About WLUML

WHAT IS WOMEN LIVING UNDER MUSLIM LAWS?
Women Living Under Muslim Laws is an international solidarity network that provides information, support and a collective space for women whose lives are shaped, conditioned or governed by laws and customs said to derive from Islam.

For more than two decades WLUML has linked individual women and organisations. It now extends to more than 70 countries ranging from South Africa to Uzbekistan, Senegal to Indonesia and Brazil to France. It links:

• women living in countries or states where Islam is the state religion, secular states with Muslim majorities as well as those from Muslim communities governed by minority religious laws;
• women in secular states where political groups are demanding religious laws;
• women in migrant Muslim communities in Europe, the Americas, and around the world;
• non-Muslim women who may have Muslim laws applied to them directly or through their children;
• women born into Muslim communities/families who are automatically categorized as Muslim but may not define themselves as such, either because they are not believers or because they choose not to identify themselves in religious terms, preferring to prioritise other aspects of their identity such as political ideology, profession, sexual orientation or others.

Our name challenges the myth of one, homogenous ‘Muslim world’. This deliberately created myth fails to reflect that: a) laws said to be Muslim vary from one context to another and, b) the laws that determine our lives are from diverse sources: religious, customary, colonial and secular. We are governed simultaneously by many different laws: laws recognised by the state (codified and uncodified) and informal laws such as customary practices which vary according to the cultural, social and political context.
For an in-depth piece on the origins of WLUML, please read 'Heart and Soul' by founder, Marieme Helie-Lucas:  http://www.wluml.org/sites/wluml.org/files/Heart and Soul_Marieme Helie-Lucas.pdf
HOW DID WLUML START?

WLUML was formed in 1984 in response to three cases in Muslim countries and communities in which women were being denied rights by reference to laws said to be ‘Muslim’ requiring urgent action. Nine women from Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Iran, Mauritius, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Pakistan came together and formed the Action Committee of Women Living Under Muslim Laws in support of local women’s struggles. This evolved into the present network in 1986. The network is guided by Plans of Action which are reviewed periodically.
WHAT ARE WLUML’S AIMS AND FOCUS?

The network aims to strengthen women’s individual and collective struggles for equality and their rights, especially in Muslim contexts. It achieves this by:

• Breaking the isolation in which women wage their struggles by creating and reinforcing linkages between women within Muslim countries and communities, and with global feminist and progressive groups;
•  Sharing information and analysis that helps demystify the diverse sources of control over women’s lives, and the strategies and experiences of challenging all means of control.

WLUML’s current focus is on the critical issues identified as our priorities for collective analysis and action:

• Peace-Building and Resisting the Impact of Militarization
• Preserving Multiple Identities and Exposing Fundamentalisms
• Widening Debate about Women’s Bodily Autonomy
• Promoting and Protecting Women’s Equality Under Laws

