Stolen Girlfriends Club – Dirty Magic

A fuller-than-full house at Stolen Girlfriends Club on Wednesday night had scenesters, musicians and fashion rats of all kinds vying for coveted seats…

A fuller-than-full house at Stolen Girlfriends Club on Wednesday night had scenesters, musicians and fashion rats of all kinds vying for coveted seats (or more likely the goody bags) once the media had their places.

Red Bull HQ car park in Auckland’s Grey Lynn (across the road from last year’s show at Wall Fabrics, and half a block from their workroom – they clearly like to keep things local) was used as a giant maze-like catwalk with models crossing each other with impeccable timing at ‘intersections’. The low concrete roof added to the grungy underground atmosphere evoked by the music, garments and models alike.

Entitled Dirty Magic, the collection was a mash-up of Stevie Nicks meets pre-crack Courtney Love. The throwback to the early 90s, which seems to be a theme for Stolen ranges, was emphasized by the copious use of tartan, safety pins, pale skin and dark eyes, tassels, mohawks for the men and facial piercings. The music also played an important part in emphasizing the dark magic meets rock feel, with the likes of The Datsuns (who played an amazing set at the wild and disorderly after party) The Dead Weather, The Kills and The Horrors being played throughout.

Ancient, hand painted tarot cards and late gothic art was the designer’s inspiration for the collection and this came through in the crushed velvet and flocked paisley motifs – reminiscent of fortune teller wares.

A red paisley on school-uniform-blue print coming through in dresses and skirts, mixed in with the plaid chiffon, faux leather dresses, South-Western hats, poodle-esque fabrics and knee length Bermuda shorts for the guys, contributed to the on the mark boho-punk collection.

A gothic wedding dress ended the show, to cheers and applause from the impressed crowd.

Show Credits:
Styling Zara Mirkin
Accessories Fernando Penna
Stylist Assistants Duncan Lamont Brown & Hannah Lee Turner
Artwork Eli Lamont
Hair Greg Murrell @ Ryder Salon for KMS
Production Sarah Hough
Make-up James Molloy for M.A.C Cosmetics
Front of House Rebecca Lawson
Set Design Paris Kirby & Dominic Oldrey
Soundtrack Ben Lawson @ Red Bull Studio

By Olivia Boswell 4th September 2013
Photos Seun Shote www.seunshotephotography.com