While there was a mid-week surprise with the
first menswear collection from the House of Hankhe had, prior
to this, been the manufacturer for other labelsthe real fashion
action was at the Designer Collection. We did know of journalists
who didnt like the evening and one made some enemies for life
with her report, and others who felt some of Wellington's finest
didn't try hard enough, but on balance, we enjoyed our time there.
For Andrea Moore, think stunning, wistful
and daringly original. Her clothes are harking back to the late
70s for inspiration; there are pleats and folds that other
designers wouldn't dare touch. Its all about a shot of Manhattan
and an inhjection of New York nightlife. Essentially this collection
is fun and funky with a Cosmopolitan touch. What more can
you say: its sexy and simple.
Given the design angle it was perhaps unorthodox
to have the girls come out as tiara-wearing princesses, but Moore
showed why she has the city's highest profile as a designer. Red
and pink were therewe always spotted them but it was only
this season that we realized they are mustsbut Moore didn't
use them religiously. A bright, sexy collection, exposed by one
breast out of the loose dresses and arguably the most elegant of
the evening for us.