New Zealand Fashion Week Day 3

On Site Report by Clif Loftin

twenty-seven names
The Fearsome Five – twenty-seven names’ show at New Zealand Fashion Week was a flashback to the school days when uniforms classified us, and music and TV defined us. An ode to all high-schoolers, the collection draws on the years where the need to resist definition – and the relief at being able to fade into oblivion – were all we thought about.

Uniform blazers, worn by day to create a sense of easy conformity, stood in stark contrast to the manic need for identity outside the halls of high school. Children of the 90’s, twenty-seven names have embraced the iconic styles of their youth; the florals, velevets, and polka dots that gave a girl the power to claim a place in the world. I loved the music selection for the show -- Jimi Hendrix music opening the show set the mood for the shrunken school blazers, prairie dresses, and the horizontally pleated bodices on chiffon dresses. I also liked the utility style capes and coats in heavy wool flannel. The obvious high school reference was 1960’s style school pinafore and shirt, topped with a black blazer with white trim.

The show was timeless and smart with exacting direction. I think twenty-seven names is brand that will have longevity and success.

NICOLE MILLER

I loved this show. It was understated chic at its best. Nicole never disappoints and this show was no exception, the collection was stunning.

Miller also showed a collection that fit in well with New Zealand fashion. Some of my favorites were the black cocktail and maxi dresses with bondage detailing across the back. Nicole Miller is genius when it comes to designing cocktail dresses. There was a foundation of simplicity to all the designs, however, it was the exquisite detailing that topped it all off – the beautiful jewelled embellishments, the amazing necklaces, and the shredded knits with sparkling accents, black sequins and everyone loved the skull motifs. The grey cashmere sweaters with the long sheer skirts were divine. One of the stand out looks for me was the oversized knee length wool hooded poncho.

Whether Nicole is showing in America or all the way around the world in New Zealand, Nicole Miller is one of those designers that just always gets it right – she is consistent, yet she is always evolving, and always inspiring.

(Nicole Miller Backstage)

MICHELLE YVETTE
Michelle Yvette told me that her inspiration for the collection was, “the women of Alfred Hitchcock’s films – feminine and seductive, yet smart.” The collection certainly had that 1950’s silver screen feel. I felt that I was magically transported to that time and era, where glamour still reigned supreme. Michelle’s choice of color was brilliant, and the use of bright orange was fantastic. Gorgeous floral dresses with over-the-top hats. I loved the ruffled lace hot pants, the leopard print shift dress, and the sexy fitted blazers. The models performed the role they were cast to play perfectly – wrapped in pearls with ruby red lips. It was a very memorable show and at the top of the list of all the shows that I saw this week. Even though I was transported to a time long ago, overall the collection was very modern and fresh – and most of all – vibrant with color.

STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS CLUB

Last night, as our caravan of Audi cars pulled up to the Mercury Theatre in Auckland I knew I was in for a great experience – the lines of people wrapped completely around the theatre in both directions -- you could feel the anticipation in the night's cold air.

We made our way to our front row seats in the grand theater -- the show started with a lot of dramatics and super high energy. It was a very complex and cohesive collection with both the men’s and women’s wear intertwined impressively. The signature print for the collection was purple hydrangea with 70’s retro elements – tall necklines, bell-bottoms, red leather and some ruffled trims. The finale for the show was a wedding between two of the hot models – the couple threw the wedding bouquet into the crowd as confetti cannons exploded showering the giant space and the audience. Fashion drama at its best…….

(Clif Loftin, Tommy Bates, Samantha Hayes)