Next winter? Are you mad???, it's not even officially spring yet.
Valid point, but dozens of the finest local fashion labels literally strutted their stuff at New Zealand Fashion Week few days ago, and in this digital, seasonless world you could soon see one of the key trends finding way into a chain store near you!!!
Here are the key trends for winter 2014...
BOMBERS
Short sleeved bombers layered over knits; bombers in luxe fabrics; a wild stud-emblazoned one at Cooper by Trelise Cooper - high fashion undeniably still loves this sportswear crossover.
EVOCATIVE PRINTS
Beautiful, appealing florals from Salasai and Sheryl May; swans from Andrea Moore, herons from Cooper. Feminine, pastel and somewhat haunting prints were everywhere.
COATS
We got an indication of this trend right from Fashion Week's first show by Twenty-seven names, and coats from almost every other brand followed. Never have we seen such a wide range of styles, most of them grandeur. We hope these relatively expensive garments are indicative of an economic upturn.
FUR
For pioneering types, Lela Jacob's reversed, recycled furs were a moment of breathtaking beauty. For an easier to wear option Hailwood's furry zip front jacket, or Andrea Moore's possum fur 'harness', combined with an artfully coordinating knit dress will give one a classy style.
PINK
Not a colour one would necessarily expect to see for winter, but intense bright pink showed in various collections, primarily in statement dresses and coats as well as teamed with other rich shades.
PLAID
Fave of the week was Stolen Girlfriends Club's reworked vintage tartan, but if you like your fashion more glam then you will love COOP's plasticised, glittery plaid. This trend was also spotted at Salasai and Cooper.
PUNK INFLUENCES
Fashion Week attendees sensed the hand of punk queen Vivienne Westwood during the Cooper section of Trelise Cooper's show, and then instantaneously afterward at Stolen Girlfriends Club. Take the afore mentioned plaid, and add a generous serving of body piercings (fake is ok), studs, fabulous removable thigh-high chaps, pirate sleeves and ripped jeans and you are ready :)
HATS
From 'a hat offering which would make Sid or Stevie proud' at Stolen Girlfriends Club, to hand crafted felt bonnets at NYNE, from bowlers at Twenty-seven names to wide-brimmed numbers at Company of Strangers, hats made a booming statement throughout Fashion Week. If you are not already a 'titfer' wearer, better start figuring out what hat suits you - come next cold season, your wardrobe won't be complete without one.
INTERESTING HEMLINES
Floaty fabrics lent themselves to hemline assymmetry at Company of Strangers and NYNE. Note the hosiery and footwear becomes very important - Company of Strangers took the occasion to showcase a new footwear collab with Bay of Plenty brand Chaos & Harmony.
RED
Nyne win the prize for the best red of the week - they layered it up richly in varied textures of the same shade. Zambesi's mostly dark show finished with a complete red section, and red (riding hood) coats from Andrea Moore and Twenty-seven names were definite stand-outs.
