Winter doesn't last forever - time to turn up the heat

Deborah Sweeney goes a little bit country and a little bit 60s elegance in her collection.

You're probably wondering how long that stupid flu is going to make your nose run. Or whether it will still be snowing for that planned ski weekend.

Well, leading New Zealand labels are way ahead of you. Over the next few weeks the winter sales will cough up their last few bargains before making way for summer collections. So even though it's cold outside, it's time to get in the mood for next summer's fashion.

BETH ELLERY

Thoughts on your summer collection:

Pretty dresses and tailored jackets, which is why the range is called Ladies and Gentlemen. I want men to open doors for the women who dress from this range.

It's cold and wet outside, so what do you think about when you're designing for summer?

I love the way summer weather makes going out so easy and pleasant. No planning, no wishing you had brought a coat, no losing scarves or stomping around on the pavement to smoke. Just putting on a dress and leaving the house.

Which items from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

A sunfrock that ties at the shoulders and at the waist with little draped pockets. It comes in black and in polka-dot silk. My personal favourite is a navy dress with cream spots, very slim and tailored. We've used lots of spots and although I think polka dots can look sweet and playful, we've tried to make them look grown up and sophisticated as well. Ladylike rather than Lolita-like.

Your pick for the best between-seasons garment?

A black linen jacket. We've also done a tuxedo jacket for women that doesn't close, just two thirds of a jacket really - it's very, very slick and feminine. All those drinks before Christmas, you really need a dress and a jacket. Or maybe just a dress and a man with a jacket.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

Shaving your legs is rather a summer thing to do, isn't it? That's how I'll prepare for summer - I'll wear a dress, shave my legs and find my fit-over sunglasses.


MISS CRABB

Thoughts on your summer collection:

It's called Debutante Blues Summer 0666 and about this aristocratic teen getting into heavy metal and rolling with the bogan styles. So think West Auckland, David Lynch, bourgeois interiors, leather and lace. I'm also going a little androgynous too, like wearing your boyfriend's clothes - a foray into the world of unisex.

It's cold and wet outside, so what do you think about when you're designing for summer?

I'm usually thinking about the stinking heat and having a drink and what I would feel like wearing. Flings, you know? And I have a group of fine ladies and ask myself about them: 'Would they wear this? What would they wear with that?'

What are you most looking forward to this summer? And what will you be wearing?

Skipping down the road in the sunshine. And I'll be in one of our tie-on, see-through silk numbers.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

Come to Tokyo in winter. It's amazing. Kristine Crabb, designer of the Miss Crabb label, is there now. If you can't get the time off, dye your hair blond.

Your favourite summer flavour:

Kissing.


KINGAN JONES

Thoughts on your summer collection:

Film noir - irresistibly dramatic and dangerously attractive. Accent is on the waist, highlighted by the voluminous striped silk habutai sundress, high-waisted skinny-leg trouser and pleated pencil skirt.

It's cold and wet outside, so what do you think about when you're designing for summer?

Usually holidays in Fiji or South Africa. And the perfect outfit to throw on for some sunset cocktails.

Which items from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

The silk georgette Ailsa dress. It's a beautiful, ethereal and feminine dress with an open back and flowing out from the waist. Ideal for any summer occasion.

Your pick for the best between-seasons garment?

The Blink dress. It's a pinafore-style dress that buttons down the front. It would be great to wear now over a long-sleeve turtle-neck or in high summer with bare legs and flats.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

Buy some daffodils, get out your summer holiday photos, turn up the heaters and enjoy a tall gin and tonic.


RUBY

Thoughts on your summer collection:

The girls at Ruby say that this summer a free spirit is taking over. It's all about treating every moment like it is your last, letting your hair down and hitting the road. And there's a hint of peace, love and rock'n'roll, fused with the usual girlie feel.

It's cold and wet outside, so what do you think about when you're designing for summer?

We concentrated on the holidays. We wanted to create the perfect suitcase brimming with summer dresses, shorts, singlets and bikinis, basically everything you'd need if you could be on holiday all summer long.

Which items from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

I think our summer print Steaming Hearts will be very popular. I also love the Three Dress, a cool summer dress with a slightly higher waist, trimmed with beautiful broderie anglaise. In the Madame Hawke by Ruby range, the Lady Dress is the definite must-have. It's sunshine yellow - get a tan and wear that dress and you're bound to get attention.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

I think in winter it's important to look after yourself, especially your skin. Keep moisturising and try to keep up with exercise. But it is winter, so if you feel like drinking red wine and staying indoors you should do just that.


