Highlights of New Zealand Fashion Week

Fashion Week has been and gone. Here are some of the highlights that stood out:

M.A.C Official Opening Party
Fashion Week was kicked off in style with the exclusive Mac & Moet launch party. Guests were treated to free flowing Moet, delicious nibbles by Mint kitchen catering and an intricate display of M.A.C body painted models. The perfectly stylish event saw the crème de la crème of New Zealand’s fashionistas, designers, VIP’s and celebrities come together to celebrate the launch of NZ Fashion Week 2011.

MisteR
Christchurch label, MisteR was easily one of the biggest highlights of the week garnering praise for their quirky designs and impeccable show execution. From the styling to the music to models, everything about MisteR’s show was brilliant and I wasn't the only one who thought so, designers Mickey Lin and Ra Thompson received a rare standing ovation. The label best known for their fun suiting designs, delivered a show that was full of character, colour, tartan and gingerbread men.

The launch of Liam
The RUBY team showed not one but two collections at their show this year, launching their friend Liam, the newest addition to the New Zealand creative and fashion community. Designed by Emily Miller-Sharma, the womenswear brand possesses the spirit of RUBY with a soft sophistication. She is playful and strong, distinctly modern with classic touches - Liam is intrigued by the creativity and stories behind women and what they choose to wear. Tailoring with relaxed silhouettes forming the backbone of the collection, with soft and feminine fabrics including silks, wool suiting and a stand out jacquard foral. A subtle palette of gold, navy, khaki and grey is contrasted against pops of colour and bold foral prints.

Show Styling
Any fashion week designer will tell you it takes more than just great clothes to make a memorable show, ambience is key to deliver the brand’s aesthetic. Two designers that hit the nail on the head for especially good styling were Blak Luxe and Celine Rita.

Topping off Blak Luxe’s wool and crochet knitwear, rich fur, sumptuous velvet, leather and lace designs were twig crowns made by Jarrad Godman and Matt Templeton which perfectly complimented the heart pounding sound track of hauntingly whimsical tunes from Patrick Wolf, Niki & the Dove, Lana del Ray and Bjork.

Celine Rita’s debut solo show took styling inspiration from empowered Nineties Supermodels (think Cindy, Linda and Kate). The collection captured the quirky curiosity of the 1990’s whilst evoking Celine Rita’s effortlessly playful and feminine charm, topped off with arguably one of the best songs to come out of the Nineties, Regurgitator’s Polyester girl.

New Gen designer: Deryn Schmidt
I’m always intrigued to see the talent that comes out of the New Gen show, a make or break for emerging designers, it can be a challenge capturing the interest of your audience when you’re up against four other designers. However for designer, Deryn Schmidt my interest was easily garnered. Schmidts designs and styling aesthetic combined forties attributes with bright pops of colour. Garments featured lady like lengths, rich velvet fabrics and impeccable tailoring, proving she is definitely one to watch!