As a theme, violence against women cuts across all of WLUML’s projects and activities.
HOW IS WLUML ORGANISED?
WLUML’s open structure has been designed to maximize participation of diverse and autonomous groups and individuals as well as collective decision-making. WLUML does not have formal membership and networkers are a fluid group of individuals and organisations who maintain regular two-way contact with the network.
WLUML distinguishes between networkers and active networkers. A networker can be either an organization or individual that/who:
• Subscribes to WLUML’s principles and values and puts these into practice in their own context;
• Receives and engages with WLUML information; and
• Engages in two-way communication with WLUML Council members, Coordination Offices or sub-committees
An active networker/networking group, in addition furthers the work and vision of the network under the umbrella of WLUML by:
• Contributing/participating in WLUML initiatives - e.g. collective projects, solidarity work;
• Engaging in a consistent two-way interaction over a period of time with WLUML Council members, Coordination Offices or sub-committees that are undertaking on-going WLUML collective projects/activities;
• Taking responsibility for some aspect of WLUML’s work; and
• Being involved at the decision-making level, for example in the identification of critical issues.
The WLUML Council comprises 20-30 people involved in aspects of cross-regional networking within WLUML for a significant period of time. They take primary responsibility for developing and implementing the Plans of Action.
The International Coordination Office (ICO) has primary responsibility for facilitating coordination between networkers. Regional Coordination Offices are currently based in Pakistan (Asia) and Senegal (Africa and Middle East) and are responsible for coordinating network activities in their respective regions. Although legally and financially autonomous, they are key components of WLUML. Based on their connections with networkers, and their knowledge and understanding of networkers’ activities and contexts, the ICO and Regional Offices ensure that the relevant people in the network are meeting, strategizing, planning and acting so as to support each other and thereby strengthen local, regional and global effectiveness.
WHAT ARE WLUML’S PRINCIPLES?
WLUML focuses on laws and customs and the concrete realities of women’s lives. This includes the often diverse practices and laws classified as ‘Muslim’ (resulting from different interpretations of religious texts and/or the political use of religion) and the effects these have on women, rather than on the religion of Islam itself.
The network consciously builds bridges across identities - within our contexts and internationally. We are especially concerned about marginalized women. This includes non-Muslims in Muslim majority states, especially where spaces for religious minorities is rapidly dwindling; Muslim minorities facing discrimination, oppression, or racism; women whose assertions of sexuality – including but not limited to sexual orientation - are either criminalized or are socially unacceptable.
WLUML recognises that women’s struggles are interconnected and complementary, and therefore has a commitment to international solidarity.
WLUML actively endorses plurality and autonomy, and consciously reflects, recognises and values a diversity of opinions. Individuals and groups linked through the network define their own particular priorities and strategies according to their context.
The personal has always played an important part in the work of WLUML, which values the solidarity and active support that the networkers extend to each other by way of personal links.
WHAT DOES WLUML DO?

Solidarity & Alerts
WLUML responds to, circulates and initiates international alerts for action and campaigns as requested by networking groups and allies. WLUML also provides concrete support for individual women in the form of information on their legal rights, assistance with asylum applications, and links with relevant support institutions, psychological support, etc.
Networking & Information Services
WLUML puts women in direct contact with each other to facilitate a non-hierarchical exchange of information, expertise, strategies and experience. Networking also involves documenting trends, proactively circulating information among networkers and allies, generating new analysis, and supporting networkers’ participation in exchanges and international events. While WLUML prioritises the needs of networkers, it also selectively responds to requests for information from, for example, academics, activists, the media, international agencies and government institutions.
Capacity Building
WLUML consciously builds the capacity of networking groups through internships at the coordination offices, and exchanges, trainings and workshops.
Publications and Media
WLUML collects, analyses and circulates information regarding women’s diverse experiences and strategies in Muslim contexts using a variety of media. It translates information into and from French, Arabic and English wherever possible. Networking groups also translate information into numerous other languages.
An active publications programme produces:

• A theme based Dossier, an occasional journal which provides information about the lives, struggles and strategies of women in various Muslim communities and countries;
• A quarterly Newsheet on women, laws and society by Shirkat Gah, WLUML Asia Regional Coordination Office;
• A bi-annual Newsletter on women, laws and society by WLUML International Coordination Office (ICO);
• Occasional Papers - specific studies and materials which, for reasons of length or style, cannot be included in the Dossier series and;
• Other publications on specific issues of concern such as family laws, women's movements, initiatives and strategies, etc.

For more information and to download WLUML publications, please visit our Resources section.
Collective Projects
Collective projects have included topic-specific initiatives that arise out of the shared needs, interests and analysis of networkers. Networking groups and individuals are free to participate, or not, according to their needs and capacity, and collective projects have involved from three to over twenty networking groups and lasted from a few months to ten years. Projects are principally coordinated and implemented by networking groups or individual networkers in their respective countries or communities; the coordination offices provide facilitation when necessary. Some collective projects are in collaboration with sister organizations and allies.
Collective projects have included training sessions, workshops, research for advocacy, meetings and exchanges around specialised topics.
Previous projects include:

• Exchange programme (1988)
• Qur’anic interpretations meetings (1990-2004)
• Women and Law in the Muslim world programme (1991-2001)
• Feminism in the Muslim World Leadership Institutes (1998, 1999, 2007, 2009)
• Gender and displacement in Muslim contexts (1999-2002)
• Initiative for Strengthening Afghan Family Laws – INSAF (2002 - present)
• The Feminist Dialogue (2006 - present)
• The Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women! (2007 - present)
• The International Coalition on Women Human Rights Defenders (2005 – present)

Woman arrested for making meth in Walmart

By Leigh Goessl

Tulsa - A 45-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly mixing meth inside a Tulsa, Oklahoma store. Purportedly the woman spent an inordinate time in Walmart engaging in activity that could have been dangerous to other people in the store.

