We love it when a designer has a back-story for her collection, and this winter Alexandra Owen has channelled healthy English gels.

Photos from behind the scenes at Annah Stretton's show during NZ Fashion Week 2009.

The instructions to Annah Stretton's creative crew says it all: "Think of the infamous Forties burlesque dancer, Freda Stark".

Photos from behind the scenes at Twenty-seven names and Juliette Hogan.

It was all about occasion dressing at Basquesse this year, with fascinators and sequins in no short supply.

Six Fashion Week style-setters let us in on their secrets to looking good for the long haul

Group shows are sometimes problematic, but Twenty-seven names and Juliette Hogan twinned well.

Designer Cybele Wiren has cornered a market in fluid silk pieces cunningly cut to drape beautifully.

Hair is massively – painfully even- backcombed in the style of the poet-girlfriends assembled in some smoky bar.

Photos from behind the scenes at the Cybele show.

Victorian ladies just emerging from a period in mourning: what a charming way to kick off the first show.

The air kisses and the 'sweetie, darhling' greetings are back, reports Rachel Glucina from Fashion Week 2009.

The threat of a US lawsuit and crippling money troubles might have sunk others. But Rachel Easting and Anjali Stewart, the new darlings of the fashion industry, are survivors, writes Sharon Stephenson

Photos of the Zambesi show - which brought some much needed theatrics to the first day of last year's NZ Fashion Week.

Photos from the Alexandra Owen show at last year's NZ Fashion Week.

Photos from the Juliette Hogan show at last year's NZ Fashion Week.

Photos from the Twenty-seven names show at last year's NZ Fashion Week.

Designs by Sable & Minx on the runway at last year's NZ Fashion Week.

View the first photos from Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2009, courtesy of the Cybele collection.

It's Fashion Week again, replete with celebrities, wannabes and, of course, the frocks...

Kirsha Whitcher of Salasai references the past in her latest fashion collection, and in her own cherished belongings.

The seams have been tucked, the hemlines smoothed and the perfect accessories have been matched - it's NZ Fashion Week again.

A career in fashion public relations means Francesca Bowden always looks the part.

World designer Denise L'Estrange Corbet has accused Fashion Week organisers of "bullying" a sponsor into pulling out of a business deal.