Expert Eye: Nom*D

A model wears a creation by Nom*D. Photo / Getty Images

Like the sister act label Zambesi which showed at the same venue last night, Nom*D's Margi Robertson knows how to play to her strengths after a long and distinguished career as the darkhorse from Dunedin.

Her Turncoats show this morning was an illustration of how to make audio-visual work.

In fact, the film projected at Sky City Theatre was the main event rather than a backdrop and illustrated the ethos of the label so well that when the models eventually emerged in the clothes we'd seen on screen it was a fitting epilogue, rather than a full-on parade.

The film charted a progression from innocence to adolescent awareness, with director Kirsty Cameron depicting some of our moodiest models clad first in virginal white. One innocently stroked a rabbit, another toyed with drawing fishnet tights on her legs with felt pen, another had her hair chopped as their nascent sexuality led them into darker territory wearing grungy black.

From grimy concrete tunnels, they emerged into a foreboding forest to wander feral-like.

These fey creatures played dress-up with red and blue garb before one of the wild-child travellers came full circle in her billowing white gown to finally be refreshed at the sea's edge.

Applause followed before the same girls walked amidst the audience in the distressed, reworked vintage pieces Nom*D is known for.

A purple tie-dyed velvet dress was like a beacon beyond black.