The press release for Kagi’s debut runway show was littered with words like “theatrical”, “magical”, and “outrageous”. Designer Kat Gee made it clear that she was going to break the mould for NZFW’s first ever solo jewellery show, and with a promise like that, even this self-confessed jewellery minimalist was eager to see what she had in store.
Without a doubt, the show lived up to its own hype. The first person on the catwalk wasn’t a model, but a safari-suited man introducing himself as David Attenborough. He began with a speech about the many wild and exotic birds of Paradise we were to encounter, and the various ways they might go about attracting a mate. He might have well been discussing the crowd – except in our human case, we use beads and baubles in place of brilliant plumes.
What followed were five performances representing the courtship of various bird species – Peacocks, Godwits, Tuis, Kiwis, and White Herons. Opera, contemporary dance, stilt-walking, and even a burlesque performance by a very sexy Kiwi (“the most sexual of birds”) enthralled the crowd while providing a perfect platform in which to admire Kagi’s dazzling range of bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Like all Kagi’s designs, the Birds of Paradise range was made for taking centre stage – glistening black and turquoise beads, cherry solitaire pendants, layered pearls and diamantes made for a wildly bold and glamorous collection for women of the same description.
Renowned artistic director and film maker Morag Browlie was the woman in charge of the theatrics, which brought the most adaptable species from her acclaimed production (likewise named Birds of Paradise) from the theatre to a runway format. The unusual format must have also been a treat for the KMS hair design team, who got to go wild with opulent feathers and jewels. Likewise for Darren Meredith’s make up team. Avant-garde makeup seems to be having a moment here at NZFW, but the silver brows, feather eyelashes and diamante accents seen at Kagi might just top the lot.
Which all goes to show that even twelve years on, NZFW has what it takes to surprise even the most jaded of show-goers. Showcasing jewellery on a runway is a tricky task – but Kagi pulled it off with flair. A definite highlight of NZFW 2012.
CLICK HERE to view Kagi NZFW12 – Runway
– Delaney MacDonald
Images: Norrie Montgomery, The A List