According to Fox 23, police arrested the woman for endeavoring to manufacture meth at the Tulsa Walmart.

Reportedly the woman was caught on surveillance video as having been in the store for several hours; security staff noted the woman exhibiting suspicious behavior and called Tulsa police.

CNN reported the woman was grabbing bottles off the shelves and mixing them with lithium and drain cleaner.

Police arrived at approximately 6 p.m. as the woman was mixing the unpredictable potion in the back of the store.

"When I saw her she had just finished mixing sulfuric acid with starter fluid in a bottle,” says Officer David Shelby.

According to KSDK, when questioned, Halfmoon denied attempting to make meth in the store, but firefighters at the scene say otherwise

“When firefighters were on the scene she made statements to them that is what she was doing, she was attempting to obtain these chemicals and was in the process of trying to manufacture meth. However, she said she was not very good at it,” said Shelby.

Reportedly she told respondents to the scene she was "too broke" to buy the chemicals.

An officer on the scene, who did not realize the bottle was active, picked up the bottle to discard it and was injured as the mix burned through the bottle and his gloves. He was medically treated at a local hospital for chemical burns and is reportedly okay.

No one else in the store was hurt and customers did not need to be evacuated.

However, some of the toxic potion had also spilled on one of Walmart's shelves, and ate through some of the metal.

Elizabeth Alisha Greta Halfmoon, 45, also known to go by the name of Alisha Halfmoon, had recently been arrested for a related crime, and was just released from jail on Dec. 6, having received a deferred sentence and bonded out on $7,500.

Halfmoon is now being held on $100,000 bond for the current charges, and her arraignment is set for Dec. 16.

In other crime-related news recently occurring at Walmart, last week Digital Journal reported syringes were found in various items of clothing in a Georgia Walmart with four separate incidents of customers getting pricked by the hypodermic needles.

Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/315879#ixzz1hu5sY8wd

WHY WOMEN PLAY GOLF

About Venus Golf

"If it's not fun, we aren't doing it!"

What:
Venus Golf is dedicated to women's golf. From instruction to motivational speaking... from health and fitness to wedge selection, Venus Golf turns information into recreation and makes golf fun for women.
Who:
Venus Golf was founded by CEO Debbie Steinbach Keller (aka Venus), former LPGA touring pro and a Golf for Women Magazine "Top 50" instructor. Keller competed for 12 years on the Tour and now devotes her time to instruction and motivational speaking plus other activities associated with her company.Instruction:
Venus Golf promotes teaching golf from a woman's viewpoint. Venus-styled seminars, instruction and clinics are offered in a fun, educational format, based on Keller's popular books, Venus on the Fairway and Venus on the Fringe and NEW Venus on the FUNdamentals DVD series.Speaking Engagements:
Debbie is available as an entertainment-styled, motivational speaker. She has appeared before a wide variety of corporate groups and organizations including Kraft, Bristol Meyers, Sony, Nabisco, the Executive Women's Golf Association, Colgate, the Women's Southern California Golf Association, the LPGA, Meeting Industry Ladies' Organization, Ralph's and Von's.Other Experience:
Venus has been highly visible, appearing as an announcer on NBC during its coverage of the Nabisco Dinah Shore Tournament, the National Pro-Am of Women's Golf, the San Diego Honda Classic, the World Championship of Women's Golf and ESPN's Golf America.

you can contact for more information & question: http://www.venusgolf.com

Look Slimmer Instantly

Look Slimmer Instantly

How To Look Slimmer Instantly
by: Susan Lockhart

Did you know that the clothing styles you choose can have a major impact on your apparent weight? Choosing the right clothes for your body shape and makes all the difference. Here are 10 simple tricks you can use to look slimmer almost instantly!

You can lose approximately 3-5 lbs (1-2kgs) with each point listed below. Choose a maximum of 5 points per outfit:

1. Vertical Lines 
A vertical design line that causes the eye to run uninterrupted up and down the body has an incredible power to make you appear slimmer and taller. Vertical stripes in particular are great at making you appear slimmer, but be careful with the stripes you choose. The wider the stripe and the further apart they are spaced, the less impact they have. Thin to medium stripes placed close together have the most impact.

