Aim by Huffer
Day 2 at NZ Fashion Week 2014 began with a relaxed start with coffee and muesli yoghurt cups down at Huffer Basement in an offsite installationto reveal their new dressed-up womenwear collection, Aim.
You will of course know and love Huffer for its street wear clothing, but what do its devotees wear to go out in? What if they want to go to a wedding, or the aforementioned art gallery opening? They need a dress. Or a silky top. Or a jumpsuit with a sexy laced up back.
The question of what to wear is in fact answered with the arrival of its new womenswear label, Aim. The new label was revealed today in an installation showcasing the print campaign imagery at Huffer Basement in Auckland with a live performance by Chelsea of Watercolours.
Contemporary Salon show – Pardon My French
I absolutely loved this show. Both labels in the joint show far exceeded my expectations, and I would wear the entire ranges. First up was Lucy Kemp’s label, Pardon My French, with a beatnik-inspired collection entitled ‘The Beat Girl’. I really loved the Parisian styling with the cute berets and winged eyeliner with nude lips and that kind of French attitude stare like they don’t really care but they do know how damn good they look. I have always liked a poloneck under a dress as well as a jaunty neckerchief so I liked this styling. Fabric-wise, good to see velvet back again and even a bit of the paisley. The oversized charcoal coat was a real stand-out piece. Read more here.
All photos by Kate Ryan ryansdaughterphotography.com
Contemporary Salon Show – Lucy McIntosh
Next up was Lucy McIntosh with her eponymously-titled label’s AW15 collection, ‘Archy’. I particularly liked the sleeveless palest wool coats in Italian wool, and a stand out was the beautifully-made leather jackets – you just don’t see quality leather jackets in many labels locally and they looked fantastic. I think women who work in offices who want something a bit different and still elegant, should be all over this range like gold foil on a sheer top (yes, that’s in there, too.) It shows that she worked with Alexandra Owen after graduating her Bachelor in Design in Fashion and she cuts beautifully. You can buy her label at boutiques as well as online at lucymcintosh.co.nz The show was styled beautifully by Chris Lorimer of Ciel PR, with hair by Sara Allsop, and makeup by Samantha Holley for MAC. Read more here.
New Zealand Wedding Magazine Collection
I always love the NZ Weddings magazine show. It has children in the cutest outfits, stunning hair and makeup, and plenty of wow factor. It was the best weddings show they’ve done in years, and not over-long either, just perfect. It has to be said that I do miss Sera Lilly since she moved away from bridalwear though; sadly missed. The gorgeous children in Hera Bridal were a huge hit, and great to see blogger/model Leilani of Lani Says walking in some shows including Zimmerman and Hera Couture. The labels included A La Robe, Alma Wong, Barkers, Crane Brothers, Hera Bridal, John Zimmermann, and Vinka Design. All photos by Kate Ryan ryansdaughterphotography.com
Below: A La Robe
Below: Alma Wong
Below: Barkers
Below: Crane Brothers
Below: Hera Bridal Couture
Below: John Zimmerman
Below: Vinka Design
PIA
I didn’t actually realise this was a spring summer in-season show not a winter show, but now I recall she did that last year as well – so perhaps this could be perfect in the NZ Fashion Weekend for the public to buy it straight off the rack. It was fluid and feminine, and had a slightly sportier edge this season which was fresh and cute. I would have liked to see more of designer Pia Naera’s graphic prints that I so enjoyed a season or two back. This summer season, she did cute strawberry and watermelon prints, still on the ruffle asymetric hem dress style. The beauty was really a stand-out; with striking white eyeshadow created by Smashbox Cosmetics.
Andrea Moore
This show was quite moving. I found it quite emotional having the fabulous local singer-songwriter Ginny Blackmore take to the stage and perform at the start and finish of the show. Models wore dresses, wool coats, and a very gorgeous emerald ruffle-fronted jumpsuit was my personal pick. Photos James Yang.
Andrea Moore also showed a group of younger models in I AM, a cool diffusion line in geometric prints trousers and tops in an origami cat design.
Juliette Hogan
There’s nothing wrong with waiting for a lady – and this was the longest wait so far – and it was soon apparent why. The stage was turned on its side in theatre-style, with guests along one wall, and a black curtain along the other. The curtain pulled apart, to reveal a live band playing as models walked the long narrow space.
Garments were pared-back and elegant but with a less girly feel than in past collections. Entitled ‘Take It Or Leave It’, it is inspired by her muse going to the streets of New York and thus has a slightly more grown up and less whimsical edge to it. She has a rougher edge and a tougher attitude. Even the florals are on a black background. Tee-shirts are cut in leather, and wispy lace skirts are teamed with slouchy ribbed knits.
I loved so many pieces, but my top favourites were the maxi lace skirt, the brown floral dress with sequin flowers, and the floral jumpsuit.
Photos from backstage by James Yang www.jamesyangphotography.co.nz
Zambesi
When a label’s celebrating 35 years, you don’t mind when it’s an hour and a half late starting. Zambesi wrapped models in XXXV, the Roman numerals for 35. Blue featured strongly in the show with a strong clear cobalt as well as muted olives and it appeared on models’ blue-painted boots. A stunning, stunning show, set to Queen’s rock opera, Flash Gordon soundtrack which was also about 35 years old like the brand. Full review here.
Photos from backstage by James Yang www.jyphoto.co.nz
Megan Robinson
27th August 2014
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