Kirrily Johnston: Aussie raids NZ
After New Zealand's sports stars staged winning raids in Australia over the weekend thanks to the All Blacks and Warriors, it was the turn of the Aussie comeback courtesy of designer Kirrily Johnston.
Her "Black Perfume" collection for Autumn/Winter 09 on day one of Air New Zealand Fashion Week was the first ever showing by an Australian designer at the Auckland event.
Flowing freeform designs in burnt orange, black, cream, gold and stripes hit the catwalk at Shed Two in front of a packed out audience.
Chunky necklaces from Sydney jeweller Sylvie Markovina and knee-high leather boots complemented the soft tailoring of Johnston's designs.
Johnston stated her inspiration comes from the "underground opium dens of Paris and Shanghai in the early 1900s".
"These secret hideaways' inspired the likes of Baudelaire, Thomas De Quincy and Edgar Allen Poe to name but a few. 'Black Perfume'... captures the look and feel of the new collection," added Johnston.
The Sydneysider received a warm, polite response from the Kiwi audience for her wearable collection and it is unlikely to be her first visit across the pond.
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.
