Fashion: Rich pickings

Photos / Greg Bowker

The look of luxe gets a modern and nonchalant update this season.

Just relax. It's a mantra that applies to this season's preference for languid, relaxed separates that work in any situation - and for those who prefer to avoid over-the-top extravagance and embellishment (another key mood for the season, thanks mostly to Gucci's very Italian approach to nostalgic luxury) there are several key pieces that needn't be too overwhelming.

Fabrics with a metallic Midas touch and rich jewel tones offer up plenty of inspiration here, vivid green being a particular highlight across several winter collections including Taylor and Penny Sage.

For something special, you can't look past the silk blend blouses by local emerging designer Mahsa by Mahsa Willis. The designer's debut collection is a well-edited range of pieces that touch on renaissance details, from billowing blouses to gold-flecked linen pant suits - a subtle nod to that luxe look that can be worn not just for a special occasion, but every day of the week.

Gucci's gold pleated skirt from the pre-fall collection has become a cult item worn particularly well by a new generation of Gucci street-style fans, teaming it with denim jackets of skater hoodies. It's a very millennial approach to modern-day luxury that's versatile and plays down the chintz in the process.

Close to home, Ruby have highlighted a gold pleated skirt that ties easily at the waist and works just as well with a prim blouse as it does with a soft white T-shirt and a pair of trainers.

But so much of modern luxury is just that - an insouciant attitude to dressing that does away with protocol and fanfare. So unbutton an extra button on a silk shirt or let a jewel-tone dress fall freely, sans belt; this is just as much about the attitude as it is about the actual garment.

Mahsa blouse $348. Ruby pleated skirt $269. Seed Heritage lace-up brogues $169.90. Jessica Aggrey earrings $215, green quartz cocktail ring $255 and smoky quartz cocktail ring $255 and 18-carat gold stacker rings $115 (set of seven). Karen Walker Jewellery cocktail ring $2529. Citta Design bistro chair $249.

Taylor pleated dress $497. Seed Heritage pants $159.90. Mark Reigelman sunglasses, $339, from Good As Gold. Mi Piaci ankle boots $280.

Ruby dress $399. Miss Wilson belt $69. Mi Piaci ankle boots $330. Mimco earrings $99.90.

Shanton shirt $50. Gregory top $249 and pleated skirt $399. Mi Piaci flats $250. Ruby earrings $39.

Deadly Ponies coat $5625 (made to order) and fur stole $320. Seed Heritage pants $159.90 and lace-up brogues $169.90. Jessica Aggrey Jewellery green quartz cocktail ring $255 and smoky quartz cocktail ring $255. Karen Walker Jewellery cocktail ring $2529.

STOCKISTS:

• Citta Design (09) 376 6544
• Deadly Ponies (09) 376 3469
• Good As Gold (09) 376 4653
• Gregory (09) 378 8645
• Jessica Aggrey Jewellery
• Karen Walker (09) 309 6299
• Mahsa
• Mimco (09) 523 2412
• Mi Piaci
• Miss Wilson (09) 367 6865
• Ruby (09) 378 8645
• Seed Heritage (09) 376 3850
• Shanton (09) 630 7154
• Taylor (09) 376 6544

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