Overland and Mi Piaci on the runway

Overland/Merchant 1948 and Mi Piaci showcased their AW14 collection on an outdoors grass runway at Miss Pings at City Works Depot…

Overland/Merchant 1948 and Mi Piaci showcased their AW14 collection on an outdoors grass runway at Miss Pings at City Works Depot to a crowd of fashion media and store managers, to see the new winter lines for men and women.

Models were from Red11 styled by Sammy Salsa Style, wearing menswear from Barkers, and womenswear from Public Library, Beat PR and Process PR. Hair and makeup was by Terese Tomlins and Julia Espinoza.

Overland is re-branding to Merchant 1948 as it sounds less outdoorsy-sports than ‘overland’, especially for the entry into the Australian market – who haven’t grown up with the Overland brand as we New Zealanders have. It draws on the brand’s heritage of founder Guglielmo Anselmi who began the shoe business in 1948 at King Country Shoes as a ‘merchant’, thus the new name, Merchant 1948. There are already 34 stores in New Zealand, and more opening in Australia this year. For more info see www.overlandfootwear.co.nz

Here are some of the new trends we saw on the catwalk. Animal print continues and gets made-over in red leopard prints. Checquerboard brings a mod 60s look to pumps. Studs have ended and the biker book with side buckles – some detachable – has arrived.

This mid-calf length ankle boot is a cool new look. Plum and berry shades are also a new season highlight.