Finale on the runway at Jacqueline Anne Couture NZFW 2019. Image by Getty Images.
After a successful and varied fashion career working abroad, designer Jacqueline Roper has returned home to launch her namesake womenswear label with a focus on couture. And what better setting to launch her very feminine and vintage inspired label then Auckland’s historic Town Hall.
The show was categorised into three parts beginning with ‘Botanical Empyrean’. The first capsule collection featured soft hues of floral and abstract bird prints punctuated by pops of bold emerald green and a striking cobalt blue. The opening look was an emerald green silk twill collared shirt dress with puff sleeves, a thin waist belt and embellished with artfully placed white lace appliqué. Looks to follow included lovely flowing dresses nipped at the waist and pretty blouse and pencil skirt ensembles, an all over floral print pant suit made a welcome appearance injecting a modern touch with its narrow silhouette and bare décolletage styling.
‘Sugar pop Tweed’ was next, and was as joyous as its name suggests. A fun colour palette of mint, lemon yellow, duckegg and turquoise blue, and pretty pinks was utilized in lightweight tweeds, silks and tulle. Opening the segment was a tailored vest, belted at the waist, paired with a dancefloor-ready tulle skirt and topped with a veiled bow fascinator, first in blue and then replicated in yellow were race ready looks. A few variation of pussy bow blouses paired with flared and pencil skirts or trousers followed as did the inclusion of an all white outfit with heavenly silk culottes and a duckegg blue tailored jacket. Organza bow belts and ostrich feathered trims added whimsical touches of embellishment.
A sheath lace dress with an alluring scoop back in black and then white introduced us to the last segment ‘Derby Stakes’, a capsule centered on black and white indulgence combining soft silks with laser cut laces. Each look was finished with a headpiece (all by Monika Neuhauser Millinery) and styled with strappy stilettos or cut out block heels. Concluding the show were a pair of elegant fit and flare dresses layered with tulle underskirts fit for an evening soiree.
Overall a confident debut from Roper, with exquisite and well made pieces, it will be interesting to see how she finds and develops her couture clientele back on her home turf.
Soundtrack: Instrumental and rock n roll versions of well known classics, ‘You are my Sunshine’ was a particularly delightful addition.
Hot Item: The audience favourite as shown by a collective holding up of phones to capture the look, was a pastel pink tweed trouser suit accessorised at the waist with an oversized organza bow.
Beauty Notes: The makeup for Jaqueline Anne Couture was created by Kristen Stewart from Kristen Stewart School Of Makeup and was inspired by the elegance of the 50’s era with a fluid line cat eye and a bold red lip with the M.A.C Lady Danger shade. Each model had a different shade of eye shadow, with greens, purples, pinks and blues covering the top lids. This look is a nod to the softness of the 50’s but with a more modern graphic twist.
The hair team was led by Karina Collins and the Redken team and complimented the makeup well with a very “lady at the races” 40’s and 50’s old Hollywood feel with soft curls pinned back at the nape of the neck and soft finger curls to perfectly compliment all of the models face shapes. Beauty Notes by Nina Franklin.
For NZFW 2019 Backstage blog coverage click here.
Images by Getty Images.