To show its fashion vision for winter 2003, men's and women's wear label Gubb & Mackie went back in time and threw a ball, the likes of which was last seen in 1949.
Last night's charity ball, hosted by Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright at Government House, was the firstof 26 fashion shows, featuring more than 45 labels, that will make up the L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week.
More than 550 guests, including national and international buyers and media, were issued with dance cards listing the songs played by the 1932 Jazz Orchestra. Dance partners were expected to fill in the blank spaces.
In some cases, the formality of requesting dances and trying to do a half-decent foxtrot was more challenging than last year's Gubb & Mackie show on a decommissioned frigate - when guests had to walk up a steep rope gangplank in stilettos.
The firm, established in 1949, was the Navy's tailor until the 1960s.
Jonathan Duder and designer Wayne Sorensen got permission from the Gubb and Mackie families to use the name and officially launched the label at last year's Fashion Week.
Mr Sorensen said: "The idea came from Lulie Gubb, the widow of Gubb & Mackie founder Cliff Gubb, after she told us about how the Royal New Zealand Navy balls were glorious affairs, with the naval officers dressed to the nines in Gubb & Mackie 'Number 1s', dance cards, roaring 40s music, chivalry and style." .
It was a fitting setting to officially launch the 40s- and 50s-feel women's wear.
"It's about overt femininity with a Dior New Look feel at the end of the 40s and into the 50s, when there was no more rationing and a rediscovery of what it was to dress up and to celebrate clothing," he said.
Mr Sorensen celebrated with colours as varied as cerise pink, petal pink, purple ink blue and moss green. Some of the standout pieces included controlled sequined tuxedo pants, polka dot silk wrap tops and beautifully cut bias dresses.
The trade-only fashion shows continue at the Auckland Town Hall until Thursday.
The public have a chance to see this season's fashions and get a sneak preview of winter 2003 on Friday during Newmarket Fashion Friday at the Town Hall and the exhibition marquee in Aotea Square.
