From the world fashion capitals to your wardrobe, these are the sartorial sentiments that seem to be in conversation with New Zealand’s own.
Following a whirlwind of shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris, the dust is settling on Fashion Month as fashion editors worldwide take notes of the key fashion trends.
When you consider that most of the collections on show were in anticipation of Spring 2025, and New Zealand is already stepping into spring, my notes have become more of a compendium of shopping picks, which will be ‘in fashion’ for as far as the eye can see.
New York is Ready to Play
Kicking off Fashion Month, New York Fashion Week had a big ‘back to school’ energy as the fashion set returned from their summer break and hoped to look the best in class. Being an election year, Americana was on the mind, especially at Ralph Laren and Tory Burch. Something everyone could get behind, however, is the excitement over Los Angeles being the next Olympic city (in 2028). Tory Burch, also showed athletic one-pieces worn with pull-on-slacks, like our favourite freestylers. Off-White, which hosted a runway show on public basketball courts that hang over the water in Brooklyn, dove into athletic fabrications and stripes. While the Coach show was elevated (quite literally on the Chelsea Highline), its styling was decidedly sporty – from the model’s caps to high-socks and trainers. Several fashion brands continued to rival these sports motifs throughout the rest of the month.
New Zealand is a country that punches above our weight in the sporting world, and we have the styles to suit. From Hills Hats’ most posh and playful sporting hat to Karen Walker Playpark’s love of Adidas, these links show that shopping should never stop short at being a spectator sport.
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London Keeps it Brief
As the home of Mary Quant (credited with inventing the 60s-mod mini) and Twiggy (the charismatic model who showed women how to wear it) – London was the fashion capital to put the mini back on the map this year. In fact, New Zealand-born but England-based designer Emilia Wickstead was one of its strongest new advocates – swapping her usual sweeping gowns for the shortest of skirts.
Like many runway looks, it’s best to add an inch of reality when picking out your mini – be this quite literally to the hem or to your styling attitude. The key is to look for straight shift-style skirts, except for when they have pleats. A-line is the most flattering for this.
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Milan Finds Its Inner Child (and Personal Style Abounded)
Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Versace… Milan is the most glamorous of fashion capitals, but it still knows how to have fun. Bottega Venetta’s models looked like they had been playing in their parents’ dress-up box, with blown-out proportions and clashing prints to match. Marni was experimental to the max – complete with overdrawn eyebrows – and even Prada, which is known for its sleek shows, seemed in a state of flux. The latter’s show notes seemed to question online algorithms in a quest for personal style.
For dresses that will stop you doom-scrolling and perhaps even feel the joy of a first fashion purchase again, look to New Zealand’s long-established fashion labels that continue to reinvent themselves, with a knowing nod to innocence, each season.
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Paris Was Pretty in Pastels
Much like the Instagram filter of the same name, Paris is known for its soft, diffused light, thanks to overcast days and perhaps some rose-tinted glasses worn by those wandering the streets. This season, delicate rays were filtered through collections – namely at Chanel and Chloe – in the form of pastel pinks and blues that were just as admired on the runway as they were on in-the-know attendees.
While New Zealand has a harsher light, especially in spring and summer, pastel colours still shine on. At home, this calming colour palette can be worn in signature light dresses and fine knits, or it can find its own spotlight in a striking frilled blouse or bow-adorned jumpsuit, like these.
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