NZ Fashion Tech Show 2013

Live on the Catwalk at NZ Fashion Tech  - Model: Islay from Voda Model Management - Photo by Briahna Patterson

Overview

It may be a bit late in the days after the other reviews about the ‘NZ Fashion Tech Show’, but the Fashion Show has been one of the most exciting shows of emerging artists and designers. This show was to celebrate the successes of students on completing their course successfully in fashion design at NZ Fashion Tech. What stood out was the use of recycled fabrics from the Salvation Army, reusing and recreating their own fashionable garments that enter the futuristic world of fashion. This was the students chance to celebrate their own success as well as have the opportunity to display their work to their audience who include big names such as ‘Donna Malneek’ from ‘FakingFabulous’ and ‘Voda Model Management’, ‘Sopheak’ – Fashion Designer, ‘Alistair Boyd’ from ‘Ataahua Avenue Talent Management’ as well as reporters/journalists from ‘Fish HeadMagazine’. Not only was this an outlet for designers to display their work but it was a chance for the models to strut their stuff on the catwalk as there were agencies scouting for fresh faces. Either way there were great career opportunities on the line for the students and models!

Back Stage Models - Chifon, Leather, Chains and Hats - Photo by Briahna Patterson

Back Stage Models - Authentic Thai Chifon Blouse outfit (Left) - Leather & Cotton Crop Top with  Hand-Sewn Pearl High-Waisted Shorts (right) - Photography by Briahna Patterson

Review

I would love to be able to tell you exactly which designers I liked, and which designers I thought were outrageously creative, but unfortunately I couldn’t hear the announcements as I was backstage busy photographing the beautiful garments.  I could say which student label in particular I adored, but I’m afraid I can’t decipher the others, so instead here’s a description of the looks that left an impression on the audience as well as myself.

The menswear offering was a mixture of street-wear with a hip hop direction and modern tailoring, with my personal favourite being authentic panelled black and white shirts with contrasting fabrics. The striking matching suits of Leopard print were also a mouth dropper. The careful tailoring and the casual look mixed with the smart, nicely fitted on the chosen models. However, the show was dominated by womenswear, with a mixture of colours, fun casualwear, and show stopping dresses. Dramatic looks all round seemed to be the order of the evening as we saw many evening dresses with angular abstract styles encasing and dropping from the hips, extravagant draped evening gowns such a very delicate corseted white mermaid dress with textures seeping into red. Every garment had their own perks and definitely outlined the category of detail.

Based on the show’s diverse variety of looks and personal styles, leather and black are clearly the way forward. I’m not talking Retro Goth, I’m talking long protruding metal ware and urban style. From the shining leather to the leopard print; from the coloured velvet to the black and gold chains, they were springing up in-between garments like little patches of extra accessories. However, despite this, the collection of the evening for me has to be the ‘Kleenex Cottonelle’ toilet paper dresses. The amount of carefulness and detail put into these dresses were outstandingly remarkable. This definitely is a new statement on the world of recycling. Recycling and compressing delicate fabrics into something strong enough to be worn is incredibly creative. The eco-friendly recycling (Upcycle) is a big clothing and accessory statement on today’s fashion and design industry. Recycling old fabrics and recreating a garment just as spectacular as it once was is the ‘in thing’ in New Zealand. Hopefully this spreads worldwide as us Kiwis are overly proud to showcase what we can create into a fashionable and wearable piece of art. 

Kleenex Cottonelle Dress - Model: Elizabeth from Voda Model Management
Photography by Briahna Patterson

Back Stage- Model: Ella - Chifon, Leather, Velvet
Chains and Hats - Photo by Briahna Patterson

Back Stage - Model: Neil from Voda Model Management - Tailored Cuffed leapord
Button-Up Shirt and Matching Trouser Shorts - Photo by Briahna Patterson

Back Stage Model - Fitted Patterned Mermaid-Like Dress - White textures seeping
into red with matching hair piece - Photo by Briahna Patterson

Back Stage Model & Student at NZ Fashion Tech - Authentic Thai Chifon T-shirt
and Shorts - Photo by Briahna Patterson