World show a late night moment of rare bliss

By FIONA HAWTIN


World set itself up as a hard act to follow with a late salon show that was a rare moment of fashion bliss.

"Very Paris," said Susan Wood from the Northern Club as 200 people crammed into the small, stately room with a portrait of the Queen overhead.

The Monday night show set the audience alight and came after State of Grace's feminine water-themed silk offerings.

World design duo Denise L'Estrange-Corbet and Francis Hooper did their best to revisit the intimate atmosphere of showings in Coco Chanel's heyday, but with their usual theatrical presentation on high-voltage setting.

Their ready-to-wear offered everyday wearable denim teamed with candy colours, as well as tailored floral, tweed, cord and houndstooth jackets, minis and MC Hammer low-crotch pants.

Models aged 60-plus wore their minis and fishnets well, and challenged concepts of who fits fashion. It helped that they had good legs.

The couture section gave the fashion set the thrill of knowing what one of innovative Christian Dior designer John Galliano's shows must be like.

The outrageous gowns were like beautiful birds. They included a harlequin sequinned number and a pale lilac gown open all the way down one side.

Expatriate artist Brent Lawler was responsible for the equally spectacular hair and makeup.

But it was the menswear, worn by models made up to look like sleazy Cuban sailors you wouldn't want your daughter associating with that made the audience gasp.

The glitter suits, a collaboration with artist Reuben Paterson, were like the exquisite Easter egg wrappers children covet. The blue palm tree one was a masterpiece.

Herald Feature: New Zealand Fashion Week

L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week official site