KEY POINTS:
Viva's Zoe Walker will provide commentary on all of this year's shows at Air New Zealand Fashion Week, so keep checking back...
So here we are again: Fashion Week 2008. Another four days of fast shows, high heels and lots of swilling of Moet champagne.
The week was officially opened last night, at a swanky (albeit relatively small compared with previous years) function, where designers mingled with media, buyers and general hangers-on.
Most of the designers I spoke to were in a general state of panic (one young designer is terrified no one will turn up to her show) - well all except for Juliette Hogan, who will show today at 5pm. "I've still got to do all my alterations and buy all the stockings - but I'm not stressed."
Nom*D and Cybèle were named as the winners of the Air New Zealand Export Awards - two designers definitely deserving of the funds.
Nom*D celebrated their twenty first birthday last year with a retrospective show - I can't wait to see what they do this year.
And Cybèle Wiren, pregnant with her first baby, has been on my list of most talented New Zealand designers for several years.
I saw her design assistant get teary eyed as Wiren gave her acceptance speech. The pair excitedly told me afterwards they will use the award money to help their expansion into Japan.
I'm about to head off to the first show of the week, World.
Apparently the models have been here since 4.30am, for the 11am show - so expect over-the-top makeup and hair.
Here we go!
