Glitz, big shoulders - it's an 80s revival

If you want to think big, think Joan Collins. Photo / AP

Big shoulders, lace and bold, bright colours are among the hot styles for summer, say top Kiwi designers showing at Fashion Week this week.

While we laughed at the time, the look modelled by the likes of Joan Collins in glitzy soap Dynasty is right on trend.

And designers are warning fashionistas to brace themselves for luxury, bling and big blooms on frocks as the 80s revival intensifies.

Although Fashion Week showcases autumn/winter 2010 collections, some of New Zealand's top designers were happy to reveal the five top looks for summer.

Cybele Wiren, whose label Cybele hosts the week's first runway show on Tuesday, says women should combine beautiful nudes with bold colours.

For nudes, read flesh-coloured clothes. Wiren reckons the ultimate mix would be champagne nude with electric blue, hot orange or purple.

The dress is another good look, and Wiren says the ones to go for boast a soft, draping silhouette style - or a structured fit with bold shoulders, brought in at the waist.

Kate Sylvester loves her vivid blue Jane dress made of Christo fabric, with a blousey top and highly elasticated skirt.

Sera Lilly is also big on dresses, and says "nudes and pale colours are big - or beautiful prints".

Lilly also says summer should be full of lace and the tiered look, without breaking the bank: "People want the luxury look without the high price tag."

Stolen Girlfriends Club director Marc Moore says strong shoulders are super cool and wardrobes should burst with sexy, fitted dresses with a nod to the 80s - "think Robert Palmer music videos".

Asked how we could go back to the future, Moore said: "For a lot of young people it's not going back for them. They think it's cool, rad."

Huffer's Steve Dunstan recommends rolled-up denim jeans worn with slightly over-sized and loose tops in "comfortable" fabrics for women.

Men should go for slightly above-the-knee shorts in interesting textured fabrics.

"Men should aim for a cleaner and tidier look - not preppy, maybe a touch back from preppy. Men should be slightly more sophisticated."

Fashion writer Stacy Gregg says longer term people should forget luxury and look at "destruction". Think Californian label Rodarte, whose sand-blasted and ripped fabrics are "a fresh look".