London's calling Walker and Zambesi

By FIONA HAWTIN

Before really thinking about the looming L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week, Karen Walker and Zambesi had to focus on their off-schedule shows during last week's London Fashion Week.

Both labels received rave reviews from the fashion people who matter.

Walker, who chooses to show off-schedule because the labels that do are generally the "cool, young sort of guys" as opposed to fashion's establishment, was thrilled with the way things went.

"It was our best event ever."

Teams from The Face, I.D., Elle and Vogue magazines were there in force.

"The fashion directors and editors were there rather than who was on reception that day [as often happens]."

Walker's Northern Hemisphere spring/summer collection was held at the Parlour, a restaurant in W1. Called Queenie Was a Dog, the range was influenced by the "plucky little orphan Annie versus the gin-soaked machinations of Miss Hannigan".

Young girls thinking of running away with the circus should be seen in her pony, puppy and balloon prints, denim, chiffon and dust-coloured satins. The scary fairground attraction theme was a hit at the packed event.

Zambesi showed its Audition summer collection to a crowd of 200, with live music by Bic Runga, at Antipodium boutique in Hoxton.

The range, some of it in-store locally now, mixes masculine separates with delicate, ephemeral, fluid layers that drape the body with functional sportswear in watery, blues and greens.

The gathering included buyers from Selfridges, House of Fraser and Charlotte Smith.

Alicia Joseph of Surface magazine didn't know what to expect but was impressed with the feminine, edgy pieces. "I will be placing my order," she says.

Herald Feature: New Zealand Fashion Week

L'Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week official site