Vignettes from NZ fashion Week
Still reeling from the exhilaration and exhaustion of the New Zealand Fashion Week, Farida Master writes about some of the sassy designers and spectacular shows.
Inspite of the heavy down pour, icy winds and stormy weather, the New Zealand Fashion Week managed to draw the fashionistas in a whirlwind of style, colour, cut and design. Turning ten is undoubtedly a milestone that was celebrated with gusto and chutzpah.
Regardless of the recession and the naysayers who were wondering how founder Pieter Stewart and daughter Myken would pull it off, the tenth anniversary of NZFW went without a glitch-- or so it seemed to the style slaves who had gathered at the Mecca of fashion at the Viaduct harbor.
The NZFW kicked off with the eco-friendly label, Starfish that showcased the Winter 2011 collection called Seven Sisters, which featured sustainable fashion; and ended with Celebrating 10 Years Retrospective Show, where the spotlight was thrown on the last decade of New Zealand fashion. Forty of New Zealand's most renowned designers from the past nine years like World, Alexandra Owen, Zambesi, Annah Stretton, Cybele, Hailwood, Nom D, Sabatini, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Trelise Cooper and many others, got together to commemorate 10 years of New Zealand Fashion.
Adding the wow factor to the Fashion Week this year was its first ever bridal show, an awe-inspiring symphony in white. Designers like Anna Schimmel, John Zimmerman, Crane Brothers, Vinka Designs, Jane Yeah, Kate Dowman and Louise Anderson outdid themselves as their ethereal and elegant creations were a vision of breath-taking beauty. From timeless classics to avant garde designs there was something for every bride and her groom. What is worth a mention is that the Christchurch based designer, Louise Anderson nearly pulled out, because she was caught in the middle of the earthquake. The award-winning designer was quite shaken up with the stress of the earthquake and its aftermath as it wiped off an entire week from her Fashion Week preparations. Yet she managed to make sure that she had the audience swooning over her exquisite designs that were draped with romance and splendour.
From luminous and luxe bridal wear to pretty frocks with ruffles, the high-priestess of fashion, Trelise Cooper created a magical fairytale moment on the runway with her Trelise Cooper Kids collection. Always a big hit with moms and kids alike, giant fairy toadstools and a spinning windmill provided a picturesque backdrop for Trelise Cooper Kids show. This year's theme was a celebration of the new Barbie movie, A Fashion Fairytale.
The tiny-tots in the audience were even given a Barbie doll apart from a lovely goody bag of course. The idea being that most little girls begin by dressing up their dolls. For the internationally acclaimed designer it was about fashion coming a full circle.
Whatever her critics may say, the fact remains that Trelise Cooper's collections are always visual treat. It’s amazing how the unrivalled queen of logistics meticulously manages to pack in an incredible number of silhouettes in the show within a show—as she showcases two labels--the Trelise Cooper label and Cooper by Trelise. What had the spectators sit up and watch with wide-eyed wonder was the breathtaking backdrop that came up after her first showing. It was a glowing print of a stained glass window featuring Botticelli's Primavera, which was beautifully woven into her signature designs.
Another highlight this year was the American designer Nicole Miller who came to NZFW to explore this part of the world. Her form-fitting, edgy designs mainly in black, were worn like a second skin and had an aesthetic appeal. You could easily figure out why she dresses up the likes of Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria and Beyonce. America’s Next top model Krista White (the season is yet to be aired on NZ television) walked the ramp for Nicole as well.
Breaking away from the huzz buzz of the fashion village at 101 Halsey Street, was the World collection titled Wasted Days, Wasted Nights at the Langham hotel. The special guests were treated to high tea and champagne along with dollops of eclectic style and panache. The idea was to bring back luxury and a sense of fun into a real woman’s life-- and that’s exactly what they managed to do, with flowing gowns in a brilliant flash of colour, body skimming suits and jackets with a sculptured look. Men with designer frames, polka dotted umbrellas and sequinned shoes, bespoke of flamboyance and flair that sits well with the label.
Then there was theatrics, Nom*d; plus-size model making a fashionable statement, Carpenters Daughter; top indigenous Maori designers, Miromoda show; the artist and the muse that showcased Sabatini’s love for classic film and drama; and plenty of other stunning collections that marked a decade of the greatest New Zealand design talent from couturiers to young designers-- who stretched the boundaries and crossed the fashion line.
All photos: NZFW – Michael Ng
Still reeling from the exhilaration and exhaustion of the New Zealand Fashion Week, Farida Master writes about some of the sassy designers and spectacular shows. Inspite of the heavy down pour, icy winds and stormy weather, the New Zealand Fashion Week managed to draw the fashionistas in a...
