Lucire Fashion: Carlson and finale at ID Dunedin Fashion Weekend autumn-winter 2004 (9)

Lucire fall-winter 2004

CONTINUED

   This Dunedin culture was an appropriate message. Dunedin fashion, said Carlson, is ‘not snobby.’ There is a broad cross-section of people, from students to skaters, and a history of op-shopping, she told journalists.
   This “anticipation” took us back to Carlson’s childhood in a more rural, quieter part of New Zealand, with its natural colours and shapes.
   Her colour palette consists of ocean, shell, sea foam, oil and rain through to caper, tamarillo, flame, kelp, lemongrass, pearl and ember’; what she showed were brooding, moodier garments than all-out glam. Her scarves, tops (an embroidered green lace one was a favourite for us) and coats (especially an orange number) were to die for. Autumnal leaves appeared on one skirt; lace trim on one top. Essentially, the items were more beautiful than in the cloth than in the photographs that Carlson had sent—and she should have no problems selling them this winter.
   ID finalés tend to feature one-off garments that come down the catwalk to wow the audience and to leave everyone in a great mood if they can’t get in to the More FM-sponsored after-party. They were surprising: we saw jewelled lapels from Nom D, a ‘Sold out’ coat and film-strip bra from Mild Red, ruffles from Toni Darling, a glamorous white evening dress from Juliet Fay and a classical blue halter dress from Carlson. For the first time that evening, the designers themselves appeared with their creations as they walked back up the catwalk.
   We learned that the models had covered 3 km each that evening, given the length of the railway platform—and practically all had been rehearsing for days.
   The after-party was eventful as we met up with the team who would help us with our exclusive Dunedin-based shoot, including local girl Imogen Ovens, now based in Auckland. The DJs had been called in at a late stage, they told us, but did a fantastic job nonetheless—and if it were not for the early start the following morning, we would have been quite happy to stay with some of the purest and most sincere of all Kiwis in this southern metropolis. •

Jack Yan is founding publisher of Lucire.

Visit ID Dunedin Fashion Weekend official site

Lucire’s moments at ID

Most noticeable on the catwalk: Victoria Bunton. Miss Bunton has a distinctive look and when one learns that she holds a university degree in business, you know she’ll go far.

Most glam (apart from the models): It’s a true pleasure to see news anchorwoman Carol Hirschfeld in a gown. In the words of an ’80s John Campbell: ‘C-lassic!’

Best food: In town, we visited Plato, which we’ll feature soon in Lucire. But if you can spare the drive out to Moeraki, there’s Fleur’s Place, with the freshest blue cod on the planet. You can watch the ﬁshermen catch them as you dine on something that came in about an hour before.

Best jewellery: It’d have to be what Juliet Fay showed at Aduki. The cloud earrings by Ang Jewiss are fun and very Dunedin.

Most embarrassing moment: As ID chair Susie Staley and the Vodafone spokeswoman gave their speeches on the upper level of the Railway Station, the ground ﬂoor appeared empty from the outside. One visitor decided he would mimic an airplane as he went to the lavatory. After the ﬁrst turn, he realized that he was in sight of four dozen people above him and promptly put down his wings. Plane Man’s exit was more digniﬁed, aware of his earlier embarrassment, and his dead-pan expression was a sight.

Greatest saviour: Margo Barton of Otago Polytechnic, who helped ﬁnd our two volunteers to assist our shoot: Marcia Hudson and Anjali Stewart.

Best speaker: Duncan McLean, ex-Cynthia Rowley designer, who talked about his experiences in New York City at a New Zealand Trade & Enterprise seminar. Sadly, we missed Doris de Pont’s session, which we heard was right up there.—JY

ABOVE: Glam: Carlson’s finalé dress, as modelled by Victoria Bunton. Tanya Carlson is on the left. LEFT: Fieke’s finalé outfit.

If it were not for the early start the following morning, we would have been quite happy to stay with some of the purest and most sincere of all Kiwis

Contents Fashion features index Autumn–winter 2004 index
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