It was just like taking my first breath of warm summer air as I took an exclusive sneak peek for indulge behind the scenes of the Fashion For Life show and auction.
It was a bustling hive of colour and creation at Salon By Design in The Strand where the dress rehearsal for Tauranga's latest fashion show was taking place last weekend.
I was hit instantly by the whirring heat of hairdryers, expressive hands dancing in the air, glittering clouds of powder-puff makeup, neatly co-ordinated rows of shoes, the compulsory cups of half-drunk coffee and, best of all, groupings of summer fashion fresh from the designers and just about to hit Bay stores.
Tauranga is in for a treat.
I was taking an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Fashion For Life charity show, which is set to take place on Thursday at Farmer Autovillage, sponsored by Bay Plastic Surgery.
All proceeds are going to worthy local charity Homes of Hope.
The show is being choreographed by local stylist Nicole Smythe, whose accolades include stints as a stylist at various fashion houses in the United Kingdom.
Nicole has run a similar event in the UK based around the Fashion for Life concept, but this is the first she is doing in Tauranga.
Key trends
If you're looking for a lease of colour after the sultry winter months, the tantalising fizziness of the sherbet palette from Augustine and also from Sass & Bide, available at Sisters Boutique, will satisfy your craving.
In light, one-shoulder dresses with a St Tropez resort feel, these zingy colours will certainly turn heads. Pair with the season's big, bold cuffs in gold or pewter and a strappy gold heel.
Block colours are still going strong this summer in jewel tones - think fruit shades of purple and peach. Turet Knuefermann at Sisters has incorporated these colours into her signature flowing, wrappy and flattering forms.
Big, bold and bright prints are here to stay for another summer season, from Augustine and Trelise Cooper stocked at Davidsons Womenswear. For more of a vintage feel with flared skirts in soft floral prints that say old-school whimsy, check out Karen Walker, also at Davidsons.
The new nautical styles are now more feminine with colourful stripes from Kate Sylvester, found at Davidsons. And the classic navy blue-and-white stripes are showing up in the season's popular one-shoulder dress design from Turet Knuefermann at Sisters.
Legs are certainly going to look long and lean with sandals (they're still wedged and chunky) in nude colours of beige and taupe - and they go with everything.
A new pair of sunglasses will set off any outfit. Though the size of frames are slightly smaller now compared with the oversized styles we've become accustomed to, the latest shades are still full of daring: think feline and fluorescent from Karen Walker and Tom Ford's signature super-sexy slickness, found at Blur Opticians.
Summer hair
Tauranga hair guru and Salon By Design owner Brett Holmes says the look he's created for the Fashion For Life show typifies casual, fun and healthy hair that moves with expression and uses less product than in previous seasons.
Even his braided up-dos are loose, worn and nurtured quietly, so that they appear totally effortless.
Summer makeup
Chrissy from Fairy Fingers is creating a makeup look in line with the simple, flirty feel of Brett's summer hair.
Using Jane Iredale makeup, skin is given a dewy, flawless look with a final sweep of bronze.
Eyeshadows are still colourful for summer and lashes should be full and luscious, with simple gloss on the lips.