Day two of Wellington Fashion Week started for me in store at taylor boutique, for the exclusive launch of their Merino Week capsule collection. I had been really looking forward to this event and collection; off-site venues are an exciting prospect this week plus it’s no secret that taylor is one of my favourite New Zealand labels – and the atmosphere instore was buzzing. Corks were popping, and the air of celebration and excitement was in every corner. It was a very happy room indeed. It was definitely the right weather for merino too – a cold, wet, quintessential Wellington Winter night.
Walking up the steps into the Old Bank Building on Customhouse Quay, the lights from taylor were shining brightly out into the dark night. To my left, outside the boutique was a table beautifully set out with champagne and canapes (thank you Canapé Company!) and Vicki Taylor herself welcoming guests to the evening.
Straight ahead through the doors on the internal staircase was a live model installation, with each of the models from Kirsty Bunny Management giving the distinct impression that they had just stepped off the pages of the taylor lookbook.
The gorgeous Smashbox Pro Team were also in store for the evening, coming together from all over New Zealand specifically for this taylor event. While keeping the models and taylor team looking stunning, the Smashbox team also settled into doing makeup touchups for those attending the launch which was a super appreciated touch, as many of us were going on to other events, and weather in Wellington being what it is this week (not Fashion Week friendly!), many of us had our faces pretty much washed off by rain on the way in.
The merino collection was stunning, and irresistible. In fact, I’d almost be tempted to wager that if there were any pieces of the collection left in store after the doors closed tonight, I’d eat one of the models’ hats. The range of pieces was beautiful – from fine merino to lace-like knits. There were open knits, chunky knits, knits teamed with leather, and soft draping shapes through to structured jacket and coat pieces. Classic taylor pieces were launched in new colours, much to the excitement of quite a few, and of course, there were a number of totally new designs. There were plenty of taylor’s colours for this season too from delta blue through a range of berry tones, as well as classic neutrals and black.
It was also a wonderful opportunity for me to meet designer Vicki Taylor after years of loving and living in her designs, and it was great to see Laura, Operations Manager for taylor now based in Newmarket, but previously the store manager in Wellington, back on home turf for the night.
There was a lot of laughter and bonding over collections, mutual admiration of finds, and some (dignified) scrambling to find pieces that others were spotted styling. Team taylor were circulating seamlessly, watching everything and ensuring that anything you were looking for was found.
I’d barely stepped in the door and my camera and notebook were back in my bag and I was trying on a fabulous ivory venetian cowl, sharing space with two other gorgeous women doing the same, working out different ways to wear it. My husband hardly raised an eyebrow when I arrived home, taylor bag in hand and a sheepish expression on my face. He expected no less.
Words and photos, Simonne Warmsley
10th April 2014
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