Janetta Mackay: Silver service

Francis Hooper with models wearing their latest designs at World's recent show in Britomart. Picture / Supplied

Silver anniversaries deserve celebrating and World is doing it in style. The festivities began last week with high tea and a parade of its winter 2015 collection at The Langham.

Never ones to do things by halves, designers Denise L'Estrange Corbet, Francis Hooper and Benny Castles, have repeat performances planned throughout October to mark the label's 25th birthday.

Tempted by tailoring and tiffin? Then let Viva give you a sneak preview. We joined invited guests gathered at the hotel's Palm Court to enjoy a salon-style show.

World are known for having staged some of Auckland's most spectacular fashion shows, including the televised final of New Zealand's Next Top Model at Fashion Week a few years back, but lounging at the Langham is an altogether more intimate occasion.

L'Estrange Corbet talked about the label's early days. It was launched on "a wing and a prayer" back in 1989, she said, with no bank loan obtainable by the inexperienced but ambitious pair she and Hooper were when they opened a postage stamp-size shop in High St.

They worked seven days a week and lived with their young baby, Pebbles, in a rented flat with everything borrowed, including their bed.

Being fast learners, they didn't repeat the mistake of making a denim bikini which shrank when immersed in water.

Instead, there came a series of stand-out collections, including a collaboration of glitter suits with artist Reuben Paterson, in which World garments were acquired by the costume collections of Te Papa and Auckland Museum. Retail expansion followed, in tandem with the development of a boutique beauty business.

Castles joined the team 14 years ago and is now a director, shareholder and designer. He shares Hooper's passion for perfumery.

For 2015, the World look is a mix of its signature tailoring with individual flourishes. Monochrome pieces were particularly strong and, of course, there were show-stopping gowns.

We loved the 60s caps, the checked rabbit ear headpiece and Perspex jewellery that accessorised the looks, which can be seen up close as models wend around the tables.

• We are delighted to be giving away two tickets to the fashion-forward afternoon tea here. Or, you can purchase here.