Expert Eye: Trelise Cooper

A model wears a creation by Trelise Cooper. Photo / Getty Images

High hair, high heels, for high, old times. Trelise Cooper delivered on the expected glitz at a celeb-studded show.

Keisha Castles Hughes sat frontrow wearing a dress shown as part of the parade of Deco-inspired evening wear. Hers was a black silk-satin with gold sequins coiled at the neckline.

A 30s vibe was one of the few clear influences among the manifold looks Cooper mines.

The movie Atonement was an influence, seen in the fluid longer pieces, print frocks (including a cute flying duck pattern) and felt jackets and coats.

Suiting came with the strong shoulder line and peplum jackets of the era and was also evident in the Balmain shoulder that more closely references the power silhouette of the 80s. This too explained some acid brights and full-on floral prints.

Inky blue was the colour that worked most elegantly in everything from a micro mini-crini worn over a nude mini shift, to 30s day dresses in wool jersey. Cream and black also figured strongly.

Coats had the usual military touches and were embroidered or sequin-trimmed for evening.

In the Cooper collection, which preceded the main line, biker jackets reoccurred in pink leather, emerald felt, denim and studded black leather.

The shoes were the highest of the week, platform heels, including a basketball boot-style with more lift than Michael Jordan.

Grant Bettjeman also took hair to new heights, teasing it into towers.

The glamazon models managed impressively, including Christobelle, Laura and Hosanna from New Zealand's Next Top Model, but I was told backstage they were stumbling off.

It was another Cooper extravaganza, clocking in at 35 minutes - about three times the average show length.

Fans undoubtedly have plenty to choose from, with some beautiful individual garments, but this was a year when I felt less wowed than overwhelmed.