can imagine, I was thrilled to come across 'Parfait' as the current collection offers some really glamorous and sexy boudoir pieces in addition to flirty everyday bras and comfy basics. One of the designs that particularly caught my eye was Parfait's padded wired 'Fiona' camisole in peacock blue, which Affinitas Intimates kindly sent me to try out...

      As 'Parfait' starts at a 30 back (and I'd heard reports that the 30 backs come up tighter than other brands), I decided to go for a 30F (sister size to my usual 28FF) and a size M (10/12) in the matching boyshorts.

   The Parfait 'Fiona' is a beautiful camisole made from silky stretch satin in a jewel tone blue (also comes in wine purple, black or white), complete with black lace trim along the underwired cups. The peacock blue tone was even more glamorous in the flesh and the satin has a slight shimmer to it when it catches the light. I really love the attention to detail on the 'Fiona' too - it features subtle pleats on the straps, embroidered panelling down the torso of the chemise and stylish contrasting black lace on the cups and a little bow and sequin motif at the centre of the cups.

    Additionally, the 'Fiona' boasts an absolutely knock-out detail at the back - a decorative lace-up corset design with ribbon ties and double layered mesh back panels, giving this camisole added sex appeal.  

   Aside from this camisole's obvious aesthetic appeal, it is also very easy to take on and off. There is no fiddly lacing up to do as the 'Fiona' has a half zipper and clasp closure at the side.

   I was pleased that the 'Fiona' in a 30 back was a good fit - not too snug or too loose. The stretch satin and mesh fabric makes the 'Fiona' very comfortable to wear and the material follows the natural contours of the body without feeling restrictive like some shapewear can. The only downside to the fabric is that it rucks up a little bit when worn, but it does not distract from this garment's beauty. 

  I felt very glamorous in this striking camisole and the peacock blue colour really pops against your skin tone whatever complexion you have. The black contrast lace also gives a hint of old Hollywood elegance to the 'Fiona', which I absolutely loved.

   I also really like that this camisole has moulded underwired cups - it is nice to have a little bit of lift and the 'Fiona' gives a great rounded shape to your cleavage. It is worth mentioning that the straps are only part adjustable and I had to tighten them as much as they would go. Luckily, as the 'Fiona' is not an 'everyday' item, I should still get plenty of wear out of this camisole without the straps becoming too loose too quickly. My only real regret with the 'Fiona' is that I ordered a 30F not 30FF and I feel that the cups ran a bit small (although not very obvious from the above pictures). 


   I am glad that I went for the Medium boyshort knickers (roughly a UK 10-12) as they fit me beautifully. They remind me a little bit in style of the Curvy Kate 'Thrill Me' shorts, but refined with less ruffles. Again, made from stretch satin, the 'Fiona' boyshorts are really comfortable to wear and look great on. The black lace, grosgrain sequin bow at the centre and ruffle trim make these boyshorts exude seductive sophistication and are sure to make you feel a million dollars.


   It's worth adding that these boyshorts give quite full coverage to your derrière but are still very flirty thanks to the mesh panel at the back - a great example of how less (fabric) is not always more (sexy)! Additionally, I love that they come with detachable suspenders - they look fabulous with black stockings to mirror the black lace contrast on the 'Fiona' camisole and knickers!

   I am really excited to have found 'Parfait' by Affinitas and the 'Fiona' is a truly glamorous 'boudoir' set. I also have my eye on some of the babydolls from the upcoming A/W collection which are absolutely gorgeous!

'Parfait' is certainly 'one to watch' and I will definitely be exploring more of this exciting brand in future... 

Find out more about stockists of 'Parfait' by Affinitas here.

Love,

Kitty xo