"Rainbow Bright was named after the cartoon that I've always had
a fascination with. Pink Poodle is named after my best friend, Isabelle and the Jaffa cake is named after Sierra who was a little chunky red headed baby." The photo style of the book is reminiscent of childhood favourite
I SPY books. Each morsel is shot with miniature props relating to the cupcake's theme. "I have hundreds of cookbooks and I love that, with mine, you can
always find something new. I find cookbooks boring when you look through and there are just cakes on stands. You don't want to pick it up and look through it again." With a background in fashion and sales Missy knows how the right
merchandise can add real value to the appeal of a product. "When I was nine, I started working doing volunteer work and by
the time I was 13 I was working part time for the Just Jeans Group. At age 18 when most people were looking at getting into their first
As seen in Miss Melicious...
job I was already managing a store and getting into the styling side of things. I've always had an eye for design." That same quirky style can be seen in the store's interior.
Reminiscent of a 1950s milkshake bar edgy artwork from artist and friend of Missy's, Autumn McGrail have inspired the pink, white and black theme that runs through the space from the quilted headboard on the front counter to the wallpaper and stools. Pink chandeliers, a retro coke fridge, tattoo magazines and a Candyland board game round off the 'tongue-in-cheek' decor. Currently in the works is Missy's second premises, a kiosk in Karangahape Road and a clothing line under the Miss Melicious brand. With plans to take the business international this colourful soul is one to watch. Nakita Ardern www.missmelicious.com
Autumn McGrail
She has exhibited in group and solo
shows around New Zealand and is a frequent participant of The New Zealand Art show. Her first solo show was an exhibition full of painted Burlesque dancers called 'The Candy Dolls' and the second was an Alice in Wonderland themed show named 'Down the Rabbit Hole'. She is currently showing at Rex Royale in Wellington with a show based on Dia de los Muertos - the Mexican holiday 'Day of the Dead'. Her signature stylized female figures
are a mixture of darkness, cuteness and sex appeal. She is inspired by the 50's pin up as well as the doll-like glamour of the 1920s, burlesque, circus, vintage movies and mermaids. Autumn was delighted when asked
to provide works for Miss Melicious' cupcake boutique and hopes to have an Auckland show in the near future. www.phaedra.co.nz/Autumn
Autumn McGrail is a con- temporary figurative artist, based in Wellington
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