A big night out
Waikato Times
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On Saturday night, Hamilton turned it on with a glittering fashion event on the lakes at Waikato University. Kate Monahan and Kelly Hodel were there to capture the action.
There had been talk of it for many years.
That a growing and increasingly vibrant city like Hamilton should have its own fashion event.
The explosion in fashion retail stores over the past decade, and the increasingly style-savvy population meant there was a demand.
Waikato fashionistas were travelling up to Air New Zealand Fashion Week in droves. Auckland and Wellington fashion designers talked of a loyal customer base of women from Hamilton, where many of their mail orders came from.
From big name designers to edgy up-and-comers, the Waikato has designer talent and a new fashion school at Wintec to encourage the next generation.
The N'Style Collections Spring/Summer fashion on Saturday night is not the first big fashion show in Hamilton, but it is the seed of something big.
The idea of Ktizo hair stylist Wayne Richardson, a veteran of New Zealand Fashion Week, who had seen the local talent and wanted to celebrate it in a big way, just like Dunedin has done with its iD Fashion Show for the past 10 years.
With the success of the show, the phone has been ringing hot at Ktizo this week, with some big name New Zealand fashion designers and large local corporates interested in sponsorship or involvement next year.
It was a bold move to launch the N'Style show, in a poor economy. Four retailers were involved, asked to pay $2000 each to show their spring/summer labels to ticket holders.
Tickets cost $65 but included two drinks, endless nibbles and a goody bag valued at $150.
In a beautiful setting at Momento Espresso at Waikato University, the L-shaped catwalk looked out on to the lake. With the audience seated around, everyone had a good view of the colourful summer looks on show.
The White Room showcased their label Nyne, as well as clothes from Salasai, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Chronicles of Never and accessories from Deadly Ponies and Chaos & Harmony. It was a very 80s-inspired show, with lots of layers, leggings, oversized tees, stripes, acidwash and ankle boots. Neutral greys, whites and blacks were accented with magenta.
Cambridge boutique Justify showed Zambesi, Kate Sylvester, Helen Cherry, Trelise Cooper and Cybele, with lots of elegant dresses and fun summer frocks. There was everything from bold florals to sophisticated prints and black gowns.
St Andrews new comer Shop 9 also showcased some beautiful summer dresses, including Cooper by Trelise, Sable & Minx, Oyl and Carly Harris.
London St store Sisters' clothes had a younger, slinkier feel, with sexy dresses paired with edgy lace tights, and lots of sequins and sparkle. The store featured labels such as Augustine, Ksubi, Something Else, Ruby, Sass & Bide and menswear from The Academee and Zanerobe.
Ktizo's hair collections were beautiful, with something for everyone. The commercial collection from L'Oreal was soft, sexy and feminine, with some undercutting and texture. Pretty colours, including violets and pinks, provided some texture, while heavy fringes and luscious curls are in for spring.
The avant-garde hair section was the rock 'n roll part of the evening, with models storming out dressed in Heathen Earth garments designed by local woman Janine Carmichael (see page 6).
Former international model Tamsyn Rose was dressed like a gothic princess in an elaborate black gown and top hat. The over-the-top hair was like woven art, piled on models' hair, designed by Ktizo's Wayne Richardson.
Rose, who has spent years modelling professionally in Europe, spent a lot of time teaching models catwalk techniques.
The hard work by the organisers behind the scenes paid off on the night, which was a success.
"It was a lot of work," admitted Richardson after the show. "All the feedback so far has been fantastic. Everyone is really happy."
For those who felt left out, there is scope to be involved in the 2010 N'Style event. "It will be bigger next year," promises Richardson.
