Tuesday, 14 February 2012
The Barkers sponsored delegates of the International Model United Nations, Jonathan Gee and Phillip Chung, have sent us their third exciting report on their trip, which is posted below.
The gloominess of the infamous Parisian Metro didn’t stop us from adoring one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Paris. While comprehending the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower, we didn’t know whether it was the freezing cold or our fear of heights that caused our calf muscles to tense as we climbed the long steep stairway towards the first platform. The third tier was where we wondered at the famous Parisian landmarks down below, trying to comprehend that in the next few days we would be visiting them ourselves.
We heard the echoing of voices as we explored the historic interior of Notre Dame while it was in service. Our numerous encounters, from the artwork of Van Gogh at the Musée d’Orsay to the lavishness of Palais de Versailles and Sacre-Coeur, exemplified the historic treasures before our eyes. We finished off our Parisian journey with a boat ride on one of the famous bateau-moche down the river Seine.
Jonathan and Phillip in Paris.
Berlin, in short, according to our British tour guide, is “wild, broken and weirdly beautiful”. Essentially an active building site, Berlin is still rebuilding long after the fatal World Wars. The Jewish Museum, part of the Berlin Wall and the Bundestag (German Parliament) with its modern glass dome signifying the transparency German politicians owe to their people, were all very moving experiences. We really felt that all that Berlin was, despite the destruction of much of its historic beauty, had been laid bare for us to see. It was a genuine city – people and place – not afraid to let the world know of its history.
Berlin - wild, broken and weirdly beautiful.
It was back to our diplomatic activities while in Brussels, Belgium. We had morning tea at the New Zealand Embassy and Mission to the European Union. We were hosted by Paul Ash, Deputy Head of Mission, along with his embassy staff and were briefed on the works of the European Union. Quite fittingly, Brussels is the home of the European Parliament, and is where we took part in an interactive role play there, acting as Members of the European Parliament while at the European Parliamentarium.
A stunning shot of Brussels in Belgium.
With our few hours in Amsterdam we took the time to explore Anne Frank House, the place where Anne Frank lived in secretly at the time of Nazi persecution of the Jews during WWII. The house is where she wrote most of her renowned diary.
Equipped with our experiences of the wider world of diplomacy in which we faced in the last two weeks, we set off to the World Forum Convention Centre for the 44th annual session of The Hague International Model United Nations – ready to show the world the political might of little New Zealand.
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Thursday, 9 February 2012
Barkers has sponsored two of the New Zealand delegates to the International Model United Nations in the Hague. Jonathan Gee and Phillip Chung have sent us their second report describing their adventures in Hong Kong and Geneva Switzerland, which is posted below.
It isn’t often that you’re given the opportunity to experience some of the world’s oldest cities as a teenager. Here’s a rundown of the first 2 weeks of our study tour around Europe and Hong Kong; preceding our assignment representing the New Zealand Delegation at the Hague International Model United Nations 2012.
Our first stop was Hong Kong. After an 11-hour flight, Hong Kong seemed like half a world away from the New Zealand we call home. Staying in the residential Kowloon district, our preconceptions of Hong Kong as a largely westernised commercial hub were shattered as we came face-to-face with the wonders of the oriental world. Our political negotiating skills were put to the test as we faced off against sellers at the night markets, yearning for a bargain.
Our visit to the Wong Tai Sin Temple was a buzzing experience, in amongst a hive of locals burning incense and paying their respects to their lost relatives in light of Chinese New Year. A short ferry ride away was the true financial hub of Hong Kong Island. We hovered up the peak where we observed amongst the smog a magnificent display of skyscrapers. We left Hong Kong satisfied that we had seen the two faces of a city that punches above its weight.
Jonathan and Phillip in Hong Kong.
