New Zealand fashion and lifestyle blog

Ketz-Ke goes off with a bang!

New Zealand label Ketz-ke released their summer 2010/11 collection showcasing the latest of their wearable, street-smart looks on Thursday 10th of June with a runway show entitled ‘Dynamite’ at White Studios in Newton, Auckland..

New Zealand label Ketz-ke released their summer 2010/11 collection showcasing the latest of their wearable, street-smart looks on Thursday 10th of June with a runway show entitled ‘Dynamite’ at White Studios in Newton, Auckland.

And we were treated to a dynamic runway show, literally, starting with a mysterious man in protective overalls and safety glasses activating boxes of dry ice in a theatrical introduction, opening the runway show for models walking along a red carpet lined with safety cones and Caution tape.

The collection was inspired by dynamite as it pulls together oppositional trends, according to designer Jenny Drury. "It’s all about unexpected pairings. We love to mix garden florals with bow t-shirts from the forties with lace from the eighties and timeless classics like nautical stripes" she says.

Models were styled with ‘exploded’ hair backcombed and teased into bouffant looks, and wore safety goggles on their heads carrying on the theme.

Ketz-ke’s summer range is light, and youthful; shades of sorbet and aqua punctuate the overall graphics, prints and stripes, with soft floral shorts and lacy tank tops providing added depth.

Below: the pale blue Fuse Dress.

Although it’s hard to imagine today when the weather will be warm enough to embrace the ‘Dynamite’ look, the casual, slouchy shirts and satin pants seem to promise that this year, a summer evening outfit could be graceful, yet comfortable.

Below: Thermo Tank under Armour top.

Below: Dismantle Top in green and FBI Pant.

Some personal favourite looks included the ‘Wick Shirt’ (a light satiny top with black flocking down the centre), the droopy yet flattering ‘FBI pants’, and the ‘Fusion Tee’, a wee lacy treat in flesh tones.

As well as an exhaustive repertoire of outfit essentials and little frocks, Ketz-ke’s accessories are not to be overlooked; necklaces, bracelets and cuffs echoed the seasons blend of nautical, street-tough, denim and lace, while your bag options are covered with everything from clutches to the classic but relaxed summer ‘oxide bag’.

Below: Our favourite model, wearing the Stripe Boat Neck and LPG Skirt.

Below: Here she is again wearing the the little black dress known as the Radiation Dress.

Guests at the show were as well dressed as the models, from the gaggle of former Silver Ferns come to show their support to the famous Shorty-Street faces, showing that Ketz-ke’s relaxed appeal is broad and well-received, not to mention a little ‘explosive’.

Julz Roulston, Rachel Osborne and Helene Ravlich.

Urbis magazine’s Anah Jordan and Nicole Stock.

Ketze-Ke designers flanked by models wearing SS10.

Ketz-Ke designer Brenda, with partner, Matt.

Helene Ravlich and Sable & Minx designer Theresa Brady wearing Sable & Minx SS10.

Angela Bloomfield and Shortland Street co-star Beth Allen.

The models backstage.

Ketz-ke has been slightly under the fashion radar of many for too long; it is a fun, street-wise and directionable label that has a surprisingly full stable of products. Not only do they do fashion, but handbags, and jewellery to boot. How many labels do all that?

Their adherence to a theme was compelling; they even went to considerable effort in producing a printed twelve page newspaper, something we’ve seen no other NZ label do except Moochi. Even the yellow warning tape-covered goody bag for guests was dynamite themed, with Red Bull, a Ketz-ke mesh bead necklace from the SS10 range, a Parnell MediSpa voucher, FUDGE Dynamite (ha!) Flowerbomb perfume sample (ha ha!) and Bella Vi mineral eyeshadow, as well as our choice of long-sleeved top from the summer range. Garment names mirrored the explosive theme: fuse, wick, radiation and bullet proof. Amazing attention to detail.

Whilst Ketz-ke doesn’t have the high profile of its own retail stores, it is at stockists in NZ, Australia, USA and China, including Wallis, Northbeach, Texas Radio, Route 66, and Farrys. See www.ketz-ke.com for details.

Words and photos by Rachel Osborne and Megan Robinson, 10 June 2010.


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