KEY POINTS:
Blonde-on-blonde
The former supermodel, the former wannabe singer, and the famous ex-wife. What a line-up of lookers as Rachel Hunter was front-row with her family on one side, and girls-about-town Aja Rock and Nicky Watson on the other. Say what you like about the girl from Glenfield, she sure can do glam when she bothers. At the Yvonne Bennetti show she was in sequins and towered above the competition, though Nicky also scrubbed up well. As to Rachel and Rod Stewart's offspring, they behaved like proper Kiwi kids, not a hint of Hollywood brattiness. Perhaps that was because leggy Renee and younger brother Liam, a cutey with floppy hair and braces, had grandmum Janeen sitting with them.
Stripped bare
If models don't eat, then how come there were heated words backstage over who should get the lean pickings available? Dressers, who work long hours, often as volunteers, wanted their share too. Later, most were sent packing from the Nom*D show, which was brilliantly styled by its own team led by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller. Only problem was, when it came to the next show with its 80 outfits, there was only a handful of dressers left on site. That was just one of the reasons the crowd of around 1000 waiting for Yvonne Bennetti queued for well over an hour. The other reasons: sweeping up the salt left on the runway after the Nom*D show, and sorting out a seating shambles. The Rachels of the world aside, this year the word is that some celebs may well find themselves back in row B, out of the way of overseas guests.
Switched on
We've said it before, but celebrity models are not usually a good idea. So far this year, we've been spared any truly embarrassing efforts, with TVNZ's Miriama Kamo managing a popular turn for Mena during the Style Pasifika segment. Her smile was a bit high-wattage for the usual model pose, but it fitted right in with the relaxed vibe.
Blog - the new black
Everyone is in on the act with online fashion blogs, but the first designer to join the trend is Tanya Carlson. She is sharing an insight into preparations for her show on Thursday on www.yahoo.extra.co.nz. We recommend the Herald online for blogs, extended reviews and commentary from Viva's Cathrin Schaer. Go to www.nzherald.co.nz/fashionweek07
Lounging about
After-show hospitality is all part of the week and the hot ticket is to the Air New Zealand lounge, decked out to remind visitors of a Kiwi bach, but with canapés and cocktails crafted by the Hilton's executive chef Bernard Bernabe of White restaurant. Also worth schmoozing into are the Herald's all-white Inkroom, where guests get pampering sessions from Servilles, Napoleon and Guinot. Rachel Hunter took time out there. Off-site, the newly opened Westin Hotel is doing its best to snare a bit of the action, hosting functions and invitation-only after-parties, Trelise Cooper had her swishy affair there last night.
Fashion Week 4U
To find out more about how you can participate in the public days on Friday and Saturday, check out www.nzfashionweek.com, and for information on the Designer Garage Sale on the same days, take a look at www.designergaragesale.co.nz
