NOM*D: Welcome to 'Bedlam'
In the London of the 1790s a popular diversion for the
monied classes was to go and look at the unfortunate inmates of the
Bedlam asylum.
What better theme for NOM*D than organised chaos?
The Dunedin based label have traditionally incorporated uniform
style designs in their range, and this year's collection continued
this trend.
NOM*D served up an ecclectic mix of designs for the packed
audience in the Westpac Tent on day one of New Zealand Fashion
Week.
The stage was indeed set for bedlam, with a cage framing the first
half of the catwalk. The models certainly played the part too -
blank, make-up free faces framed by birds nest hair.
The range wasn't to everyone's taste but like it or not, you have
to admire NOM*D's ability to twist traditional clothing
conventions. Shirts were used as straight jackets, fleecy pajama
prints were worn with black blazers. NOM*D aren't afraid of mixing
. Hell, they even had their models in the onesies traditionally
worn by those under two years of age.
None of it was wearable, unless you're into wearing a cable knit
wollen poncho, which seemed to be a patchwork of woollen
jumpers knitted together with white ribbon. But that wasn't the
point of NOM*D's range.
The layering was incredible and helped create a sense of
disharmony, of chaos - of bedlam. Each outfit was topped off with a
pair of bright hightop sneakers in red and orange.
My personal favourite was the men's black jacket; a tailored
garment that seemed perfectly straight from the front. The back was
a different story, with a crisp white shirt sewn onto the hem of
the jacket, creating a yin-and-yan effect.
The collection was given a warm reception. Liz Findlay
(sister of NOM*D designer Margarita Robertson) was on-hand for
sibling support. It'll be interesting to see what Zambesi
serves up on Thursday.
tvnz.co.nz will be at Air New Zealand Fashion Week,
bringing you all the latest news, pictures and blogs from the
Auckland Viaduct - September 16-21.
