High Fashion

Sera Lilly

Simply Wonderful

Kirrily Johnston

Trelise Cooper



Trelise Cooper

Here are some more images from Fashion Week. Trelise Cooper has been hailed as the toast of the catwalk so I have included some more of her fabulous designs. Trelise Cooper also paraded a line of children's fashion clothing that was highly applauded.

NZ Fashion Week

Zambesi

Zambesi

Annah Stretton

Annah Stretton

Karen Walker

Andrea Moore

NZ Fashion Week 16 - 21 September 2008.

On Saturday I visited Annah Stretton's retail outlet in Takapuna and I was able to see first-hand the intricate and beautiful work in her designs. I would describe much of her work as being soft and feminine. Many pieces were unique in terms of colour, style and fabrics and there was quite a wide range of choices to suit different moods. The notoriety that NZ fashion has received is well deserved.

Telethon!

Telethon is back! The twenty-one hour 'Big Night In' event is set for June 20 - 21 next year. Telethon last screened on NZ television 15 years ago.

KidsCan is the organisation that is set to benefit. KidsCan sets out to meet the day-to-day physical needs of disadvantaged children. Everyday children are going to school hungry, wet and cold. KidsCan work to supply food, raincoats and other basic essentials so that children are well set to reach their potential and become successful.

Martin Henderson is confirmed to appear and managers are hoping to attract some other big names. American TV star Leeza Gibbons and Coronation Street actor Christopher Quinten married after meeting at a NZ Telethon in the mid-1980s.

Telethon is another one of those episodes from the 70s and 80s that so many of us remember with some nostalgia. I am including a video clip of highlights from 1981.

Fashion NZ Style

Chris Chronis

Alexandra Owen

Karen Walker

Trelise Cooper

Liz Mitchell

Next week is NZ Fashion Week. The designs above are a sample of what will be on show.

The NZ fashion industry has gained attention and critical acclaim internationally. Their look is in demand and our designers are recognised overseas. The industry enjoys a huge depth of talent and success. NZ is known for its new innovative designs and fine attention to detail.

The focus is on wearability rather than clothes that look great but hamper ease of movement. Natural fabrics that allow breathability are prefered and zips, buttons, wraps and ties that allow freedom of movement feature readily. Meticulous attention to detail and perfection in tailoring is also commonplace.

Some of NZ's top designers include Karen Walker, Andrea Moore, Annah Stretton, Trelise Cooper, Tanya Carlson, Caroline Moore, Barbara Lee, Untouched World, Kate Sylvester, Liz Mitchelle, NomD, World, Zambesi and many more.

Election '08

Pukeko!

A family of Pukeko have taken up residence in the garden outside my classroom window at school. They are the source of much curiosity for myself and a group of my students as they forage about in the swampy grassland.


Pukeko are a New Zealand native bird. They are a member of the rail family and are also called the Purple Swamp Hen or Purple Gallinule although they are not really purple at all but a striking bright blue colour. Its wings and back are black with a greenish gloss and the undertail coverts are pure white. It has a large scarlet beak and orange-red legs and feet. A very exotic-looking bird it is a favourite for many and is the subject of many art and craft works in New Zealand.

The Pukeko is often thought to have a death wish as it darts around by the side of the road but not according to ornithologist WRB Oliver who had other ideas when he said, “The Pukeko is a bold and fearless bird. It has learned that trains and motorcars are harmless and takes no notice of them.”

Groovy!

Not all ideas from the seventies were good ones! Although, I think that the departure from fashion sense that occurred then was not restricted to only NZ!

The velour jumpsuit

The beige brigade