It’s like a seaweed wrap, but without needing to be slathered in algae goop at a day spa. New Zealand-based activewear brand Orca has developed an innovative new fabric called SeaMerino, a world-first blend of ultra-fine New Zealand Merino wool and a seaweed-based fibre called SeaCell. The innovative fibre has been used in Orca’s new Restday range of wardrobe basics. When the garments are worn, the active substances in SeaCell are released and work to increase bloodflow, aid skin cell regeneration and quench excess free radicals. They also look cool. Orca has two of these new SeaMerino tops, valued at $179 (short sleeve) and $199 (long sleeve), to give away. Email us with the name of one of Orca’s other two Merino ranges (other than Restday). Hint, check out Orca to find out more. Entries close 12 August.

>> Visit Orca

Issue 57 of Urbis is out now! Get the inside story on the latest trends in kitchens, bathrooms and interiors with coverage of new kitchen and bathroom designs from Milan, interviews with some of the world’s most prominent design names, an overview of Nelson’s creative community, and the most beautiful new pieces of furniture and lighting for your home.

We also check out the best coffee gadgets to get you brewing in style, including this sculptural glass siphon coffee pot from Coffee Supreme (in the magazine we slipped up and incorrectly attributed it to another company). Coffee Supreme have one of these stunning Cona Table Model "C" coffee makers, valued at $240, to give away to a lucky Urbanism reader. To enter, email us with your name, address and tell us the name of one of Coffee Supreme’s cafés (the full list is on the Coffee Supreme website).

>> Coffee Supreme's cafe locator

Want to check out fantastic fashion while also supporting Breast Cancer Research? Trelise Cooper, patron of the Breast Cancer Research Trust, will launch her Summer 2011 Collections in an exclusive fashion show on Wednesday, 4 August.

The event starts at 6:30 for a 7pm start, and is being held at Coutts Mercedes-Benz, 2 Great South Rd, Newmarket, Auckland. Tickets are $80 with proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Trust. Book online at breastcancercure.org.nz or phone 0800 227 828. Please book by Monday 2nd August.

>> Breast Cancer Cure online

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Poggenpohl Sale

A Poggenpohl kitchen imported from Germany can require a sizeable investment, but the good news for anyone in the market for one of the world's most renowned kitchens is that Poggenpohl's Auckland showroom is undergoing a refit. As such, six Poggennpohl showroom kitchens are priced to clear at up to 60% off. Head down to 77 The Strand, Parnell, to check them out.

>> Poggenpohl Kitchens

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Fans of col­lect­ive art endeav­ours should head to The Digital Dark­room on Domin­ion Road as of today (and until 14 August) to take in a con­tem­por­ary art exhib­i­tion fea­tur­ing pho­to­graphy, art prints, graphic design and nee­dle­work (yes, the craft revival con­tin­ues unabated). If the flyer is any­thing to go by — and yes, some of us are guilty of star­ing deep into the depths of pro­mo­tional mater­ial in an attempt to make a quality call based mostly on small thumb­nail images — this show looks like it could be a winner.

>> Hunter Collective on Facebook

Halls filled with stalls selling fudge, chocolate, fresh juices, curries, ice cream… it may sound like heaven, but this is a nirvana you can actually visit. The Food Show is a four-day culinary extravaganza of unique artisan and boutique food products, fine wines, the latest trends in kitchenware and equipment plus a fantastic menu of cooking demonstrations from world-class chefs.
Escape the weather and take it all in at the ASB Showgrounds, Epsom, Auckland from 29 July until 1 August.

>> Auckland Food Show online

Cutting edge international architects, Momoyo Kaijima from Atelier Bow-Wow and Hitoshi Abe, are among the speakers lined up for this year’s Fast Forward public lecture series, hosted by the School of Architecture and Planning at The University of Auckland. These internationally acclaimed visitors present radically different approaches to the shifting role of the architectural profession.

Momoyo Kaijima’s Tokyo-based architectural firm, Atelier Bow-Wow, is among the most innovative practices working today. Achieving near cult status among architects and students around the world, Kaijima and her collaborator Yoshiharu Tsukamoto have built a career confronting the challenges posed by the dense urban environments of Japan.

Details: Momoyo Kaijima, Atelier Bow-Wow, Tokyo, 4 August 2010 at 6.30pm.

>> Fast Forward Lecture Information

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