Military touches are shorthand in high fashion for strength and confidence. Gurung added some exclamation points, specifically citing as his muse a woman in combat. There has been much in the news - and Gurung is a newshound - about the Pentagon's decision to open more on-the-ground options to women and also technological advances in women's body armour. "They're redesigning the whole uniform for women because all this while they've been wearing men's uniform,'' he said backstage. That led Gurung to think about women's empowerment, all the way to women he read about from the Ukraine who are coming together in self-defence against human trafficking. There were smart jackets with gold hardware and some with red-and-black brocades, crisp navy suits, and leather harnesses over stretch-crepe dresses with sexy slashes on the bodice and asymmetric peplums and hemlines. There had to be a little femininity mixed in with the aggressiveness, Gurung explained, because it's femininity that gives women their best tool "to rule a man's world.''

It was that easy: Stuart woke up one day thinking about how stylish British model Stella Tennant and her friends were, so Stuart thought she would create a wardrobe just for them. She aimed to dress an aristocratic fashion risk-taker for all those parties at castles in the English countryside. "I was thinking about the beautiful dinners and the charades she and her friends play, and the great performances they see at the end of the night,'' Stuart said backstage. Her offerings include a plum-coloured halter dress covered in satin flowers, a more tailored dress in black wool with more sharply cut flowers, and a white sheer man-tailored shirt paired with black evening shorts and a full-cut long black coat.

Miller's collection was called "Menswear With a Twist: Raiding the Boyfriend's Closet.'' It was the good girl meets bad boy, packing a wardrobe of tough leather jackets, pleated skirts and several fedoras for the adventure. No apologies to mum. There were particularly short knit dresses and a skin-hugging corset dress in a print called "tatooage,'' which looked exactly as it sounds. And there were outfits more in line with what's expected from Miller, including a long dress in a wallflower print with a ruffle front and a stretch-denim dress with sexy net inserts. The black matte-jersey, floor-length dress, with a dropped leather waist and notched V neck, that closed the show was the right high note to leave on. But where Miller saw "golf pants'' on a pair of loose baggy trousers paired with a burned out velvet-and-georgette blouse, the audience might have seen glorified sweats.

Giorgio Armani is not living up to his reputation — he’s late and he’s laughing. But his drive for perfection hasn’t changed, writes Luke Leitch.

The high-octane style of the late 70s and early 80s prevails this season as model Crystal Liu pays tribute to the doyennes of excess - exotic beauties such as Bianca Jagger, Marisa Berenson, Grace Jones, Pat Cleveland and Tina Chow.

They're young, gifted and dedicated. We put the spotlight on six music acts that have shaped their own sound and style, each with a unique sense of what it means to be an artist.

The high-octane style of the late 70s and early 80s prevails this season as model Crystal Liu pays tribute to the doyennes of excess - exotic beauties such as Bianca Jagger, Marisa Berenson, Grace Jones, Pat Cleveland and Tina Chow.

The best artists, graphic designers, tattooists and graffiti writers have splashed their skills on a pair of white trainers.

Take a look at this weeks fashion wrap.

They were little books that made fashion dreams come true for thousands of Kiwi women. Now, they're going home.

Dressing between seasons means making the most of versatile pieces from lightweight knitwear to chambray separates, the type of clothing items that work well in both cool and mild temperatures.

Dressing between seasons means making the most of versatile pieces from lightweight knitwear to chambray separates, the type of clothing items that work well in both cool and mild temperatures.

Fashions come and go, but for Evolution Clothing owner Miranda Cobb, they come and go more quickly than for most of us.

Brazilian beauty Gisele Bundchen has topped the list of the highest earning models for the seventh year in a row.

Take a look at this list of the top 10 highest paid models in the world.

Victoria's Secret Angel Erin Heatherton reveals behind-the-scenes at the label's lingerie shows can be hectic.

Be inspired by the style of these well-dressed men Viva spotted around town.

A Fashion A-Z of the 80s.

Designer Denise L'Estrange-Corbet is fighting Auckland Council to get back thousands of dollars paid in rates after a devaluation of the head office building for her label World.

To celebrate 50 years of success, the Italian tyre manufacturer praises the world's supermodels, exposing them in a sexy, yet discreet photoshoot by renowned fashion photographers Patrick Demarchelier and Peter Lindbergh.

Nike has pulled its tattoo-inspired sports gear for women after a backlash from the Pacific community.

Alexander McQueen has tapped Damien Hirst to create a series of limited-edition scarves for the accessory's 10th anniversary.

Rihanna has unveiled her new collection for UK label River Island in full. The singer has collaborated with the British high street store on a second clothing line for Autumn/Winter 2013. The line will be available in two separate drops throughout the season, with the first instalment coming in September and the second in November. Check out this behind the scenes video.

Rihanna's new range carries the same urban feel as her debut River Island offering, although this season her styles have a more glamorous and sporty edge.

Style File have been casting their eye over the stylish streets of Queenstown this week. Check out the street style and share your thoughts.

You've read the book, now you can wear the underwear as the official Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie collection is unveiled.

Beyonce Knowles has debuted a cute pixie crop. The stunning songstress took to Instagram to reveal her dramatic new hairstyle.

Flat shoes, from ballet flats to classic penny loafers, are seeing a resurgence of late as designers develop new ways to re-interpret flat shoes as an all-occasion option from work to weekend.