KEY POINTS:
Step right up, followers of fashion. Step right up and place your bets - here at Viva's annual Air New Zealand Fashion Week sweepstakes.
Think you know your mini from your midi? Believe you're a fashion fortune teller who can predict which trends will be most popular next year? Next week? Well, it's time to put your money where your pretty mouth is.
Although New Zealand's Fashion Week is ostensibly one of the first in the world to show the clothes we will be wearing next winter, there's no doubt that what happened previously on international runways has a big impact.
Which means that, at best, our most creative labels get a jump on everyone else.
And at worst, we get recycled looks from overseas that we could just as easily go to the local mall to see.
The following are a few predictions that you can bet on, and some you shouldn't wager with.
BOLD AND BLOCK COLOURS
The Odds (of seeing this at Fashion Week): 2 to 1.
The Form: Bright shades are in good shape. They've been extremely successful on international runways for the past two or three seasons and look likely to continue their winning streak here.
Having said that, New Zealanders are more likely to use them as accents rather than wearing all one colour, or all brights.
Additionally, although the New Rave neon and fluoro colours are popular in some circles, the majority of shoppers will favour what are called "jewel brights".
Want it now? Cybele, Mala Brajkovic and Hailwood.
GREY IS THE NEW BLACK
The Odds: 4 to 1.
The Form: Although it's still a strong trend, this look is getting a little long in the tooth - it has reached the chain stores and there was even a fair bit on the runways at last year's Fashion Week.
Want it now? It's everywhere. Just find some good-looking grey marl in the mall.
NEW LENGTHS
shows in Europe, where mini skirts dropped to a new "midi" length. Trousers shortened to just above the ankle.
It could canter into the lead because the new midi skirt length, which has the skirt hem sitting just above the knee, is far easier to wear than the mini.
The shortened trouser may take a little longer to catch on.
Want it now? Let your skirt hem down a few centimetres. Or roll your skinny trousers up.
LUXE SPORTSWEAR
The Odds: 3 to 1.
The Form: This trend has done well on recent runways and was considered a major international contender. And it has already made an appearance in various local collections. However, it is not necessarily for everyone and one suspects that, after several months in a cooling retail climate, a lot of local designers with lady customers may prefer not to take risks with modified tracksuit pants and sweat shirting tops that not everyone will understand.
Want it now? Kate Sylvester.
MELTING POT CHIC
The Odds: 8 to 1.
The Form: This looks excellent on paper and has galloped into just about every important fashion magazine. It's a distinctive look, epitomised by the work of pretty much just one label in Paris, Balenciaga. We may see versions - we're bound to see a few ethnic shawls on models - it seems unlikely anyone would be silly enough to copy it directly.
Want it now? Mix and match at vintage stores like Fast & Loose.
OVERSIZED KNITWEAR
The Odds: Hedge your bets.
The Form: Giant cardigans and jumpers threatened to drown skinny models on international runways. We're likely to see some chunky knits on our own runways but not as wild and artistic as the ones they were showing over there. And it's just not as cold here in New Zealand.
Want it now? Learn to knit and make your own.
FEATHERS
The Odds: 20 to 1.
The Form: Feathered hats, skirts, bags, dresses and accessories have been a big trend overseas. But, as one milliner recently reported to Viva, it's actually really hard to get hold of a good batch of feathers in New Zealand. Why? Import restrictions and all that, apparently.
Not to mention that New Zealanders generally don't really get dressed quite as glamorously as the plumage-loving ladies in Paris. So it seems unlikely that the feathery finery will be as popular here.
Want it now? This may take some effort. You may need to ask a milliner like Dolly Varden to make something for you.
THE NEW TROUSERS
The odds: 4 to 1.
The Form: Overseas everyone has been ranting on about how the new trouser shapes will save us from dieting death by skinny leg pants. What they were talking about was high-waisted, flared, baggy boyfriend-fit and even jodhpur-style pants. While the latter may take a while to catch on, there's no doubt we will be seeing some of these looser shapes, especially those that are easier for the everyday, pear-shaped woman to wear, such as the flare and the boyfriend leg.
Want it now? Zambesi for jodhpurs, Carlson for flared trousers and Huffer for boyfriend jeans.
TAILORING FROM THE 30S AND 40S
The Odds: 3 to 1.
The Form: Ladylike, flattering, easy to wear, romantic, retro - need we say more?
Of course we'll be seeing versions of this trend here. These are the sorts of clothes that sell and sell, which makes any sort of feminine tailoring or pretty power dressing a firm front-runner.
Want it now? Carlson.
TEXTURE
The Odds: 6 to 1.
The Form: Overseas this look hoofed it down the runway in the shape of fringing, quilting, beading and all sorts of futuristic fabric treatments. But there are two things that make it less likely at New Zealand Fashion Week. At one end of the designer scale, it's a subtle look that involves black on black on grey and is hard to translate on to the runway unless you have amazing fabric and manufacturing skills. And at the other end of the scale - where Prada made what appear to be orange fun-fur vests - it's too radical for local audiences.
Want it now? Zambesi and the Scotties boutiques.
COMING IN LAST
Looks we definitely won't be betting on in the future:
Smock tops and 60s looks. Bubble skirts, sleeves or anything else puffy. Overly exaggerated proportions. Too much tweed. Bohemian looks. Too many ruffles and frills.