DEBORAH SWEENEY

Thoughts on your summer collection:

Summer beach walks and tramping through the Wellington hills inspired this collection, aptly titled Happy Valley. It's a little bit country and a little bit 60s elegance.

Which items from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

The check romper suit - perfect for summer barbecues. Or wear it with clogs to a party. Or better still, for building sandcastles on the beach.

Your pick for the best between-seasons garment?

One of our cardigans. There are a bunch of different versions for summer. One has little bows, another is trimmed with lace at the neck and has little glass buttons and there's also a ruffle-front version.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

Buy a bunch of spring flowers. Freesias have a great aroma, perfect for getting you primed up for summer.

Your favourite summer flavour?

There are loads - sizzling barbecues in the neighbourhood, fresh strawberries and the smell of cut freshly cut grass.


KATE SYLVESTER

Thoughts on your summer collection:

The collection looks towards the East, with a variety of Chinese influences, and includes sarongs and wrap dresses, satins and brocades alongside shirtwaisters and pinafores in cottons and knits.
Sylvester - the younger, diffusion line - focuses on a younger sister in the swinging 60s. Her wardrobe is a dress-up box of pop art, baby-doll dresses, tomboy canvas shorts, polka dots and stripes.

Which item from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

In the Kate Sylvester range, it's our embroidered satin Tiffany dress - it's a killer, hour-glass sex bomb.

Your pick for the best between-seasons garment?

I think everyone needs our Bic cardigan, essential for wearing over summer dresses until the weather warms up.

What are you most looking forward to this summer? And what will you be wearing?

Diving into the surf at Langs Beach. I'll be in Sylvester techno-leopard print bathers. The Sylvester range is all about dresses to throw on over your togs or shorts with your bikini. We've even designed the swimwear to complete the look.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

Listen to Fleetwood Mac.

Your favourite summer flavour:

Sun-ripened peaches.


KAREN WALKER

Thoughts on your summer collection:

We were inspired by pickpockets and the revolutionaries of the old black and white movies, especially Harpo Marx and Charlie Chaplin.

Which items from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

I think the chiffon dresses will all be popular and the black, shiny, lurex knit singlet dress will be in hot demand too.

Your pick for the best between-seasons garment?

The dresses normally sell out pretty fast so I wouldn't wait around for them.

What are you most looking forward to this summer? And what will you be wearing?

Sitting in the backyard with a few friends, or just with a good book, sounds pretty good to me. For that I'd be wearing one of the light cotton dresses.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

On a recent beautiful day I lay outside in the sun reading for half an hour. And even though I had on about three layers of clothes it did feel vaguely summery for a minute there. So I'd say, grab those little moments when you can.

Your favourite summer flavour:

The smell of the manuka blossom in my garden, which is five hectares of mainly manuka bush - always says summer's here. It's a fragrance that manages to be subtle and overwhelming all at the same time. But most of all I love it when the dozens of tui come back to the garden for the flax and pohutakawa flowers in summer. That's a great day, when you hear the first tui of the season.


ZAMBESI

Thoughts on your summer collection:

In the broadest terms the collection was inspired by the concept of zoi, a Greek word meaning life. More specifically, the collection reflects designer Elisabeth Findlay's Greek heritage.

It's cold and wet outside, so what do you think about when you're designing for summer?

In this case we thought a lot about that amazing, languid, sensual feeling you get after a holiday in the sun, particularly somewhere exotic like the Greekisles. It's thoughts like the warmth of your skin, firstly from the sun, and later from the cocktails that start a little earlier each day you're away. And the way that the air is still balmy well after the sun goes down. And the way you always wish your hair looked so effortlessly natural and fabulous on any day in the city.

Which items from your summer collection will everyone be gagging for?

The Athenian, a pleated georgette tunic that's so versatile. Kept simple, it works over swimsuits, a slip, or skinny pants. Combine it with the Escapade bustier and a shaped leather belt and you're ready for a fabulous night out.

Your pick for the best between-seasons garment?

A pair of the new Costume National patent leather pumps. They'll instantly update any summer wardrobe, but you can start wearing them now with thick opaque tights or skinny jeans.

Your advice on how to get a little bit of summer into your life before the actual season?

Go for a drive somewhere remote and eat a hokey-pokey icecream.

Favourite summer flavour:

A new-potato salad like Elisabeth's mama used to make.