Still reeling from the exhilaration and exhaustion of the New Zealand Fashion Week, Farida Master writes about some of the sassy designers and spectacular shows.
Inspite of the heavy down pour, icy winds and stormy weather, the New Zealand Fashion Week managed to draw the fashionistas in a whirlwind of style, colour, cut and design. Turning ten is undoubtedly a milestone that was celebrated with gusto and chutzpah.
Regardless of the recession and the naysayers who were wondering how founder Pieter Stewart and daughter Myken would pull it off, the tenth anniversary of NZFW went without a glitch-- or so it seemed to the style slaves who had gathered at the Mecca of fashion at the Viaduct harbor.
The NZFW kicked off with the eco-friendly label, Starfish that showcased the Winter 2011 collection called Seven Sisters, which featured sustainable fashion; and ended with Celebrating 10 Years Retrospective Show, where the spotlight was thrown on the last decade of New Zealand fashion. Forty of New Zealand's most renowned designers from the past nine years like World, Alexandra Owen, Zambesi, Annah Stretton, Cybele, Hailwood, Nom D, Sabatini, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Trelise Cooper and many others, got together to commemorate 10 years of New Zealand Fashion.
Adding the wow factor to the Fashion Week this year was its first ever bridal show, an awe-inspiring symphony in white. Designers like Anna Schimmel, John Zimmerman, Crane Brothers, Vinka Designs, Jane Yeah, Kate Dowman and Louise Anderson outdid themselves as their ethereal and elegant creations were a vision of breath-taking beauty. From timeless classics to avant garde designs there was something for every bride and her groom. What is worth a mention is that the Christchurch based designer, Louise Anderson nearly pulled out, because she was caught in the middle of the earthquake. The award-winning designer was quite shaken up with the stress of the earthquake and its aftermath as it wiped off an entire week from her Fashion Week preparations. Yet she managed to make sure that she had the audience swooning over her exquisite designs that were draped with romance and splendour.
From luminous and luxe bridal wear to pretty frocks with ruffles, the high-priestess of fashion, Trelise Cooper created a magical fairytale moment on the runway with her Trelise Cooper Kids collection. Always a big hit with moms and kids alike, giant fairy toadstools and a spinning windmill provided a picturesque backdrop for Trelise Cooper Kids show. This year's theme was a celebration of the new Barbie movie, A Fashion Fairytale.
The tiny-tots in the audience were even given a Barbie doll apart from a lovely goody bag of course. The idea being that most little girls begin by dressing up their dolls. For the internationally acclaimed designer it was about fashion coming a full circle.
Whatever her critics may say, the fact remains that Trelise Cooper's collections are always visual treat. It’s amazing how the unrivalled queen of logistics meticulously manages to pack in an incredible number of silhouettes in the show within a show—as she showcases two labels--the Trelise Cooper label and Cooper by Trelise. What had the spectators sit up and watch with wide-eyed wonder was the breathtaking backdrop that came up after her first showing. It was a glowing print of a stained glass window featuring Botticelli's Primavera, which was beautifully woven into her signature designs.
Another highlight this year was the American designer Nicole Miller who came to NZFW to explore this part of the world. Her form-fitting, edgy designs mainly in black, were worn like a second skin and had an aesthetic appeal. You could easily figure out why she dresses up the likes of Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria and Beyonce. America’s Next top model Krista White (the season is yet to be aired on NZ television) walked the ramp for Nicole as well.
Breaking away from the huzz buzz of the fashion village at 101 Halsey Street, was the World collection titled Wasted Days, Wasted Nights at the Langham hotel. The special guests were treated to high tea and champagne along with dollops of eclectic style and panache. The idea was to bring back luxury and a sense of fun into a real woman’s life-- and that’s exactly what they managed to do, with flowing gowns in a brilliant flash of colour, body skimming suits and jackets with a sculptured look. Men with designer frames, polka dotted umbrellas and sequinned shoes, bespoke of flamboyance and flair that sits well with the label.
Then there was theatrics, Nom*d; plus-size model making a fashionable statement, Carpenters Daughter; top indigenous Maori designers, Miromoda show; the artist and the muse that showcased Sabatini’s love for classic film and drama; and plenty of other stunning collections that marked a decade of the greatest New Zealand design talent from couturiers to young designers-- who stretched the boundaries and crossed the fashion line.
All photos: NZFW – Michael Ng
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