2. Stand Up Straight 
Simple good posture will always make you appear slimmer. Standing correctly makes your clothes hang properly and elongates the body. This can take practice but it is a great habit to get into, both for your appearance and your health.

3. Underwear 
Wearing great foundation garments will help to keep everything firm and in place. Just wearing the correct size and style of bra for your body can do wonders, so get professionally fitted at least once a year or more often if you are losing or gaining weight, pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, wearing a light, loose camisole under your clothes can help to hide stomach rolls.

4. Colour 
Wearing dark colours over a figure challenge can help to visually reduce your size. It doesn't have to be black; charcoal, navy and chocolate all work well too. Just make sure the colour that is framing your face comes from your best colour palette. There is no point looking slimmer if you also look washed out and tired.

If you are short, wearing dark colours on the lower half of your body can give the appearance of extra height. Keeping colour contrast to a minimum also helps, so if you wear skirts, choose hosiery that gently blends in colour with your shoes and hemline.

5. Fabric 
As a general rule you want to avoid wearing bulky, textured fabrics over your largest area. Instead, choose fine to medium textured fabrics that drape and skim over your body, rather than cling. Also remember to choose matte (non-shiny) fabrics. Shiny fabrics like satin catch the light and will show up every lump and bump.

6. Shape 
Lots of women go for very loose clothing with the hope of hiding extra weight. This can have the opposite affect and make you appear larger than you actually are. Instead choose clothes with some shape and make the most of your figure.

7. Accessories 
Wearing an accessory high on your body can be a great way to attract attention away from a figure challenge. A scarf, brooch or great earrings can act as a focal point, drawing the eye up to your face. Always choose medium sized accessories - anything chunky can add weight and anything too fine will disappear.

8. Prints & Patterns 
If you are overweight chances are you avoid prints and patterns, however you can wear them successfully. Always choose prints with a dark rather than light background. You should also choose prints where the repeat is not obvious and there is very little or no background colour showing. This will confuse the eye and visually reduce weight.

9. Shoes 
The chunkier the shoe and more rounded the toe, the heavier you will appear. The best shoes for reducing apparent weight have a thin sole, medium to high heel and reasonably pointed toe. Stay away from mules and ankle straps, instead go for shoes that show more of your foot, creating a long line and visually elongating your legs.

10. Simplicity 
Above all, keep your total appearance simple and elegant.

A personal image consultation will show you exactly which colours and styles of clothes are right for you, but these simple tricks will help to you look slimmer, instantly!


About The Author
Susan Lockhart is a leading Image Consultant in Brisbane, Australia and owner of Synergy Image Consulting. Learn how to make the most of your appearance and dress for success, no matter what size, age or shape you are. Get professional advice on colour, dressing for your body shape, bridal wear, grooming and more. Consultations for men and women. Visit http://www.synergyimage.com.au for more information

Your Thai Girl

Menopause and Osteoporosis

Correlating Menopause and Osteoporosis 
by: Nathalie Fiset 

Menopause occurs when there is not enough supply of estrogen in the body. With the absence of this important hormone in a woman’s body, there are lot of adjustments to be done and changes to prepare for. 

Studies show that the loss of estrogens accelerates bone loss in the span of five to eight years. One of the most common areas affected by the loss of estrogen in the body is the skeletal system—specifically the bones that lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, as defined, pertains to the thinning of the bones. As the bones become thinner and thinner, it becomes weaker and breaks more easily. The bones that are often affected include those of the spine, wrists, and hips. 

COMBATING OSTEOPOROSIS CAUSED BY MENOPAUSE 

As women grow older and older, risks of having osteoporosis becomes greater. Studies show that aside from aging, more and more women and men suffer become prone to osteoporosis especially if he/she has a family history of osteoporosis, fair skinned like blonds and red heads, engage in low calcium diet, lives a sedentary or physically inactive, underweight, obese, smokers and those with serious illness and disease. 

In order to avoid, or at least, lessen the burden of having osteoporosis, here are some recommended lifestyle changes that you can do by yourself. 

