fashion fairground...

We may not have the fashion megastores some countries boast, but Kiwi girls can't complain, we do have our very own brand of fashion go-to - and the experience has become even better with the grand unveiling of Glassons' Fashion Fairground in Auckland's fashion-savvy Newmarket...

Girls of all ages were bursting at the seams to get through the doors of the brand spanking new Flagship Store when it opened with a stunner of a launch party on Friday, August 20. The opening celebration lasted all weekend, complete with live in-store entertainment - as if you would have needed any more to tickle you pink than is already on offer in the massive, 550sqm fashion playground.

From workplace chic and casual style to evening elegance, House of G has offered New Zealand women a one-stop shopping experience since it first cracked the fashion market in the early 1900s (seriously - it's been that long!). Now, Glassons has stepped it up a notch. Their new baby brings a bouquet of new and exciting treats, including ‘Buttons & Bows’, Glassons' first ever boutique collection, available only in the Newmarket store and offering hot, new and international runway looks, as well as ‘Foxtails & Fairytails’, a new giftwear range guaranteed to spruce up the Glassons Girl's sanctuary, plus a gorgeous swimwear range which offers a sneak preview into what's hot this coming summer - prepare your wardrobe accordingly!

But the buck does not stop there. To ice the cake of excitement, the store is also is home to New Zealands first ever blow-wave bar, Pony Xpress. The hair magicians behind Newmarket's Blaze salon (Redken Artist Mana Dave and his talented team) host the specialty salon, which offers a range of affordable, catwalk-inspired, blow-dry-based styles, of which there will be eight in total - four permanent looks and four which change seasonally. With prices starting from $35 for a 30-minute dry-style service, you can stop off for a professional hair make-over before a hot date, after-work function or just as a treat when you're feeling a little flat. And sweep up an affordable in-vogue outfit without so much as batting an eyelid.

So if you're in the locality - it's worth it to trek down to the bigger-is-better Glassons store, even if it means being late back from your lunch break. Heck, if you're not in the area - grab whatever means of transport you can muster and go have a gander. It is truly impressive - but you will need to book your blow-wave in advance.

www.glassons.co.nz
www.ponyxpress.co.nz

By Jeni Cartwright