New Zealand Eco Fashion Exposed is a four day event demonstrating that industry waste and thrift-store finds can still make for stylish, wearable fashion. The launch event saw eleven local and international designers present capsule collections that showcased ethical, sustainable practice across womenswear, menswear, underwear and couture. All models wore make-up by SANTE, an ethical and all-natural beauty brand.
Pictured above: Denise H, Melanie Child, Senorita AweSUMO, Dane Dagger, and heke design.
The absolute star of the show was Amelia Boland’s collection. The young Wellington designer, originally from Nelson, showed a small selection of clean and simple pieces.
A gorgeous crisp white shift dress in heavy cotton canvas by Amelia Boland was paired with a bucket hat and chunky knit – my notes say ‘so Jordan Baker’. Amelia was the winner of the Wellington Fashion Week Light Leather Award, and her luxurious leather handbags show she truly deserved that prize.
Founder Denise Anglesey’s two ranges, made entirely of waste fabrics, featured flared skirts and striking headpieces. Denise sees upcycling as a design solution to minimise waste.
Below: Denise H
Like Denise, Dunedin designer Melanie Child tries to avoid using new materials wherever possible. She showed an architectural motorcycle-style jacket, which, when I looked closely, I realised was made from a reworked blazer. When working with existing clothing items there’s a risk you’ll end up with something that looks like a school sewing project, but Child’s dark, sculptural aesthetic is anything but amateur.
Below: Melanie Child
Merino Basewear, based in Ngaruawahia, manufacture functional, well-made undergarments and basics (think comfy boylegs and ballet shrugs) from 96% superfine merino wool that has been knitted and dyed in New Zealand.
Below: Merino Basewear
Also showcasing their wool offering was Stansborough, the internationally recognised company who are best known for their costume work on a number of blockbuster films. Stansborough’s finely woven textiles wouldn’t go amiss draped across an armchair, or the end of my bed, or anywhere that lightweight heritage wool belongs. This was their first time presenting a runway collection – which they showed, incidentally, on two very snuggly-looking young men.
Below: Stansborough menswear
David Roil’s collection, HANDSEWN, added some excitement to the evening with a range of menswear inspired by the ‘muscular gorgeousness of the male silhouette’. His models bore swords and daggers, and were dressed in structured jackets with theatrical shoulderpieces. A welcome touch of fantasy and adventure (pictured below.)
Below: Dane Dagger’s capsule collection ‘Stolen Champagne’ showed that net curtains truly can be transformed into something luxurious. His high fashion streetwear combined lace, velvet and hard-edged leather accents.
New Zealand Eco Fashion Exposed continues with a runway and styling tips event on Friday 25 July, and the Dulux Eco Designer runway show on Saturday 26 July, both at the Notre Dame Des Missions Performing Arts Centre, Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt. You can visit the Exposed Eco Pop Up Shop and Expo at 151 High Street, Lower Hutt on Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm, to purchase exclusive items and meet the designers from the runway.
All photography by Georgia Rose thevelvettes.blogspot.co.nz
By Morgan Ashworth hyacinthgirl.com pictured below, photo by Georgia Rose on location at NZ Eco Fashion exposed for Thread.
24th July 2014
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