Dress ups

Author Stacey Gregg wears custom-made Zambesi dress. Photo / Babiche Martens

Stacy Gregg

Fashion writer-turned-children's fiction author Stacy Gregg knows the power of a good dress. Before publishing her internationally successful Pony Club Secrets series and trading fashion shows for pony rides, it was her job to cover and report on all things fashion. The chance of a one-to-one interview with Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld at the Dom Perignon ball in Los Angeles in 2006 saw her on the look out for a very special gown to wear - which she found at Zambesi.

"I had fallen in love with this deep pink silk floor-length gown that had been the star piece in Zambesi's fashion week show a few months beforehand.

"It was the 2006 winter collection at the St James theatre - it was a very rock 'n' roll runway show with Pluto playing as the models stalked onstage. When the pink gown came out it was such a standout - elegant but kind of punk at the same time - a very P.J Harvey look. I loved the dress, so I asked Liz Findlay if she'd make a similar dress for me to meet Karl," explains Gregg.

Borrowing pieces from a designer for a special event is something fashion insiders do every now and then, but this was the first and only time Gregg had a dress specially made for her.

"Liz is amazing to work with. She suggested we do a one-off version of the dress tailored to fit me but in a different colour. I remember being in her workroom as she pulled rolls and rolls of the most amazing fabrics off the shelves - we both loved the dark petrol blue silk straight away.

"She had to add a clasp at the bust because instead of a flat model's chest I have unfashionably large breasts that kept threatening to escape from the elegant gown. It's probably the most cleavage-exposing dress I own - I tend to wear big necklaces with it to cut back on the amount of skin I've got on show!"

The promised sit-down interview with Lagerfeld didn't end up happening, but Gregg still managed to get something out of him.

"It turned out that Karl had promised all these journalists that he would do interviews but of course he had no intention of doing so, and instead we had to chase him around the garden to get quotes like a Benny Hill skit.

"I remember racing after him across the sloping lawn in my floor-length gown and Sergio Rossi heels, trying to elbow a camera crew out of my way. I asked him how often he drank Champagne - and he told me he never drank it at all - he only drank diet Coke - which wasn't exactly supporting the sponsors product!"

Gregg has worn the dress since - to the launch party for her fashion website Runway Reporter in 2006 - and also lent it out a couple of times.

"My sister wore it in LA to an art party, so the dress officially has a more glamorous life than I do," says Gregg, whose eighth book in the Pony Club Secrets series will be released next month.

"I don't really have much call for ball gowns now. These days I mostly wear jodhpurs and gumboots."

Rose McIver

You may not know Rose McIver's name yet, but by the end of the year you most certainly will. The 21-year-old actress is set to make her big screen debut when Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lovely Bones premieres in London on November 24.

McIver plays Lindsey Salmon, the younger sister of Susie, a murdered teenager who watches over her family from heaven as they come to terms with her death.

Based on the best-selling book released in 2002, the film also stars Susan Sarandon, Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz and is set to be released in New Zealand next month.

Most of us will struggle to decide on an outfit for the office Christmas party, so what do you choose to wear to the royal gala premiere of one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year - with the Queen in attendance? Can you say pressure?

But for McIver, who at the age of five played a role in The Piano and has also appeared in commercials and TV shows, choosing a gown for one of the most special nights of her life was surprisingly easy.

"My only criterion was that it had to be something appropriate for a very formal occasion that I could walk in easily," she explains. The answer was a beautiful floor-length Juliette Hogan pleated gown, made especially for McIver by the designer.

"Given that it's a premiere, red-carpeted event with the Queen in tow, we thought something long would be perfect," explains Hogan, who says she knew her design sense would fit with McIver's sweet personality straight away.

"We ended up mixing up a top from a previous design with the skirt from the long pleated dress from this past Fashion Week. I really think she will look stunning - and the pleats kicking around her legs as she walks along the carpet will look divine. I think it's really important for the person wearing the dress to feel completely comfortable and happy. It's a pretty big event for her, so she needs to feel really at home in what she's wearing."

It was Hogan's feminine and wearable aesthetic - plus several recommendations from friends - that appealed to McIver. "The aspect of her designs that most appeals to me is her palette, I love the understated colours. I also really like her demure, feminine aesthetic and the functionality of the pieces."

Of course McIver could have had her pick of plenty of fancy international labels, something which Hogan says is particularly exciting.

"It's really flattering to have someone choose you to design a dress for them for such an important event - especially when I'm sure she could have chosen from anyone."

For McIver, the choice to go local was a no-brainer.

"I'm always eager to promote New Zealand talent. When there is a wealth of design and craftsmanship in New Zealand, why look afield?"

Deanna Didovich

As the designer for Ruby, Deanna Didovich designs many a great little party dress - but her personal favourite is one from the past with much sentimental value. Originally owned by her Baba (grandmother), the 1960s style cocktail dress by New Zealand label Camette with crepe pleat detail skirt and sequin embellished black lace bodice was recently passed down to Didovich by her mother.

"I love the back neck label - it's slightly discoloured now, but is in a cool retro font with a lady holding a mirror inside the C. I adore little extras like this that are so prevalent in vintage clothing, and the amazing detail and craftmanship from this time. Everything just looks so lovingly made."

"I love black lace and when my mum showed me this little gem I fell in love with it. There is an understated timelessness about it that I really appreciate," says Didovich, who has also had vintage furs and jewellery passed down to her from family.

"My Baba and I were very close; she passed away when I was 12 so anything that belonged to her is very special to me. She was a big influence in my interest in fashion and materials.

"I still have so many little outfits she made for me when I was young, like sailor dresses, romper suits, smock tunics... there are a few in particular that I am planning on making my size to wear now!"

Didovich hasn't yet worn the dress out, but expects to wear it this party season having just recently had it altered to fit perfectly. "I think I will put it aside until I have something ideal to wear it to. At the same time my mum gave me this dress, I also found a vintage black lace mantilla that I think would look perfect with it.

"I feel like the dress is something I will have in my wardrobe for many years, and I'm sure it will create some great memories for me until I'm ready to pass it on again."