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   Those designers with some of the best examples of the ’80s re-take were: Sass & Bide who had some wonder­fully sexy blouson tops and sparkly racer-backed singlets; Prudence Todd who did a humorous take on Mouseketeer wear; Morrissey with seductive satin cocktail dresses in bright jewel colours; Fashion Assassin who combined country club chic with Italian Mafia style; and Überchic, who had some gorgeous slinky satin parachute pants and knickerbockers in khaki and funky, sporty bomber jackets.
   For those wanting to buck the trend and go forward in fashion rather than rewind, then a handful of designers who showed at MAFW should be able to help.
   Chief among these designers was those from New Zealand.
   On the catwalk, Kate Sylvester and Zambesi both showed stunning collections and had the media flocking backstage to congratulate them and orders flooding in for their garments from around the world.

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Model after model turned out in satin parachute pants and knicker­bockers, Lycra leggings à la the Nolan Sisters, micro-minis that looked more like oversized belts than whole garments and billowing blouson tops

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sass & Bide. Fashion Assassin, who insists that he is a ‘fashion appropriator’, rather than a fashion designer. Zimmerman (above). Fashion Assassin. Prudence Todd. More of the Mafia style meets country club chic from Fashion Assassin. ABOVE LEFT: Mickey Mousing around by Prudence Todd. INSET: Sass & Bide’s smoky-eye look by Kent Vaughan of Estée Lauder (photographed by Carolyn Enting).