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Project Born’s 2012 show slicker and more imaginative than ever


News

November 1, 2012/18.45



Dusk VFX/© Project Born Ltd.


Kerp Photography/© Project Born Ltd.

Having attended the first Project Born, I thought I would have been prepared for what the cast and crew would do, but the slickness of this year’s presentation was at a higher level. It took the team a full two years to conceive this year’s show, and it paid off as there was more drama, theatrics and hijinks to entertain, delight and send a message of hope. The whole show is dedicated to raising awareness for the work of the Neonatal Trust.
   Project Born is a lingerie show with a difference. Combining the worlds of fashion, art, acrobatics, dance, theatre and the wonderful imagination of Sir Richard Taylor and his Weta Workshop crew, you have a show that is described by Sir Richard himself as a Victoria Secret runway show crossed with Cirque du Soleil.
   This year’s outing was dedicated to the memory of three beautiful children, Willsher, Jackson and Lillie Weekes, the two-year-old triplets who recently graduated from the Neonatal Unit here in Wellington, whose lives were cut short by a fire that broke out in a shopping mall in Doha.
   Opening with dancing witchdoctors and fully body-painted voodoo doll models with corn heads and giant button eyes, the show took you on a journey to the world of the undead as models in Emma Highfield and Milkman Underwear paraded on the catwalk. The Emma Highfield label showed gorgeous lace and silk bra and underwear sets embellished with bows and tassels, which came in seductive black, highlighted with accents of chartreuse and sea blues. Milkman, meanwhile, showed that men’s underwear need not be boring: colours of the rainbow were showcased and in styles that were cut to shape, hold and support.
   This year’s show also showcased sleepwear from one of our favourite new discoveries, For Every Minute, designed by Faye Lowe and ex-Lucire staffer Kenzy Cheeseman. Their gorgeous range of silk pyjamas, robes, negligées and camis provided some sensual and sass appeal, showing the appeal of sleepwear as loungewear. It was definitely on trend with the whole pyjamas-as-daywear look.
   The mini-acts were a metaphor of the critical stages through which a neonatal baby goes, and the support that the Neonatal Trust offers. There was everything from beautiful orchids with LED light stamens, a horny bumble bee trying to pollinate, musical human instruments, sci-fi droids with ropes of lights connected to their bodies, muscular silk acrobatics, to a fully pregnant model who was then covered in hand prints (the symbol of the Neonatal Trust).
   Hosted once again by Buffy and Bimbo, the finalé of the opening night even saw Sir Richard Taylor dance on stage to Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’. A never-to-be-repeated performance.
   The Neonatal Trust was established in 2009 and supports the parents of the country’s smallest and sickest babies. About 6,000 sick or premature babies are born every year, and the number is steadily increasing. The aim of the Trust is to help guide families and babies through this traumatic time and lend a helping hand.—Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor


Kerp Photography/© Project Born Ltd.


Dusk VFX/© Project Born Ltd.


Kerp Photography/© Project Born Ltd.


Dusk VFX/© Project Born Ltd.







Kerp Photography/© Project Born Ltd.








Dusk VFX/© Project Born Ltd.

Creative Director: Sir Richard Taylor
Director: Leo Gene Peters
Co-director: Fingal Pollock
Producer: James O’Connell-Cooper
Co-producer: Eleanor Cooke
Weta Production Manager: Cathrine Mitchell
Character Design: Dan Falconer
Model Hair Design: Craig Stinson
Model Make-up Design: Amber Hill


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2 thoughts on ‘Project Born’s 2012 show slicker and more imaginative than ever

  1. Absolutely amazing show! Travelled from the Waikato to see it – planning to do the same next year!

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