The Zonta Club of Metropolitan Dunedin's Extraordinary Fashion event last week served up the best for summer, reports Jude Hathaway.
Temperatures outside were well below average but there was no stopping spring sweeping on to the catwalk at the annual Extraordinary Fashion event in Dunedin last Thursday night, as a 400-strong crowd took over the historic Kensington Army Hall.
The new venue provided a fresh dynamic for the 11th annual show, as did the nostalgic 1940s theme, while the strong army presence was another highlight.
But, it was the fabulous clothes, paraded by Ali McD models, that shone most strongly. Donna Tulloch was back with her selection of splendid Mild Red clothes, as was Tanya Carlson with the latest Carlson summer range.
Equally distinctive was Charmaine Reveley's summer "Rush" range.
From Queenstown came Claire Bloom's "New York" collection, while from Arrowtown Tamsin Cooper's beautiful coats and accessories gave a touch of lux.
Dunedin's Wendy Jones came through strongly with her F>CTOR clothes which were among the line-up from her White By Design store, which also featured Annette Cadogan's delightful Iris collection.
Marie Strauss showed off offerings from her Dada range, alongside other top labels from the Dada boutique.
It was also good to see Sarah Aspinall's edgy Company Of Strangers range from Plume, and Miromoda award-winner Amber Bridgman who presented her strongly Maori influenced hand-printed Kahuwai clothing.
Designer boutique Belle Bird produced some gems, as did a selection from third-year fashion students from the Otago Polytechnic School of Design.
Show stalwarts included Waugh's fashion store, its delightful women's and children's wear shown off by models escorted by army personnel.
Also escorted were Zonta members who showed off great race wear from Arthur Barnett, which also paraded men's and women's outfits.
Adding further substance was the first-time presentation of hair glamour from Zaibatsu Hair Art, which also attended to the models' hair.
The show, produced by Victoria Bunton, of Sequel Events, with makeup by Aliana McDaniel, was spiked with the fashion flair that has come to be expected of the annual event.
