It was a full house for the first ever event at the newly opened Pre-Fab hall, the off-site venue for the RUBY and liam show off-site at Wellington Fashion Week, and what a way to get things started. The hall was literally packed to the rafters with the only floor space I could see being that which the models were walking on. Photographers, as well as lining the walls, looked down on the room from the mezzanine, and models descended the stairs after emerging from the area off the mezzanine level. The show was fun to the core, playful and a stand-out event.
The rest of the world disappeared as lights dimmed and music started. Models started walking, the music loud enough to give the sensation that you could feel their footfalls as they moved through the room. With label origins in streetwear, Pre-Fab hall was a supremely cool location for this show, off Pre-Fab itself, one of my favourite Wellington hangouts for lunch, coffee, and a busy atmosphere. A concrete exterior encasing a plywood interior, the polished industrial bent of the building was a perfect backdrop to showcase two such playful, feminine collections. A large expanse of glass kept the night close, a subtle complement to the theme of each collection, and the open doors also provided a welcome cool breeze through such a huge event.
Ruby’s collection The Dreamers walked first, showing 30 looks from their Autumn/Winter 14 collection. Inspired by director Sophia Coppola’s cult classics and the melancholy sweetness that they embrace, the Ruby collection pays homage to the rebellious and free spirited youths of the 1968 student riots in Paris. Ruby was followed by older sister Liam’s Perception, which showed 20 looks.
From PJs to gowns, playsuits to blazers, shirts, pantsuits, tunics, skirts, structured pieces to softly falling fabrics, feminine prints and knitwear, every look from both collections was as exciting and as much of a treat as the next. Soft pastel shapes, were followed by stunning bright gowns, giving models an ethereal air as they moved. We saw tartan check, tie-dye, sheer, velvet and mirror detail to name a few. The collection was exciting, interesting and individual every step of the way.
In yet another perfect complement to the collections, makeup was bare and hair natural, harking back to a charming, feminine and youthful aesthetic of both labels. Hair was created by BUOY using ghd, makeup by MAC cosmetics, delish snacks by Prefab, and liquid refreshments throughout by Stolen Rum, Six Barrel Soda Co, Joiy, and Perrier.
And then there were the mint green lace-knit socks often seen peeking cheekily and playfully over the top of an ankle boot, reminding us right down to feet, of what Liam and Ruby are all about, as if we could possibly forget. Those socks made me enormously cheerful.
The look card placed on our chairs setting out each look and piece was a great touch, and no doubt has made it easier for plenty of guests this morning to find the combinations in store that they adored from the show.
Four rows of chairs within the hall created the show’s front row, dividing the room into an oval runway, the models walking clockwise through the two lanes. The venue set up created a much more intimate setting which called to mind for me late nighters sharing secrets at sleepovers, and sneaky midnight feasts.
RUBY and Liam was a show that left you knowing you’d seen a show and the air of barely-contained party was palpable. There were a few serious fashion faces on, but far and away more people were having trouble containing themselves from dancing in their seats. One guest sitting across from me completely gave it up towards the end.
The collection was simply stunning and left guests in no doubt as to the talent of the label designers. Thanks Ruby and Liam for a brilliant night.
See our backstage Polaroids here
Photography Izzie Austin
Words Simonne Walmsley
10th April 2014
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