Style blog: Fashion Week wrap-up
By TVNZ stylists Michiko Hylands and Clifton Piper
As always, Style Blog had an absolute ball this year at New Zealand
Fashion Week- although we began the week feeling ridiculously
exhausted, having just finished the Qantas Media Awards. There is
definitely no rest for the wicked!
In between our work commitments at TVNZ HQ, we attended as
many shows as possible - and blogged our little hearts out about
them! It wasn't all about swilling delicious champagne down in the
Moet and Chandon room all day long, we were actually extremely well
behaved and also didn't go along to a single after-party. We had
blogs to file! Okay, maybe we are getting old and
boring?
Anyway, it's been quite an achievement for NZ Fashion Week as the
event celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
We are really proud of New Zealand fashion and we tend to get
all-patriotic and teary-eyed when we think about how incredibly
talented our Kiwi designers are. Generally all the shows
were of a high calibre and truly of an international
standard.
While it's all still a bit of a blur and we do need time to
digest all the shows, we know what stood out and what
didn't...
What we loved
We loved
Juliette Hogan,
Cybèle and
Alexandra Owen's collections. These gals never
fail to produce well thought-out, conceptual collections in
which all the clothes work together as a unified whole. Always
beautifully executed, their collections were all amazing.
Trelise Cooper showed another strong collection
of beautiful pieces with her Cooper and Trelise Cooper ranges. We
loved the giant screen of Botticelli beauties in the background.
There were loads of covetable pieces on show, we particularly
liked a seriously cute little sequinned 'camo' dress.
Zambesi also produced another beautiful
collection - one of our favourite shows of NZFW. The gang down
at Zammers really excel in their winter collections, as the cold
weather seems to suit their distinctly unique design
aesthetic.
Ones to watch
One label that continues to go from strength to strength is Kirsha
Whitcher's label,
Salasai. We think her latest collection was her
best to date.
Blaire Archibald's menswear collection that was part of
Miromoda's Indigenous Maori group show. The cute
neutral colour palette and 1940s references with a modern twist
really caught our eye. This talented young lad is truly going to go
far!
Best show
Without a doubt the
WORLD show takes the cake! Firstly it was held in
the Langham Hotel 'Great Room' and even better, it was at a high
tea, yum! (We must be the only people in the fashion world who
actually eat!)
We loved the drama of the show with the crazy colours and
cape-like creations that were very reminiscent of
Priscilla,
Queen of the Desert. The sculptural hair was a work of
art in itself and the Swarovski crystal-embellished make-up was
amazing.
Hippest shows
The Stolen Girlfriends Club show produced another collection for
all the cool, 'it' boys and girls. Influenced strongly by 90s
grunge, the clothes have a truly rock 'n' roll decadence and are
young at heart. With 'it girls' Peaches Geldof, Kate Bosworth
and Ashlee Simpson nuts about the label, SGC has street-cred cool
written all over it. We want to order the white one-shoulder
cape-like mini-dress.
Huffer also produced a big show that was as
always extremely hyped-up. These guys create street wear that is
easy to wear and thus appealing to a wide market.
Most disturbing
Nom*D's fashion installation was really disturbing
- it was like looking through the window of an asylum. The
models' smeared lipstick and greasy locks, along with
the crazed movements and mad cackling, was something we will
never forget!
The music at the
Jimmy D show was horrendous. It sounded like the
soundtrack to the latest
Saw movie.
Protruding backbones from too overtly skinny models were
scary.
What we missed this year...
It all seemed a bit quieter this year, maybe due to the
recession?
We missed having a bit of glamour and controversy - bring
back Pammie! Having Pamela Anderson at Fashion Week last year gave
the event a much-needed boost of outrageous fabulousness and
tongue-in-cheek humour.
Thankfully Richie Rich's pal, US Stylist Derek Warburton, created
a bit of a stir in his crazy get-up. His most
bizarre look was a Queen's coronation robe and Frida
Kahlo hair. We loved how over the top he was!
US fashion blogger, Rumi Neeley also created a bit of drama. Rumi
wore lots of fur coats (faux we hope) and sunglasses inside: how
very fashion! Her best accessory was her cute photographer
boyfriend.
Kate Sylvester's show was sorely missed (this year she showed
exclusively at Australian Fashion Week).
Autumn/winter 2011 trends
Androgenous looks where the lines between boy and girl become
blurred, man-style tailoring
Soft, floaty draping on dresses
Cape-like ponchos with fringing and capes
A strong emphasis on the back, including laces, low backs - fashion
is bringing sexy back!
Layering looks
Big, chunky, shrunken knits
Booties and wedges are going to be everywhere
Preppy looks on the lads: shirts buttoned right up, cardigans,
school-looking blazers and rolled up pants.
We think we are all fashioned out for now, but we still can't wait
for NZ Fashion Week 2011!
XOXO Style Blog
