Expert Eye: Annah Stretton

A model wears a creation by Annah Stretton. Photo / Babiche Martens

Annah Stretton's show started with film images of its inspiration, Freda Stark, the gold-painted dancer who thrilled Auckland with her risque wriggling at The Civic in the 1940s.

The idea was a celebration of womanhood and an excuse to tress the models up in old-style corsetry.

The styling by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller gave a hint of frisson to a typical range of Stretton wear. Ruching, stretch lace, ruffled trim and some sharply cut coats and jackets were seen with Harris tweed and herringbone figuring.

The palette was muted, with plenty of nudes, often teamed with chocolate.

Deep V-wrap dresses had a 40s air, also a touch of the 1970s about them and low cut fronts and backs were filled in with nude mesh.

A petalled tutu, a bit of leopard print and black and white in a floral print and ragged edge dog-tooth check,diluted the message.

A recurring gilet in fur and lambskin (dyed in black, baby blue and pink variations) added an animalistic edge to this unfettered femininity.

To drive the message home, the show ended with two gold-painted models, one who was naked, shimmying down the runway.