Rebecca Barry: Time to show a bit of chic

Exclusive: The very first report from the catwalks at next week's Fashion Week. Which hasn't started yet. But that's no reason not to let one's imagination run away with one...

Black is back, skinny is inny and cellulite shorts are the hot new trend launched at Fashion Week last night.

The stars were out in force, nibbling Korean oysters to try to perfect their figures before the show kicked off four hours late.

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour sat in the front row of the Zamsleazy show next to style icons Jessica Simpson, Mischa Barton and Shortland Street's favourite extra, Jason Mills.

Wintour appeared to approve of Zamsleazy's progressive new look: clean, 60s minimalism embossed with Vegas girl frills, multiple layering and jewel-encrusted accessories.

That means it's time to throw out skinny jeans, invest in a mink sleeping bag and invoke the streamlined look favoured by fashion luminary Mary-Kate Olsen (fat era). Or go for the edgy new dimpled look by cinching hotpants in at the thigh.

Makeup-wise, it's just as simple, but only for the ladies.

Celebrity male model Peter K wore this year's outrageous white powder look for men, inspired by events at the Auckland Viaduct.

Insiders say the Vogue editor's favourite was the elegant collection by Elise Poopers-Cooper. Inspired by the polygamists of Utah from TV2 drama Big Love, models sported head-scarves, floor-length skirts and vintage, housewife shirts.

"The women of Utah are undeniably sexy," said Poopers-Cooper. "By swathing their bodies in denim and French-braiding their hair, they are irrefutably sending the message, 'I'm a tease'. No wonder these women have so many children."

Streetwear label Fluffer launched a risque look with designs inspired by Steve Crow's Boobs on Bikes parade, featuring Rodney Hide on a Harley.

Fluffer also made New Zealand fashion history by launching a canine lingerie label, Doggie Style. Wealthy pet-owners can now indulge in poodle-abras and diamond-studded microchips.

But it was Sharon Corker's controversial show that had everyone talking. In collaboration with Footpath magazine, models as young as 13 were sent down the catwalk, where they were splashed with buckets of housepaint from her home decorating range and smothered in feathers that dropped from the ceiling.

"This is the future of fashion," gushed international buyer Simone Lucier of Parisian label Virginie.

She wasn't the only impressed buyer. "New Caledonian fashion has truly come of age," said a geographically confused Raquel Berger of German boutique Slutzen Hoares.

"Your designers have marked out their territory on the world stage, and I'm not just talking about the dog-wear range."

She did not buy any pieces.