1. Have enough calcium in your body. In order to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, men women alike should start taking about 1,000 mg of calcium every day that is equals to about three serves of dairy food. Calcium is naturally found in various foods and can also be added in powder form. Having enough calcium supply in your diet will ensure strengthened bones. Aside from eating foods rich in calcium, taking in calcium tablets can also support your calcium supply. For those who are drinking calcium to avoid further osteoporic problem, bear in mind that you should reach a total daily intake of 1,000 milligrams daily before menopause and 1,500 milligrams daily after menopause. 

2. Physical activity is quite crucial to avoid further complications of osteoporosis. Recent studies show that people with or without osteoporosis can also benefit from spontaneous physical activity. Doing regular exercises like walking throughout your life can help in the reduction of osteoporosis risks because it reduces the rate of bone loss while protecting the remaining bone tissues. Experts say that the required minimum exercise for people who are suffering with osteoporosis is still unknown, but physical activity of 15 to 60 minutes at least thrice a week in highly recommended. Here are some of the general recommendations for exercise approved by most experts. 

- Make sure that you have visited your doctor or health care provider before you start any exercise program. 

- If you are already suffering from osteoporosis, avoid high impact activities or those exercise requiring sudden and forceful movements. 

- Light weight-bearing exercises such as walking, dancing, and weight training are generally recommended. 

- Make sure that you can sustain the frequency of your physical activity. 

- Take strength training at least once or twice a week to prepare your body to more strenuous physical activities. 

- Choose exercises that flexibility exercises or stretching. 

- No matter how you love the water, avoid swimming because it’s not a weight bearing exercise. The buoyancy of the water will only counteract the effects of gravity and will be more difficult for you to maintain your balance. 

- Choose exercises that will help you reduce bone loss, improve your muscle strength, balance, and fitness so the incidence of falls and fractures will be lessened. 

Indeed, there is no easy way to address osteoporosis. Being a complex condition involving hormonal, lifestyle, nutritional, and environmental factors, osteoporosis can only be cured through proper exercise, diet, and supplements. Aside from these, medical preventions and treatments such as hormone therapy (HT), Bisphosphonates, selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), potential therapies like Tibolone (Livial) and parathyroid hormone are available today. 


About The Author 

Dr Nathalie Fiset is a family doctor and a certified hypnotherapist. For more information go to: http://www.bestmenopause.com/osteoporosis.html http://www.aperfectharmony.com or http://www.a-1hypnosis.com.

Natural Menopause Relief Secrets

How To Conquer Menopause

Colour is So Important in Fashion

Why Colour is So Important in Fashion
by: Susan Lockhart 

Colour is the first thing other people notice about us, and its impact is immediate and long-lasting. Our fashion colour choices say a lot about the image we are trying to portray and how we feel about ourselves. So what does colour tell people? 

Within seconds of meeting you, others will respond to the 'colour messages' flashed by your clothes. Different colours can make people feel a certain way. In fact, it has been determined by medical science that colour can influence the viewer's hormones, blood pressure and body temperature. Colour also has an impact on: 

* Your apparent shape; 
* Your apparent weight; 
* Your apparent personality; 
* Your emotions 
* Others emotions 

Other important considerations are how appropriate the colour is for the location, occasion, time of year, your age and of course, your natural colouring. 

We are all influenced by colour every day, whether we realise it or not. If we're having a bad day and not feeling good about ourselves, we tend to automatically choose clothes in dull neutral colours like black, grey or brown because they match how we're feeling. Just as when we're happy and feeling great we will go for something a bit brighter. 

Have a look in your wardrobe and see how many different colours you own. Do you have a veritable rainbow of outfits? Or are there just 1 or 2 colours that you wear a variation of all the time? You may find you are stuck in a colour rut. Knowing this, why not experiment with the colours you wear and surround yourself with. 

Sometimes it is not just the colour itself, but a combination of colours that create the affect. Colours produce different reactions when used in different fabrics and when put together in different colour combinations. For example, a red jacket worn with a white shirt to a business meeting exhibits confidence and power, but a red jacket worn with a lacy red top may be interpreted as saying, "I'm sexy and exciting and I have other things on my mind besides this business meeting". 

Red is actually not the best colour to wear to a job interview as it can set the scene for an uneasy interaction between females. So what colours are appropriate for what situation? 

Here is a list of the colours that men respond well to, both socially and professionally. 

