By Victoria Wells
Crowds packed the Auckland Town Hall for one of the most eagerly anticipated shows of L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week - the collection from designer Trelise Cooper.
Entitled "Powerful Women of Myths and Legends", Cooper used two of New Zealand's own powerful women with medal winning rowing sisters Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell joining models on the catwalk.
The twins received rousing applause when they appeared, as did television presenter and former model Charlotte Dawson.
Trelise Cooper's show featured a live singer and musician and was an eclectic mix of dresses, tailored suiting, coats and skirts using luxurious satins, velvets and rich brocades. Detailing on the pieces included frayed hems, pleats and ruffles.
Dawson finished the show in a black floor length evening gown with a heavily beaded train, which drew applause from the audience and ended in a standing ovation for Cooper as she emerged from backstage.
Earlier, E! Channel presenter Cindy Taylor and New Zealand model Nicky Watson added star factor when they appeared for label IPG. Watson wore a diamante bikini for her role as the Ice Queen, while Taylor modelled several dresses during the show.
The collection, entitled "Urban Wolf" featured fitted trousers, fluid draping satin dresses and wrap tops.
Up and coming designer Adrian Hailwood showed his collection to several hundred guests in a marquee in Aotea Square. His distinctive graphic prints echoed North Africa and he used velvets, satins, wool and denim to create off the shoulder tops, blazers, dresses and jeans with a stylised 'H' emblazoned on the back pockets.
Doris de Pont and Sabatini WHITE rounded off the shows on Wednesday night.
The last trade shows of L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week are being held on Thursday - renowned New Zealand designer Karen Walker takes the final place with her show at York Street Studios on Thursday evening.
