Frantic rush behind the glamour

Cybele Wiren (L) makes final adjustments to her piece on Sydney-based model Charlotte Lohmann. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The seams have been tucked, the hemlines smoothed and the perfect accessories have been matched - it's New Zealand Fashion Week time again.

Some of the country's best fashion talent will have their stuff strutted over the next six days, as will one high-profile international designer set to make her Fashion Week debut.

Former Baywatch babe turned swimwear designer Pamela Anderson will show off a collection of characteristically skimpy swimwear on Friday.

And at least one fashionista can't wait for her to set a stilettoed foot on New Zealand soil. Auckland designer Adrian Hailwood reckons she will bring "star quality and a real Hollywood glamour" to fashion week.

"She's the biggest star we've had here. Everyone thinks she is a certain way, but she's not."

Mr Hailwood was hopeful Pammie - as she is known - will bring along one well-known friend and former Baywatch co-star.

"Hopefully she brings The Hoff (David Hasselhoff)."

The week's festivities begin in earnest at 11am tomorrow, when designer Cybele Wiren hosts the first runway show. The young designer was last night madly adding touches, perfecting fit and matching models to the 30-odd outfits she will showcase.

"People are often surprised we are working until the last minute. We're still making things," she laughed, pins in hand.

The ninth Fashion Week officially begins today, but the first designs will hit the runway tomorrow.

Cybele - who designs under her first name - said she was having a few nervous moments ahead of her show - the sixth she has done for Fashion Week.

Such is the tight timetable of Fashion Week that the womenswear designer is first-up in the Westpac tent tomorrow morning, yet only saw her entire collection of clothes on models for the first time yesterday afternoon.

The 33-year-old has been working on her range for five months, but only yesterday evening were the final touches and best strutting order for the 14 models decided.

Up-and-coming fashion students from design schools in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch would help her to perfect the outfitsfor the show, probably until late tonight.

And of course Fashion Week is not just about the clothes - stylists, set designers and music producers are working behind the scenes to set the mood for the chic show.

Fashion week highlights

Today

ANZFW 09 opening ceremony start at 7pm in Shed Two. It will include the Couture Challenge, where the people from Huffer, Sera Lilly and Stitch Ministry will have only one hour to create a designer garment. The opening will be followed by the first off-site show by Lonely Hearts.

Tomorrow

Cybele opens with the first runway show for the week in the Westpac tent at 11am. The Diet Coca-Cola Little Black Dress Show starts at 7pm.

Wednesday

The Carpenter's Daughter starts at 2.30pm in the Westpac tent. Followed by Trelise Cooper's show at 6pm.

Thursday

Pamela Anderson arrives to prepare for her Friday show. The inaugural Miromoda Awards Showcase will feature the creations of eight top Maori fashion designers. Show starts at 1pm. At 5pm, the GHD New Generation Group begins in the Westpac tent. Stolen Girlfriends Club's show at the Winchester bar in Newton.

Friday

Pamela Anderson and Richie Rich showcase a*muse at 5pm in the Westpac tent. Huffer off-site show.

Friday night (6pm - midnight) and Saturday (10am - 9pm)

Herald designer garage sale. Zambesi retrospective. Tickets are available from iticket.co.nz.

For more information visit: nzfashionweek.com