* Yellow: Holds their attention and keeps them alert; indicates the start of something new 

* Yellow-based reds: Energetic colour that keeps conversations going 

* True reds: Exhibits confidence 

* Burgundy: Reflects class and sophistication and attracts the same type of men 

* Mid-range blues: Puts others at ease and allows interactions to go smoothly 

* Sky blue: A calming colour 

* Navy blue: Signals that you want to be taken seriously; it inspires others to listen to what you have to say and displays that you are trustworthy 

* Blue-based reds: Suggests intelligence and femininity 

* Red violet: Suggests strength and creativity 

It is most important though, to choose colours that are a good fit for your natural colouring. There is no point choosing a colour that suggests creativity and confidence if it also makes you look washed out or sick. 

Wearing your best range of colours can have a huge impact on your wardrobe and your confidence. The right colours can make your skin tone appear more even, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles and make you look brighter and healthier. While on the other hand wearing a colour which isn't so good for you, can make you look tired, dull and even ill. A colour analysis with a professional image consultant will show you exactly which range of colours are best for your clothing, makeup and accessories. 

In short, our fashion colour choices tell the world a lot about us. Knowing how to use colour to your advantage can change the way you dress and boost your self-confidence. 


About The Author 
Susan Lockhart is a leading Image Consultant in Brisbane, Australia and owner of Synergy Image Consulting. Learn how to make the most of your appearance and dress for success, no matter what size, age or shape you are. Get professional advice on colour, dressing for your body shape, bridal wear, grooming and more. Consultations for men and women. Visit http://www.synergyimage.com.au

How To Start A Tshirt Company

A new life from the expat perspective

Three fashion-savvy Sydney-based Kiwis share their career moves

across the Tasman and why they love their chosen city. 


Tulia Wilson

Four years ago Tulia Wilson left her long-standing role as womenswear designer at Zambesi for a new life in Sydney. "I did my last show with Zambesi at Australian Fashion Week in 2007 and basically cried myself to sleep that night going, 'oh God, I can't believe that's the end of an era'. Then I literally moved over there     within a couple of weeks," Wilson explains during a visit to New Zealand. The move was largely motivated by her now-husband Neha Belton's role in opening the Australian branch of Wall Fabrics, but, "from the minute I got there it felt like it was well and truly the right decision".

Now the founder and designer of her own label, Selftitled, Wilson's first foray into fashion in Sydney saw her acting as creative director of the iconic Sydney label Ksubi, where she worked for almost two years until the label moved production to China and the design process became less hands on. "You didn't get to be involved in the draping of fabric, creatiion of patterns, or experimenting with wash on denim. That's the true part of fashion I love; it has to be hands on."

Following her departure from Ksubi, Wilson was offered about half a dozen jobs at various brands, but she decided it was time to focus on something more personal.

"At the time I couldn't see myself investing all my energy in another label. It wasn't so much that it needed to be about me, but I felt like I needed to find myself in the whole process. I figured that if I wasn't leaping at the chance to work for somebody else, it was time to figure out what I was about."

So around 18 months ago she launched Selftitled, a line inspired largely by what Wilson felt she and her friends wanted to wear. She says she got past the point of wanting a big brand and world domination, instead aiming to keep it small, individual and unique, a more relaxed attitude no doubt inspired in part by the birth of her daughter, Hero. "I thought about what I really liked, which was still exploring vintage stores, finding one-off pieces, having something very small that felt much more unique and individual," explains Wilson, who works from a small studio space in Pott's Point, near her Elizabeth Bay home.

"It wasn't about creating seasonal collections, it was just creating a series of pieces as I felt inspired to do so, and working a lot with the fabrics I love - particularly leather."

Having worked so closely with the industry back home for so long, at such an iconic New Zealand label, Wilson is perhaps more qualified than most to offer her take on the differences between the industries. Like her garments, she has an intelligent and thoughtful take on the topic. "I think the younger brands in Sydney have the opportunity to develop in a slightly more sophisticated way, faster than they do in New Zealand, by virtue of the fact that they have the department stores as a huge option - that can generate a lot of wholesale turnover for them quite quickly, if that's what they choose to do." The very strong range of multi-brand boutiques in Sydney also helps, something that is somewhat lacking in Auckland.

