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Ali McD model from the Dunedin iD fashion show - Source: ONE News -
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Style Blog recently jetted down south to attend the annual iD Fashion week held in Dunedin.
We were decidedly impressed by what we saw and even enjoyed embracing the noticeably cooler temperatures, learning about the art of layering on the way!
We love Dunedin! The history of this city is absolutely fascinating and the old historic buildings are charming.
We stayed in a delightful old historic property called Fletcher Lodge. The owners Ewa and Keith are incredibly sweet and they have the cutest little puppy, a schnauzer dog aptly named "Fletcher" who loves a good croissant!
Check them out at: www.fletcherlodge.co.nz
The first event in our diary was the iD Emerging Designer Awards now in its seventh year.
The awards attracted over 120 entries from 20 countries, representing some of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world.
Finalists were selected by a panel of judges, comprising of local NZ fashion designers Nom*D's Margarita Robertson and Tanya Carlson, Vogue Australia's online Editor Damien Woolnough, Australian/Japanese designer Akira Isogawa and Stefano Sopelza from the Italian Mittelmoda Fashion Design Awards.
The finalists' collections represent the best of emerging fashion design from around the world, with creative and inspirational uses of textiles and new fabric technologies.
The iD International Emerging Designer Awards is the only fashion competition of its kind in New Zealand, offering an international platform for rising national and international fashion design talent.
The winner of the night was Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology graduate, Kate Bolzonello with her collection called "Clouded".
While we weren't actually fans of a look that makes its wearer look 9 months pregnant, we appreciated the background concepts behind her designs.
Kate's designs were based around the concept of the lightness of
clouds, and also photos by Sarah Moon. There was certainly a play
on tones and texture and also the "fullness" of the silhouette was
very "cloud-like"!
Second prize went to Queensland University of Technology's Shenaz Engineer's collection," A Kaleidoscopic Perspective". This featured some gorgeous Alexander McQueen-esque laser-cut prints and silks.
Sarah Mok from Sydney's University of Technology received the third prize for her pretty, sculptural, 3-dimensional collection "Ephemeral Reverie".
A stand out for us was Massey University graduate Marie Kelly's' unforgettable collection "Look into My Eyes". A spooky quartet of figures completely swathed in black, even their faces were totally covered.
It looked like homage to "Lord of the Rings" or "The Grim
Reaper"!
Marie's designs came about because of her own personal battle with
depression.
The amount of work and technical skill seen was formidable! Hats off to all you amazing up-and-coming designers!
The next big event for iD Dunedin Fashion Week was of course the
big Fashion show held at the beautiful historic Dunedin Railway
Station.
We were told to "rug up well" as the show is semi-outside and runs
for several hours. So out came the sexy (not!) thermals and we
rolled on up to the train station looking like doppelgangers for
the Michelin man.
Down in Dunedin, it's not about looking svelte and slinky, it's about survival baby! It's frigging cold! Some smart folk actually bought blankets with them to the show, swaddling themselves up in!
The Dunedin railway station is a stunning backdrop for a fashion show and the 110 metre long runway is one of the longest catwalks in the world.
The show featured high-profile labels showcasing their winter collections including; Nom* D, Carlson, Mild Red, Charmaine Reveley, Twenty-seven names and Company of Strangers to name but a few.
Carlson started the show off with a bang with a classic and
thoroughly wearable collection that popped with punchy colour.
Other standouts were Nom*D's intellectual, dark collection "Danse
Macabre", Twentysevennames highly covetable pieces and also Kathryn
Wilson's cheeky winter shoe collection.
Australian/Japanese designer Akira Isogawa added an International flavour to the show, showing his most recent collection of beautiful and whimsical creations.
Up and coming designers to watch are Lela Jacob's with her Margiela reminiscent collection "This Crooked Way" and also Vaughn Geeson whose hero dress was worn by Breakfast's Petra Bagust last week on the show.
We also love, love, loved Charlotte Smith's Darnell collection
of vintage clothing and accessories that Charlotte inherited from
her American godmother,
Doris Darnell - The 1960's Chanel and Dior were
amazing!
Earlier on that day we attended a public lecture given by Charlotte and by the end of it, we were so inspired by the pure passion and enthusiasm Charlotte has collecting beautiful one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.
Charlotte is a highly charismatic woman who has lived an incredible life, jet-setting around the world and going to fabulous parties attended by the rich and famous. She has written two books: Dreaming of Dior and Dreaming of Chanel.
The Darnell collection is Australia's largest private collection of international vintage couture clothing and accessories. In 2004, Charlotte inherited over 3000 priceless pieces including Chanel, Dior and Versace and now the collection has grown to 5000 items.
"The true value of the collection are the amazing and poignant stories that come with each item. Charlotte says "This wasn't a mere collection of beautiful things; it was a collection of life. Women's lives. Tiny snapshots of our joys and disappointment, or entrances and exits, triumphant and tragic."
"I love working with students and anyone fascinated by and passionate about fashion and recognise the importance of vintage clothing as educational and inspiring," says Charlotte.
Sadly, our whirlwind trip to Dunedin had come to an end but we still managed to do our own vintage shopping at an amazing treasure trove of vintage finds "Modern Miss" located on Moray place near the Octagon.
If you love old historic buildings you simply must go and visit Larnach Castle. It's absolutely stunning! We travelled there with a crazy Irish/Italian fellow who was dressed in a kilt that we had befriended earlier on that morning! It was an apt fit indeed!
Also, don't miss Olveston house, Dunedin's premier historic house which showcases the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900's. The antique collection is incredible
We are already looking forward to coming back to Dunedin again next year!
See you all next week!
xoxo Style Blog
