Stylist slams Kiwi stars' cleavage (+pics)

A New Zealand stylist has slammed top Kiwi models Rachel Hunter and Nicky Watson for being too blonde, too tanned and showing too much cleavage.

The comments come from New Zealand stylist Stephanie Rumble as New Zealand heads into its annual Fashion Week in Auckland.

"At times Rachel looks like mutton dressed as lamb." Rumble, who recently launched her style company Flair Image, said.

"She has an amazing figure but we see way too much of it. As can often be the case with ex-models the tan is too orange, the cleavage is out for all to see and the hair is a little too blonde."

"Rachel is an amazing woman who has built a fantastic name for herself but needs to remember that she is closer to 40 than she is to 30 and subtlety and class are far more appealing than too much leg and cleavage."

Rumble also has similar advice for model and tabloid fodder Nicky Watson.

"(She has) a figure to die for - but it needs only be on show at the beach.  She shows way too much cleavage most of the time and must feel cold due to lack of clothing. "

She said Watson could look stunning in the right clothes for her body shape and look. 

Rumble also cast her keen eye over the stars of the big screen, saying Kiwi director Peter Jackson looks better after losing some weight.

"With marginally less hair he could almost be passed off as grunge trendy. The clothes have improved but losing a little more facial and head hair (not completely) will not detract from his signature ‘hobbit muffin ' look but would sharpen up the image to match the mind that he has."

Rumble suggested Jackson go for more structured clothing from labels like Untouched World or World (who return to Fashion Week this year).

She said actress Lucy Lawless was all class.

"She has pushed fashion and style boundaries ever since she arrived on the scene as Xena,  Princess Warrior. She has a fantastic body which she maintains. 

"Sometimes again there is a little too much cleavage but unlike Rachel she seems to pull it off."

But actor Russell Crowe is letting the Kiwi side down.

"When he makes an effort: cuts his hair, looks after his fitness and dresses well he looks great.  It seems since his kids have come on the scene he has let himself go," she said.

Rumble commended singer Hayley Westenra for wearing clothes that were classy and age-appropriate.

"She is a good teen icon as she wears classy and stylish clothing without looking trashy which some teenagers manage with ease."

With Air New Zealand Fashion Week just around the corner Rumble also cited some iconic Kiwi designers as setting a good style example.

She said Trelise Cooper is the epitome of her fashion label.

"She always wears her stuff and you can see she lives her dream.  She is very mindful of colour and looks amazing as a result.  She is also an inspiration to women of all shapes and sizes."

And Rumble had some advice for the rest of New Zealand - stop wearing so much black!

"New Zealanders have a unique and morbid tendency to wearing far, far too much black.  Black does justice only to select few skin tones; it deadens, ages and kills many people's complexions."

Air New Zealand Fashion Week runs from 16-21 September.

*Do you agree with Stephanie's comments? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News