"I haven't been in New Zealand for four years, so I'm not entirely sure what is going on, but there is a lot of government support for the fashion industry in Australia - there are grants that you can get depending on your turnover. In order to keep the infrastructure on shore, the Government has a lot of incentives to help businesses keep their production local, which I think is important for the industry as a whole."

Wilson and Belton still have some roots in Auckland - they are currently renovating their Grey Lynn home - but Wilson says it's the location and climate that attract her to Sydney. "It's a fantastic place to live - you're so close to both the beaches and the really vibrant, diverse cosmopolitan city."

* Self-Titled is stocked at Black Box Boutique, Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Tulia's Sydney

For breakfast, I still think Fratelli Paradiso (12-16 Challis Ave, Potts Point). Then lunch at Sean's Panaroma (270 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach), and dinner at Porteno (358 Cleveland St, Surry Hills).

For shopping, I think Land's End, hands down - it's just got a really interesting mix of product that's quite different; it has a really original take on what's going on (205 Glenmore Rd, Paddington). The Corner Shop in the city is really good too (Shops 80-81, Level 1, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George St).

There's a great organic market by Carriageworks in Eveleigh, which is on every Saturday morning (Eveleigh Markets, Blacksmith's Workshop, 243 Wilson St, Darlington). And even things that have been there forever - like the fact that Ariel Books (Ariel Books, 42 Oxford Street, Paddington) is open until midnight every night - it's so nice!

Kelvin Harries

Department store David Jones is an Australian institution, with a New Zealander playing a key role behind the scenes. Kelvin Harries has worked as a stylist for the iconic store for roughly 12 years, pulling together its seasonal campaigns and high profile fashion shows - in addition to his respected work with Australian designers, consulting for Lakme Fashion Week in India, and styling for fashion magazines including Oyster and Harper's Bazaar. But it's his long-standing relationship with David Jones that will be best recognised by most Australians: their department stores are big business.

Raised in Gisborne, Harries has lived in Sydney for 20 years, a city that he loves for "the climate, the lifestyle, the food culture, the beaches, the sunshine". He has worked closely with various designers who have helped shape the Australian fashion landscape: Collette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, Michelle Jank, and recently, Kirrily Johnston and young designer Gary Begini. But it wasn't until moving to Sydney that Harries began to be involved in fashion, having previously worked in a bank in Auckland for 10 years.

He jokes that he scammed his way into the industry, when he went for a role at Oyster. "I went in and I had a good story and told them I had just travelled back from Europe and freelanced in LA and freelanced in Zurich, and just talked a bit. They asked to see my portfolio and I said 'unfortunately my last port of call was Amsterdam, and I had my bag of luggage stolen at the train station, and I had my portfolio inside, so I had to come back and start it again'. That was my short cut into the industry. But at the end of the day, if you don't come up with the goods you can't bluff a job like this for very long. I guess I just had that instinct for the work." He worked at the magazine for two years, before moving on to Harper's Bazaar where he was fashion editor for five.

Now a freelance stylist working with corporate clients and fashion designers, Harries believes his role is an important balance of the creative with the commercial.

"It's a job of creativity but it's also a job of sound business sense," he explains.

"The skill of being a really good stylist is to not implant your own aesthetic on a job; your work should really be invisible. Even when you work with a designer, your influence should not be able to be detected in that collection. You have to be able to understand their brand and develop who they are, not who you are."

Kelvin's Sydney

Busshari Restaurant 119 Macleay St, Potts Point. For exquisite fine dining Japanese in a discreet, stylish environment. The kingfish carpaccio, tuna tataki salad and dynamite rolls are standouts although I could happily make my way from one end of the menu to the other without pausing for breath. The food is outstanding.

Velluto Bar 
50 Macleay St, Potts Point. Tucked away towards the back end of the park of the El Alamein Fountain in the heart of Kings Cross, Velluto is a small neighbourhood lounge bar, discreetly lit, beautifully appointed and stylishly run - a rare find in Sydney party town. The music level is low, conversational and passionately edited from resident host Brien's extensive library of 6000 plus CDs. The white chocolate martinis are a personal favourite.

