If there were ever two weeks where one could suffer from Kiwi fashion exhaustion, the last two would have been it. Thankfully, I don't think that's possible (for me, at least).
On April 18, Wellington launched its first Fashion Week. By most accounts, the week-long event was a success. The few glitches on the first night (models walking too slow thus creating a very long show) were ironed out for the second and, regardless of that, the clothes were fantastic.
Because we haven't had a summer, I enjoyed the Spring/Summer 2012/13 collections most. The bright colour palettes, bold print-mixing and general upbeat feel was a nice reminder that although we've yet to feel winter's true cold, summer won't be too far behind.
In the first group show, Ashley Fogel's bold, bright, printed pant stood out. Though the printed pant trend is yet to really take off here, WFW showed it's one that's holding its ground in coming seasons. Ashley Fogel also showed a delightfully prim polka dot blouse/abstract zebra print cardigan combo. It struck just the right balance of dainty secretary, without being too conservative.
Other highlights included Mardle's raspberry pencil-fit maxi-skirt with a fishtail hem, and a tailored jumpsuit whose mechanics I still can't get my head around - how you can create such a tailored pant with a loose-fit top in one garment, I do not know! What I do know is that it is one-piece summer dressing at its best. Much of the rest of the first group show was winter collections we'd seen at New Zealand Fashion Week 2011.
In the second group show, there were more up-and-coming designers with much potential. Silence Was ... showed a mix of winter and summer, with personal highlights being a sheer, backless, black shirt and many metal tips on shirt collars. It was young and edgy.
Other newcomers, Philippa & Alice, showed a great selection of what I would call "hipster streetwear" with cut-out dresses and great muted tones contrasted with a floral print and pops of red. I adored the Egyptian print jeans and the tiger print on the back of a jacket. Both prints were original, printed by a friend of the designers' who studied textile design.
Established brands Starfish and Robyn Mathieson both showed colourful collections that screamed of hot summer days and icecreams. Yum.
After WFW, on April 24, fashion PR company extraordinaire, Showroom 22 in Auckland, hosted an event to launch the spring-summer 2012/13 collections of Juliette Hogan, Alexandra Owen and Salasai. It was also a celebration of the showroom's 10th birthday.
Alexandra Owen showed her usual flair for impeccable tailoring, but introduced an 80s vibe with bold, structured shoulders and an equally bold palette. I particularly loved the slim-lapelled trench coat. A classic piece I imagine you would return to time and again.
Juliette Hogan's collection, entitled "Yacht Rockers", was very aptly named. Deliciously feminine blouses were balanced with loose-fit pants and shorts, and cute polka dot dresses.
There was also a lovely white-on-white paisley print.
But my absolute highlight was from Salasai's collection. This brand keeps going from strength to strength. It showed an original floral print on black (feminine but not girly), lovely shirts, dresses and jackets, all with pops of hot pink, soft red and cobalt blue against a foundation of black, white, grey and nude. It even had an adorable short-sleeved shirt and shorts in a cute polka dot-on-polka dot print. Consider me counting the days till spring.
Thanks must go to the great team at stylecollective.co.nz for getting the great WFW photos you see here. Check out their website for illustrations by Beth Ivy Buxton of some of what went down the runway.