Showroom22 Salon Show

Well, it could not have been a more incongruous day for a summer showing, with Auckland putting on its best stormy cold weather just for us, at the Showroom 22 Spring/Summer 2010/11 Salon Show on Thursday 20 May…

Showroom 22 Spring/Summer 2010/11 collections.

Well, it couldn’t have been a more incongruous day for a ‘summer’ showing, with Auckland putting on its best stormy cold weather just for us. We all staggered through the door, covered head to toe in the trappings of winter: coats, scarves, and boots – the works. Then we all got to sit down and have a look at the best that the summer has to offer for this coming summer, with some of Auckland’s fashion-fabulous present, including a very pregnant Carly Flynn, and Keisha Castle-Hughes, who happily posed with her brother who had come to keep her company.

So for a short while, we all got to think about sun, being truly warm, and having our legs happily exposed to the elements again. The designers showing today were Juliette Hogan, Karen Walker Eyewear and Jewellery, Salasai, Sera Lilly, Sherie Muijs, twenty-seven names, Charmaine Reveley, Fabric, Gibson, Glassons, adidas Originals, adidas by Stella McCartney, Beth Ellery, Camille Howie, Bettina Liano, Fabric, Ingrid Starnes, Kathryn Wilson, Ksubi Eyewear and Optical, and Le Specs.

There were lots of dresses, particularly in cream (twenty-seven names) with a few stripes thrown in (Sherie Muijs). Surprisingly, not a lot of black. But then it is a summer collection! Juliette Hogan’s Faith Dress with its cape-like pleated arms is a stunner; elegance in oyster silk.

We liked the men’s clothing, with Salasai producing what are surely the best casual pants for men. Both the ‘reckless pant’, and the ‘baggies’ were fabulous. Below: Jeremy wearing Salasai Beige Reckless Pant, Black Hole In One Tee.

GIBSON is three designers from Melbourne who have produced a tight collection true to their mission of producing "super smart, slim-fit for young men, with supreme attention to detail". Loved the ‘painted jacket’, which was as the name suggests, a white painted, beautifully tailored jacket. Nice to see such gorgeous tailoring, with a twist.

Ingrid Starnes shared the standout dress of the day with twenty-seven names. The Ingrid Starnes ‘chiffon diamond dress’ was a floor length cream silk number with a grey silk cutout detail on the front. And the twenty-seven names ‘wedding album dress’ A-line cream lace dress was perfect vintage-inspired simplicity. We also like Ingrid Starnes underwear, floral knickers and bustier in nude and navy floral.

The standout collection for me was Salasai. Neville Finlay once remarked to me that Salasai was a label to watch – and it most certainly is. A simple palette of black, white, and navy, for both men and women. The ‘nude knot dress, ‘multi knot skirt’, and ‘multi nude blouse’ were glorious. Below: Avril wearing Salasai Nude Knot Dress. I loved the ‘lace me up’ dress in knitted black leather. Perfect NZ deconstruction – done so well.

Sera Lilly is taking a bold step into 70’s inspired loungewear – and we loved every fabric she sent down the runway. Long flowing gowns, kaftan-inspired dresses, trenches and pants. Loved every playful bit of it. Fashion that doesn’t take itself too seriously! Below: Victoria wearing Sera Lilly Chenzira Jacket, Babafemi Pants.

Charmaine Reveley’s custom made printed fabrics are a strong starting point for her simple and sexy designs. New to Showroom 22 for winter 2010, she is definitely one to watch.

As always, Kathryn Wilson’s shoes were on show – we LOVED the Frith Heel – in a multitude of colour ways. A perfect suede wedge, which looked comfortable and fabulous – a perfect combination!

By Anya Brighouse, 20 May 2010.

Below: Ella wearing Twenty-Seven Names Wedding Album Dress, Samantha wearing Bettina Liano Lace Corset Dress, Alexia Lace Dress, Kathryn Wilson St Clair Wedge, Jordan wearing Juliette Hogan Riding Jacket (Tweed), Jimmy Skirt (Tweed), Belinda Shirt (pale pink), Leilani wearing Sherie Muijs Drawcord Shirt (ink), Pully Skirt (Ink/Black) & Basic Camisole (Black), and Strachan wearing Gibson Date Night Jacket, Juliet Pant & Get Belted Belt.