We really felt the wrath of the European winter as we landed in Geneva, Switzerland. After wondering in awe of the quant beauty of the Old Town of Geneva, our Barkers-sponsored suits made their debut at the New Zealand Permanent Mission to Geneva. We were hosted by Her Excellency Dell Higgie, NZ Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, along with her fellow diplomatic colleagues. The Delegation, most of us aspiring diplomats, marvelled in their wealth of knowledge and experiences in all things political.
Our next day of engagements included a 3-hour crash course on International Humanitarian Law at the Red Cross HQ (which also involved a conversation with former UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Daniel Heller), as well as a guided tour of the United Nations office at Geneva – a building originally built to house the failed League of Nations, predecessor to the UN. Now, it is the workplace of the 3500 Geneva-based UN staff as well as the diplomats of the UN Human Rights Council.
The guys show Geneva some NZ style in their Barkers suits.
- Jonathan Gee
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Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Just in time for Valentine's Day Barkers is bringing you the perfect date movie. This Means War opens nationwide on February 14 and is a revival of the best genre the '80s ever made - the action comedy. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy star as two CIA Agents who discover they're dating the same girl - Reese Witherspoon - and resolve to let the best man win, by any means necessary.
We were treated to a preview of 20 minutes from the film a few weeks ago, and it was fantastic - sharply scripted and enjoyably absurd, while bringing legitimate mega-budget action to the battle.
Barkers is presenting the premiere on February 12, and we have 15 double passes for you and a date to the ultra-premium La Premiere seats to give away to our VIPs. If you're outside of Auckland don't despair - ZM are hosting screenings in all the main centres on Monday February 13, and we've snagged some passes to those too.
All you need to do to win is email info@bmc.co.nz with This Means War in the subject line, along with the city you're after (we've got passes for screenings in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin). There's over 100 passes to be won, so you've got a great chance of making it to the screenings. But get in quick - the competition closes at midday on Thursday February 9th - so get your entry in now.
Check out the trailer below, and if you don't win make sure to check it out - it's got the wise-cracking humour and relentless pace of the likes of Lethal Weapon and other classics of the genre - the perfect mix of rom-com laughs and action thrills.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Joining Barkers two years ago as Head of Merchandise, Paul Biddle was determined to focus on formalwear. His reasoning was simple: a suit is often the most expensive item of clothing a man ever purchases, worn to the most important occasions in their life and for many, every day to work.
With that in mind, he set himself a lofty goal: to make Barkers suits the best off-the-rack range on the market.
Launching the latest collection this week, Biddle is confident he has achieved that goal.
“What you want is for a guy to put a suit on in a shop and instantly feel good, and we think we’ve achieved that,” he says. “In a difficult economic climate, a well cut suit can make a big difference in how you’re perceived in the job market – we saw a real opportunity to make a premium suit at an accessible price point.”
Barkers is the Official Formalwear of the All Blacks, the Warriors and a host of other key franchises, which Biddle sees as the chance to showcase the strength and variety of this new range. Given the variety of body shapes represented across the oval ball sports, getting the right fit was incredibly important. Once that new suit ‘block’ (the basic shape of a suit) was in place, it freed the Barkers merchandise team up to focus on the detail.
The three keys to a suit are material, construction and cut, says Biddle – if any one falls away, the suit won’t do its job, and will end up weighing its owner down, rather than elevating them.
“The fabric quality is number one. We’re offering a premium cloth at an accessible price point,” saus Biddle. “Super 120s Merino is a very fine cloth, one much more commonly found at the bespoke end of the suit market.”
Biddle is also extremely proud of the construction.
“It’s no good having a nice cloth if you don’t get the construction right. A lot of what makes a suit really work is hidden underneath the fabric. Our suits have full canvas fronts, which allow the jacket to conform to your body over time, and give the jacket a superb shape and roll.”
The new Barkers suits have just arrived in stores in eight fabrics and two fits - a slim and a classic. They retail for $649, but for a limited time can be purchased for $599 including a complimentary shirt and silk tie.
