Waiting for WORLD to start. Image: Brady Dyer
For the third year in a row, Wellington was the focus of New Zealand’s fashion scene with five days of shows and events designed to showcase a great range of local designers and provide inspiration for the current season and a preview of what’s to come in coming months.
As you may have realised there was a bit of a scheduling conflict this year with WFW and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia overlapping each other by a couple of days making for a hectic time in fashion. As I couldn’t be in two places at once, I only managed to get to the last couple of days of WFW but was really impressed with the great collections I saw.
Maison Scotch and Robyn Mathieson. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
The first show I got to see was Group Show 2 on Friday night which had a focus on wearable knitwear perfect for the upcoming chilly months. The first label on the runway was Maison Scotch who showed a collection of cute knits, skinny denim and digital prints with an urban street wear feel. Next up was Robyn Mathieson whose draped knitwear, raw edged leather looks and forties style dresses were a modern take on classic styles. Noa Noa followed with lovely layered knits, prim shirts and detailed cardis with an equestrian edge.
Noa Noa and Nineteen//46. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
Nineteen//46 were up next with a cool range of nineties inspired street wear in autumnal hues with long layers and slouchy knits. Highnoontea’s elegant range of jersey pieces followed, with elbow patches and a metallic paisley print adding interesting touches to their collection. Goodness closed the show with a vibrant range of contemporary work wear featuring clever colour-blocking, clashing plaids and paisley prints making for great office to evening looks.
Highnoontea and Goodness. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
Saturday afternoon saw the beautiful Bridal Couture show present a gorgeous range of bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses to suit a range of tastes. First up on the pretty petal-lined and candlelit runway was Rasha Taylor who showed a modern collection full of embellished bodices and flowing skirts with a detachable tulle skirt over a stunning sheath dress a clever highlight. Confetti Bridal showed ruched looks with a winsome appliqued train next.
Rasha Taylor and Confetti Bridal. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
Helen Forster followed with a beautiful collection that felt vintage inspired, a standout look was the beautiful full-skirted tea-dress length dress which was sigh worthy. Jessica Bloom’s range was up next with a glamourous range of gowns in darker hues of midnight blues and black with an amazing gold sequinned sheath a crowd favourite.
Helen Forster and Jessica Bloom. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
For Every Minute followed with a luxurious collection of silk lounge-wear complete with flattering robes, slips and separates in rich hues. Sally Eagle closed the show with her range of delightful gowns and sweet bridesmaid dresses in pretty shades. Flowing trains, plunging backs and delicate details made for a beautiful collection to finish a suitably romantic show.
For Every Minute and Sally Eagle. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
Sunday afternoon saw Storm take to the runway with a dark and moody collection full of luscious leather and striking metallics. Opening with a beautiful gothic angel, complete with feathery black wings, which perfectly set the tone for the dramatic collection to come and complemented by covetable Nick Von K jewellery.
STORM. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
The emphasis was on wearable shapes and beautiful details with embellishments, feather trims and leather featuring on modern dresses and well-cut separates. Blazers and jackets with draped collars which fell lower at the back added a vintage-inspired feel while a gorgeous tulle overlaid skirt made for a divine evening look. This collection was elegant, accessible and sure to find favour among Storm’s many fans.
Closing Wellington Fashion Week in their signature theatrical style, World, demonstrated their masterful ability to delight crowds with their stunning ready-to-wear and couture collections. Opening with their current Autumn/Winter collection set to a hip-hop soundtrack, World began with a series of dapper suiting looks for men and women in luxurious fabrics.
WORLD. Imagery: Masanori Udagawa
The palette of brights mixed with neutrals and accented with neon had everyone’s eyes transfixed to the runway, as the collection progressed into sexy dresses and contemporary casual wear perfectly complemented by the sleek hair and crystal embellished eye makeup.
Britney Spears ‘Crazy’ blared through the speakers next as World’s superhero-inspired couture collection owned the runway in a series of creative looks that were wonderfully dramatic and drew audible cheers from the crowd.
Amazing gowns (one even looked to be made of black floor-length hair) with brilliant out-there styling paraded down the runway, the finale gown a gold goddess gown with exaggerated shoulders accessorised with a motorcycle helmet, providing a fittingly spectacular end to an exciting week of fashion.