Winter Art Deco takes centre stage in Napier this weekend

Janine Kemp and Faye Luxton of Auckland enjoying the Opening Soiree of Winter Deco Weekend at the Lounge Bar. Photo / Duncan Brown

The Art Deco Trust's boutique winter festival opened with a bang last night, as people wrapped up in vintage coats and hats to take part in the winter celebration.

The opening soiree began in The lounge bar of the Masonic Hotel at 5.30pm, followed by the Bootleggers Ball in the Napier War Memorial Centre at 8pm.

The city was abuzz, with Napier's streets lined with cars and women in vintage dresses and feathered headbands linking arms as they braced against the chilly evening.

A man dressed in a top hat and coat beamed as he strolled into The Masonic to join others sipping wine and gin and tonics.

The Art Deco fiesta may be different from the summer event but it hasn't stopped people travelling from throughout the nation to attend.

This year's programme also features a radio play, dinner and film and jazz performances.
Art Deco Trust Festival director Glen Pickering said ticket sales for this year's event had been wonderful, with some events selling out.

"It's fantastic — the programme has just the right mix of new events with the return of some of winter classics," he said.

Winter Deco Weekend offers a varied programme of events across three days with dinners, brunches, heritage talks and plenty of cocktails and bubbles to celebrate.
The celebration is a chance for locals and visitors to have an intimate Art Deco experience.

A couple of free events are available for the public in town, including Fashion Flaunt today from 1pm to 2pm on Market St.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring the family down to see the vibrant fashion.
The calm weather last night was an added bonus, as wild weather halted some events last year.

Due to flooding and high river levels, KiwiRail closed the lines between Woodville and Takapau, meaning the vintage railcar destined for last year's event was not able to make the journey to Napier.

It is the 15th year Winter Deco Weekend has been held, since its introduction in 2003.