NZFW xxx We (heart) you xxx

12/10/2010

Pop Quiz .... Why is September our new favourite fashion month? ... Answer?  The New Zealand Fashion Industry comes out to play!  xxx

This year from September 21st to 25th marked the 10th year that New Zealand fashion designers have showcased their designs in one of the country's most high profile events.
The week, all about autumn winter 2011 collections, was perfectly located at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour ... picture perfect one minute (below) , wind blown and raining up a storm the next (sorry no pic... was holding onto skirt whilst hair whipped face!) ... all in all, perfect weather really for getting into the A/W mood! xxx

So ... the runway rundown ... xxx
An amazing array of designer collections hit the catwalk over the 4 days ... from Annah Sretton to Alexandra Owen ... Cybele to Hailwood ... Nom*D to Zamebesi ... World, Twenty Seven Names, Trelise Cooper (below), Andrea Moore, Stolen Girlfriends Club and so, so much more!  We even picked up a handful to bring home to you next Winter xxx

Kick starting with one of the first shows for the week on Day 1 was our newest edtion to Chasing Bow ... Juliette Hogan ... think sexy coiffed hair, ladylike meets Sandy pre-Danny with a rock and roll 50's vibe and a slick of liquid eyeliner thrown in.  Evolving from the girly fashion of spring summer to a sexy new silhouette of slightly more tailored pieces whilst still maintaining her fresh, youthful edge ... a few front rower's including local NZ soapie stars and bloggers flown in ... all seemed to love as much as we did! xxx

A few hours and a pre drinks party later, our favourite shoe designer in the whole wide Chasing Bow world ... Kathryn Wilson! In her first NZFW appearance as a designer, Kathryn's show definitely had the hype happening with a full crowd cheering to her sexy heeled debut of Robert Palmer inspired girls in 80's-esque bodysuits.  A place where the eyes on this catwalk were undoubtably all about the shoes xxx (below)  All we can say lovelies is, boots are your new heels next year xxx  We have already coveted the high swinging ponytails ... too much fun for summer! xxx

A/W lust! xxx

 

Tuesday night ended with Zambesi's offiste show (above) ... Sav Blanc's and a cool wind were warmed up once the collection hit the "runway". Loved it!  xxx

Day Two started with an early morning champagne (or sparkling water for those that had too much fun at Zambesi the night before!) breakfast in a tent that people literally had to hold onto the sides to stop it blowing away.  The cute, girly show was a fab way to start the day though and these little numbers will definitely be hanging on our racks next season ... xxx
A tour of the AUT (Auckland University of Tecknology) opened our eyes to how these fabulous NZ designers may begin their design careers ... There were definitely a few that we would have loved to buy off their student racks! xxx  Cybele blew our mind and then an afternoon show had us wishing desperately for a Chasing Boy to share the love but we will still bring home the girls point of view.... xxx

Nom*D closed the night with another offsite show ... outside in the wet and the freezing cold it was defintely worth the wait for the hour+ installation show ... pop in and we'll show you our pics! xxx

Day Three we began showings of collections and also managed to fit in a visit to Ponsonby Rd ... a must see shopping destination if you are ever in Auckland (and chasing a new pair of skinny black Zambesi jeans!) xxx

Twenty Seven Names was a highlight for the day.  The school yard nostalgia seen in knit cardi's, blazers and friendship bands had us reminiscing of our first Sretsis delivery and wishing we had more room in our budget.  Loved the Veruca Salt soundtrack and references to early 90's velvet xxx  Amercian designer Nicole Miller showcased a collection made up from Spring and Pre-Fall ... think pieces embellished with sequinned skulls, body skimming jersey frocks, crinkle knits, cut out, lace up details and modelled by Amercia's Next Top Model winner, Krista xxx

Salasai's evening show at the Hilton had us clapping and wanting to see more ... Beautiful styling - think gold leaf detailing on perfectly parted hair & edgy blue hued makeup - all to compliment a very cool collection - Thirty plus outfits were paraded by boy and girl models to showcase a collection against a mirrored backdrop and super dramatic soundtrack ...  A palette of black, white and nude and, our very favourite, a touch a gold metallic too xxx  We loved the square pocket detailing and unisex looks ... It had local and international fashion editors rushing backstage after the show to congratulate designer Kircher Whitcher too, yay! xxx

A fabulously entertaining ride to the Mercury Theatre was our next stop to end the day ... Stolen Girlfriends Club's offsite evening show at 9pm had huge hype that was in the form of a line that snaked around the block for industry patrons eager to get in (some too eager!) ... Preshow drinks and chat about Man Clutches (thankyou Derek Warburton) were the perfect accompainment to a show that closed the day ... abtly called "Last Nights Party" ... oh yes, definite sore heads nursed Friday morning, eeeek xxx

A Devonport showing first up on Day Four kickstarted our day ... such a gorgeous place to trip around if you had more time! xxx The first show of the day was the Miromoda Showcase - a display of indigenous Maori fashion, where the winners of the awards presented their collections after a performance from violinist Adam Maha (who actually wore the most expensive piece of the week ... a feather cloak that was on loan from the Waikato Museum, valued at $100,000) which was truely intoxicating xxx

Back to back appointments saw us pick up 4 new labels by the time the week had closed, and of course continuing with the lovely Juliette and Kathryn... What an absolutely fabulous week!  If we weren't madly in love already with NZ fashion, we definitely are now! Thanks NZ for a amazing week! XXX

And to you lovelies, well, Can't wait to show you! AW11, bring it on!

Love, CB xxx

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