All that glisters...

DONNA WALSH/Waikato Times

GOLDEN MOMENT: Morrinsville fashion designer Annah Stretton celebrates her show featuring a gold paint-clad model at Fashion Week in Auckland.

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It was glitz and glamour on the catwalk last night for Morrinsville fashion designer Annah Stretton, who finished her show at Air New Zealand Fashion Week with half-naked models, dressed in little more than gold glitter paint.

Her winter 2010 collection, Envy, channeled 1940s New Zealand exotic dancer Freda Stark, who worked in an ammunition company by day, but by night danced for US troops in a g-string and gold body paint at Auckland's Wintergarden.

Stretton's collection of 39 outfits was inspired by the era, with plunging v-front dresses, flirty ruffles, 1940s feminine silhouettes and tailored jackets. "The range depicts the breakaway from the bleak war conditions to a time when promiscuity prevailed," said Ms Stretton.

Garments were worn over vintage foundation undergarments, including bras, pants and suspenders, which Stretton found by raiding op shops around the country. The show went off without a hitch and was well-received, a contrast to last year's event, where some of Stretton's models stumbled in high heels several sizes too big. "(Stylist) Karen (Interbitzen-Waller) is freaking out. She said there's no way any girls are falling on my watch," said Ms Stretton, backstage before the show. "She's even sandpapered the bottom of the shoes."

The collection was one of eight designer outings on the first day of Fashion Week shows, including Cybele, Sable & Minx, Twenty-sevennames, Juliette Hogan, Basquesse, Alexandra Owen and Zambesi.

Fashion Week runs until Friday, with Nom*D, Trelise Cooper and Kate Sylvester among the designers scheduled to show today.

Celebrities were spotted front row at many of the shows yesterday, including actress Keisha Castle Hughes. Former Baywatch star, Pamela Andersonis expected later in the week.

Hamilton will launch its own fashion show in October, N-Style, featuring top New Zealand designer fashion on the catwalk.

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See today's Tempo for more.

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