KEY POINTS:
He could sell ice to Eskimos, but Ricardo Simich wasn't having much luck convincing one stroppy fashion fringe dweller to take a seat three rows back at the Kirrily Johnston show yesterday. To be fair, she shouldn't have been there at all. She blagged her way in; then expected top billing. Simich's patience was being tried, but ever the diplomat, he smiled through gritted teeth and found something more suitable for Madam in Row B. "B's the new A," he sing-songed.
American Brian-love-you-long-time-NZ-Long was sitting row B, with his boyfriend, and wasn't complaining. Madam puffed out her chest, quite satisfied she was in good company.
Long is back as an international delegate for another Fashion Week - his fourth, I believe. For the man whose claim to fame was styling Nicky Hilton (no, not Paris - the other one) some years ago, Long's done well on the Fashion Week gravy train. My cynicism just sees a lavish week's holiday holed up at The Westin Hotel and watching some great shows; but others in the know with more rose coloured specs tell me Long is influential. Though quite what his boyfriend offers, is lost on me.
The World show yesterday was the unmitigated success of the day. An extravaganza that brought it back to what it's all about: the show. Unlike other designers, Denise and Francis didn't need to desperately phone agents and TV publicity hounds to get their "stars" in the front row.
"We especially didn't invite any hanger-on celebrities," Denise told me. Those that were there - Carly Flynn, Kerre Woodham and her daughter Kate (in killer emerald-green short shorts), and Georgina Te Heuheu sitting front row - were handpicked guests of the designers. I spotted a make-up free Samantha Hayes sitting four rows back - not the power possie for a TV presenter, I'd have thought. Perhaps Simich - like me at first - didn't recognise Hayes without her made-up-TV-face, otherwise, surely she would have been front row fodder.
During the day I ran into Casey Green, Lana Coc-Croft, Amber Peebles and Jessie Gurunathan who brought some star glam to the day. But on the celebrity spotting front, it was small pickings for Day One at Fashion Week.
The woman's mag paparazzi snappers were looking depressed. That is, until the night shows rolled around and some more bankable stars came flocking: Miriama Smith, Ali Williams, Boh Runga and Campbell Smith front row at NomD; and Marcus Lush resplendent in orange at the Hailwood show afterwards. Last year it was fleuro green; this year the Southland star picked the colour of the season. Is Lush lapping up the fashion trends? Who'd have thought?
Later that night, it was beverages back at Chez Gluc - the Quadrant penthouse suite - with a dozen or so close friends. The evidence remains this morning. I'm tapping this blog out from a luxurious room with a divine harbour view and sunlight streaming in through my windows, which, selfishly is not helping my hangover. Presents from companies who've read this blog are sitting unwrapped on the dining table. The YSL beauty package is DIVINE. I'm a very lucky girl.
Today's shows look set to bring some excitement on the gossip front - the glam socialites and property wives at Trelise Cooper, and the too-cool-for-school kids at Stolen Girlfriends. I'll keep you posted on any juicy tidbits. Here's some pics from yesterday at Fashion Week:
Cybèle at Fashion Week 2008
Backstage beauty at World
Kirrily Johnston at Fashion Week 2008
Rachel Glucina
Pictured above: New Zealand All Blacks player Ali Williams and Casey Green watch the show during the Nom D collection show on the first day of Air New Zealand Fashion Week. Photo / Tim Hales - Getty Images.
