Kaftan Cooper

Everyone was out in their glam Trelise best with lots of gorgeous little coloured silk shifts and sequined dresses at Trelise Cooper’s 2012 Summer Collection launch and the vile weather had everyone throwing a lot of furs on, both faux and real…

The showroom of Mercedes Coutts in Newmarket was again transformed into a catwalk for Trelise’s 2012 Summer Collection launch with proceeds of the $75 tickets going as usual to the Breast Cancer Research Trust.

Everyone was out in their glam Trelise best with lots of gorgeous little coloured silk shifts and sequined dresses. There weren’t as many as usual as the vile weather had everyone throwing coats over the top – so we saw a lot of furs, both faux and real.

The MC for the evening was again the impeccable Carol Hirschfeld in a stunning jade silk kaftan detailed with sequins as only Trelise can do. To start things off she briefly interviewed Trelise, asking what her what her inspirations were.

After trips to both Morocco and Cabo, Mexico this past year, both destinations played their part in the- as always- large collection. Trelise mentioned the palazzo pant is the item to have for the coming season.

The collection itself started off in a subdued manner (for Trelise) with warm caramel and mocha printed silks with fringe detailing. Pretty animal print dresses followed. We loved everything that came down the runway in the oversized cream lace fabric – little tops and gorgeous dresses.

There was also a figure hugging shift in the same lace, but black with a nude lining – definitely sassy.

As always her 50’s inspired dresses which seem to appear time and again, are always beautiful – and one design came down in 3 different fabrics (we liked the pale blue in particular) – all looking quite different with some belted, and others with petticoats.

Peace, sister.

We loved the white silk with the butterfly and flower print, which was made up into dresses, kaftans and shifts.

Flower power.

The simplest summer shift was in stretch jersey knit with a bold stripe – gorgeous.

But the show finished with what we would still see as Trelise’s signature look, which is bold jewel coloured, silk dresses. Some of them where printed and embellished, other covered in a sequin print. Others liberally splashed with sequins. The two things to look out for this summer are kaftans and palazzo pants…on a dark wintery night – they were a definite splash of summer.

And a last little note about the styling – we all agreed that is was superb. All the models had slicked back hair that sparkled, with a messy, deconstructed ponytail.

Bettjemans as always were in charge of the hair, and MAC, the makeup. A perfect combination all round.

Below: Trelise Cooper flanked by models in sequins from SS11/12.

Carol Hirschfeld.

Russian Standard vodka girl.

Galina from Russia.

Rachel King and Anya Brighouse.

Jackie O’Fee; fashion stylist, Janelle Rennie of Pandora, Julie Roulston of Ponsonby News and Jackie’s sister, Lisa.

Watching the show: Kylie Cooke; stylist for New Zealand’s Next Top Model, fashion photographer Olivia Hemus, Beat PR’s Rebecca Lawson, and NZNTM judge Colin Mathura-Jeffree.

By Anya Brighouse 6 July 2011.
Photography by Megan Robinson using Casio EXH30BK.