Llankelly Place 
Kings Cross. This once divey laneway of porn shops and pawn shops has suddenly become home to a string of great indoor/outdoor bars and restaurants - LL Wine and Dine, Mad Pizza, Bamboo (dumplings), KL Kitchen (Malaysian) etc. It's a perfect place to sit outside and watch the cross section of Kings Cross culture parade by.

Zoo Emporium 
180b Campbell St, Surry Hills. Vintage and recycled clothing over two large store levels, this place is an institution.

Assin 
T2 Verona St, Paddington (next to Verona Cinema). If you want an indulgent shopping experience of top tier brands - Rick Owens, Dior, Lanvin, Ann Demeulemeester, Haider Ackermann - this is the store for you, both men and women.

Brenda Harvey

After working for two of Sydney's best fashion labels, Lover and Kirrily Johnston, Brenda Harvey decided it was time to launch her own. And so, almost two years ago, Benah was born, a high-end accessories label that takes its name from Harvey's childhood nickname and incorporates beautifully handmade, understated printed scarves, leatherware and bags.

Raised in Taumarunui, Harvey arrived in Sydney around eight years ago, a stopover via a one-way ticket to London. She left her role as Paul Serville's assistant and left to see the world.

"I came here, in my early 20s, spent all my money, partied - I was the cliche, I moved to Bondi, and had the time of my life," she explains. Some months later, after another stopover in Southeast Asia, she returned to Sydney - "And I still haven't made it to London!" she jokes.

Once back in the city and working various odd-jobs, Harvey decided it was time to do something about her dream of working in fashion, enrolling in a clothing production course at TAFE. An internship, then full-time job at Lover followed (she was one of the much-loved label's first employees), then Harvey worked at Kirrily Johnston as production manager.

Like most in Sydney, Harvey credits the relaxed lifestyle as the thing she loves most about the city - her fiance Ben Briand is another, a born and bred Sydney-sider and film-maker who produces the seasonal imagery for Benah (the couple have an adorable 9-month-old daughter, Milla). "The lifestyle is easy: everything's accessible. You can buy amazing food, you can access amazing fashion. People seem to be, especially this year, really optimistic about where everything is headed and where the world's going," Harvey explains. "It's positive here, there are opportunities, and you feel like you are part of the world."

We talk about the differences between Sydney and home - New Zealanders' penchant for black being a key one (when she first arrived years ago, everything in her suitcase was black). There's also the obvious: the industry here is much smaller.

But Harvey says that doesn't mean it can't be global, talking about Karen Walker as an example. "My mum asked me the other day, 'what's so different about her?' And I said that she didn't design for a New Zealander, she thought beyond, globally, which is so important. These days there are no borders - the world is so much smaller."

* Benah is stocked at Simon James Concept Store, The Department Store, Takapuna, Auckland.

Brenda's Sydney

Blackburn Gardens & Seven Shillings Beach Double Bay. 
This place is such such a peaceful hideaway just a short distance from the city. It has an amazing restored heritage garden with manicured lawn and sundial. It almost feels like you are spending the day at some grand old mansion on the harbour with the most spectacular views from what feels like a private beach.

DVD Gallery 
385 New South Head Rd, Double Bay. My partner Ben and I spend a lot of time here. They have a whole floor dedicated to hard-to-find, cult, arthouse films as well as your usual Hollywood fluff. Plus it sells dairy-free Serendipity kaffir coconut gelato, which I cannot get enough of.

The Corner House 
281 Bondi Rd, Bondi. I like that this bar feels local even though it's only a stone's throw away from the tourist mecca of Bondi Beach. It's a lot of little rooms so has quite an intimate feel and the best wine selection.

Mitchell Road 
Auction House 76 Mitchell Rd, Alexandria. I am such a hoarder and collector. I definitely relate to the saying, "A person's trash is another's treasure". I can literally, and have been known to. spend hours here. So many amazing bits and bobs.

Who else?

A small selection of other fashionable Kiwis making it in the city

* Mala Brajkovic - Head designer for Something Else

* Shay Thomas - Prada PR & Advertising Manager

* Marina Didovich - Stylist, Fashion Quarterly fashion editor

* Rene Vaile - Photographer

* Rachael Tuffery - Fashion show producer

* Greg Sands - Graphic designer, works with designer Kym Ellery

* Derek Henderson - Photographer

* Carrie Cooper - Designer for footwear label Beau Coops

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10726361