Girls go glam and boys are polished for their publicity campaign, highlighting their journalistic prowess and winning good looks. Annemarie Quill reports
You may have seen the adverts on buses, around town and in the paper.
When we heard the Bay of Plenty Times digital team was planning a promotional publicity campaign, indulge jumped at the chance to go behind the scenes of the photo shoot.
With three female journalists and three male photographers, local fashion powerhouses Wendy's Boutique and Barkers' Menswear stepped in to dress the team.
Wendy's Boutique
To dress the team, Wendy's stylists used the same skills that they use with clients, says Wendy's fashion buyer Kylie Torr.
"We try to get a quick overview of the customer by asking questions about their lifestyle, the occasion or whether they need a formal or casual look. We also take into account their age, height and colouring. We determine what are the customers' best features and work to emphasise this part of their body."
As with customers, the stylists put together a look from head to toe.
"We work on variations using accessories and footwear to dress up or dress down the look we have created. This way they have versatile pieces for their wardrobe that give them lots of different looks and ideas to inspire them."
This was the case for Rebecca Savory who chose a striped top and black skinny pants. The look could be dressed up for evening with high Kathryn Wilson black strappy sandals, but for the shoot we went for a more funky daytime look by adding a box jacket and chunky white platform slides.
Kiri Gillespie is more of a dress girl so gravitated towards the spring dresses. With her dark hair, Kiri could pull off bright florals. The dress would work well for a formal event with light shoes, but for the shoot, a black jacket and black Kathryn Wilson heels made for a more corporate, but still style-y look.
Anita Moran preferred jeans-a dark denim in a skinny style paired with cream heels and a textured chiffon top made this a professional and chic day time look. As always, accessories lift a look and the stylists played with various necklaces and bangles for Anita's look until they nailed the right combination.
Kylie Torr says that the stylists, dubbed the Wendy's Wardrobe Angels, offer several different services. "We offer an in-store colour consultation where you will enjoy high tea with one of our stylists while they determine what your best colours are - those that when worn against your face instantly give your face a lift and make it glow with vibrancy.
"Our one-on-one in-home consultation is more in-depth and covers a colour consultation; a body analysis and how to flatter your body shape; how to dress with the correct scale and proportion to help you look your best; how to match your style to your personality so your wardrobe becomes an expression of yourself; and finally how to make sure your wardrobe is looking current and on trend."
Wendy's team top trend predictions for spring/summer 14/15 are:
1. Distressed jeans
2. Sparkle as daywear
3. Sandshoes worn with everything
4. Shirts and sweaters layered-this trend moves through to winter also
5. Sports mesh splicing
To book an appointment with the team at Wendy's or to enquire further about their instore styling services, call (07) 578 2867.
The girls wear:
Kiri Gillespie: Moss & Spy Florentine Dress, $495.00, Miss Wilson Chloe Heel, $269, the jacket is from her own wardrobe
Rebecca Savory: Cooper by Trelise Peppermint Tee, $199; Click Concepts Milla Lace Up Wedge, $219; Loobies Story Karma Jacket, $299; Koral High rise skinny jean, $269.95; Najo Wrapture Bracelet, $119
Anita Moran: Wendys Heart Necklace, $59; Trelise Cooper Boardroom 'My heart frill go on' top, $249; Koral High Rise Skinny Jean, 8 months wash, $339; Miss Wilson Chloe Heel, $269
Barkers' Menswear
The first rule in dressing men, says Barkers' Tauranga manager Ginel Holloway, is to understand the dress code for the event they are dressing for.
The brief for the men in our digital team was "professional and smart", but since they are photographers and out and about on the road in all weathers and circumstances, suits would not be appropriate. Ginel therefore devised a head-to-toe look that would be stylish and professional but also flexible and comfortable-our guys can end up in all sorts of unusual positions in their quest for the perfect shot.
"Once we know the dress code we can create outfits appropriate to it and also suggest options the customer may not have thought about. For example, smart casual is not always just a collared shirt and jeans. If you add one of our summer cotton blazers over the top then the outfit is lifted to another level while still maintaining a casual feel. You can always ditch the blazer after arrival. The main outcome is to make sure the customer is comfortable in what they are wearing while still looking great."
Ginel says that there are some events that the dress code cannot be determined in advance, and therefore, as for the girls on the team, the aim was for a look that was flexible. "Consider wearing clothing that can be dressed up or down. "If overdressed in a suit and tie, the ensemble is easily converted to semi-formal with the removal of the tie and opening of the shirt for a more casual look."
Barkers' fashion team's top trend predictions for spring/summer 2014/15:
1. Printed everything, prints are everywhere - long sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts,shorts and T-shirts. All over prints, from small ditzy florals to bold Hawaiian prints with polka dots and paisleys. Prints are by far the stand-out trend for the season.
2. The preppy style is again driving a lot of the fashion this season. The blazer is still strong and paired with everything: dress pants, jeans, chinos, chino shorts. Bow ties are making a resurgence too. Anything goes, from flower print cottons to textured wools.
3. Summer suiting-lightly structured cotton pants or shorts suits.
4. Shoes-Jandals are normally the summer staple but shoes are making a comeback to go with the smarter looks for summer. Double buckle Monk shoes will be seen along with more casual leather sneakers.
5. Ankles-everyone will be wearing their pants a little shorter this season. Rolled trouser legs or professionally tailored to be shorter. Showing off your shoes and socks/bare ankles.
The boys wear . . .
George Novak: Sayers Check Shirt, $119.99; Essential Crew, Green $29.99 (two for $40); Valerio Coloured Denim $129.99 (taupe ); Parisian Vintage Belt $69.99; Rangatira Suede Boot (Navy) $229.99.
Andrew Warner: Corby Print Shirt, $119.99; Valerio Coloured Denim, $129.99 (black ); Rangatira Suede Boot (grey).
John Borren: Beagle Print Shirt, $119.99; Travino Merino Vee, $129.99; The Lufkin Straight Jean, $129.99.