We had a chat to two of the designers taking part in the shows:
JAMES DOBSON of JIMMY D, A.OK - All On K Road
What was your inspiration for this collection?
SS13 'Gloom Generation: Reloaded' is a continuation and extension of the themes from last winter's collection - it's a kind of love letter to NYC with dripping donuts and some bursts of bright candy colours, S&M'esque belted neck detailing and a hefty dose of sporty gothicness. Within the collection there are humorous printed tee shirts through to silk draped dresses - I love it when it's all mixed together, but you really can take the collection in any direction you want.
What should we look out for during the show?
The soundtrack is pretty killer, mixed by good friend Tony 'T Bones', and we're excited to be working with M.A.C on a really strong makeup look and K Rd-based salon Vada for super sleek hair. Oliver Rose has come up with an incredible film that will be unveiled at the show. Nothing's getting watered down, we're all about delivering a strong directional experience for the audience.
What do you love about K Road?
Nowhere else in Auckland has the same character! K Rd has some of the best galleries, restaurants, cafe's and fashion in New Zealand, and it's all about independently run businesses. It's our city's creative hub and is vibrant and alive because of it.
I love that I don't really need to leave K Rd - we have great coffee, relaxed eateries like Coco's Cantina and Verona and bars like the Wine Cellar that are dripping with character. If you wanna get off the beaten track and find something completely unique, come to my neck of the woods, whether it be for high-end fashion, music or good food.
Why is it a fashion destination?
I strongly believe in any city in the world the best stuff is in the more creative areas - East London's Shoreditch/Hoxton is a personal fave - and K Rd is that for me. You get unique, independently owned boutiques owned by people that are passionate about what they do.
I've always loved that our store, Children of Vision carries my own label, alongside some of the most creative fashion from around the world (labels such as Bernhard Willhelm, Daniel Palillo, Peter Jensen, and locals like Company of Strangers, Deadly Ponies etc) all amidst a setting of galleries, strip clubs and bars - it's that incongruous mix that I really enjoy and is what gives K Road its eclectic vibe.
Have you seen any changes to the area relating to fashion/retail in the last few years?
I think it's more alive than ever, there's internationally award-winning architecture - The Iron Bank building - and new restaurants and cafes popping up all the time. People are recognising there's a lot more to K Road than vintage stores and sex shops and I wouldn't want Children of Vision and Jimmy D to be based anywhere else in Auckland.
ANDREA MOORE, Ponsonby Presents
What do you love about Ponsonby?
It's eclectic. Wonderful food, always something to look at, great shopping, not far from home - I love walking up the strip.
Why is it a fashion destination?
Because all the New Zealand labels are here, or represented, there are contrasts and variety, and you can always find a park.
Have you seen any changes to the area relating to fashion/retail in the last few years?
The landlords here have huge plans and with projects like Ponsonby Central and Mackelvie Street development there's a synergy happening that's very exciting.
What was your inspiration for your collection?
Scandinavia was a real inspiration this season. They have a tradition of mysterious stories and enchanted animals, quite Gothic and arcane, contrasted with a design aesthetic of such pure simplicity. And of course the whole region is so beautiful in winter.
What should we look out for from Andrea Moore during the shows?
We have some amazing leather harness-type shrugs with possum fur, our custom-dyed French lace, the swan and deerhead zips all made especially for us in Italy. And of course our beautiful bags and prints.
- VIVA
