I am someone who really appreciates the small things in life. Waking up to eager sunshine, carrying a weighty new British Vogue under my arm or the smell of baking brioche, are all things that I believe can make everyday life a little brighter. It is for this reason that I always like to have fresh flowers and cute ornaments scattered around my bedroom.
Jordan
Also in at Mag Nation is Issue #12 of TWILL. It's a hearty beast too, and one that we are honoured to be included alongside at F-Tape as one of the leading independent fashion magazines in the world. Equally essential...
Shaun Pettigrew is one of New Zealand's great creative photographers. If you own a copy of Issue 9 of Black Magazine you may remember his 6 page editorial with designer Fletcher Vaughan entitled Rebuild. The story conceptualised materialism, and the human necessity for ownership and in turn, waste. Shaun is currently shooting a bunch of TV commercials as well as finalising his epic documentary on legendary goth rockers Killing Joke but he still finds time to concept and deliver amazing photographic art projects - just for the hell of it. So when he sent through these pics from his latest project Flower War we simply had to publish them here on Blacklog. So what is a Flower War? "The Aztec ruling elite invented the custom of the "Flower War" during a drought-induced famine and times of economic hardship. The death of warriors was described in terms of intoxicating beauty, the dying rain down like flowers" says Shaun. Beautiful...
The eminent Opening Ceremony has just collaborated with director Spike Jonze to create a limited edition collection inspired by my favourite childhood book, Where the Wild Things Are. The range includes faux fur coats, fur trimmed dresses and freaky jewellery. They even designed a unisex playsuit like the one Max wears, which comes complete with an eared hood and furry tail. I don't know who would ever wear it, but it's a funny idea.
I'm kinda sick of everyone talking about the Where the Wild Things Are film (coming out 3rd of December), but this range makes me want to see it even more!
Jordan Rondel
All images: Steve King
The show, styled by Rachael Churchward, opened with a woolen coat; exactly the kind I've been searching for all winter. From that moment I knew it was going to be an outstanding collection and that Huffer had revamped its look. I was right. The clothes seemed much more sophisticated and sexy than I recall them ever being, with a new edge redefining the meaning of street wear. This probably owes a lot to the expert styling.
The look for the girls appeared to be influenced by the 60s, with bed hair, heavy eye-liner, black and white stripes and thigh-high socks. We saw a lot of provocative satin, suspenders, night wear and lingerie. The guys' look was clean, fun and colourful, with chunky knitwear pieces, lots of denim, and beanies. It was very much a wearable collection, whilst still being witty and fresh, which is what the label is all about.
How beautiful are these? Trelise Cooper Kids...
It poured, it rained, it was hot and heavy - and that was just the fashion. Stolen Girlfriend's Club proved, along with Huffer this week, that boys are taking over New Zealand fashion. OK they are getting some female help from the likes of Karen Inderbitzen-Waller, Kristine Crabb, Zara Mirkin, Ella Moore and Rachael Churchward but the best ideas this week were born in the surf, or at least the creative minds of designers like Marc Moore, Luke Harwood and Dan Gosling. Stolen Girlfriend's Club's Welcome To Nowhere show at the dirty old Masonic Lodge in Newton was conceptually brilliant and a huge step forward for the talented threesome. The knits alone were worth the outdoor soaking, uncomfortable wait in a holding pen and cattle-like entry-and-exit scenario, and overall the range was one of the most complete fashion concepts at this year's ANZFW. Much has been made of SGC's 'bad boy image' - and the perception that the name describes the technique when it comes to creating or designing - but Welcome To Nowhere was filled with raw concepts and unique creativity. Long may the doors to this particular clubhouse remain open...here comes the stolen fashion generation.
Like Zambesi the night before, and Nom D earlier in the day, Kate Sylvester did not disappoint her legion of faithful fans with a strong show in an inner city warehouse. Conceptually the range and styling was a tribute to one of Auckland's foremost style leaders - "Black Lips" herself, the ever fabulous Judith Baragwanath. For many years the model, turned style icon and writer, was the most individual dresser in town and has long been admired for her satorial panache so it was great to see Kate Sylvester tipping a hat in her direction. The event had a festival atmosphere and without a doubt, the most stylish audience yet. Set to a soundtrack of fuzz rock classics, Sylvester, with the help of long time cohort Karen Inderbitzen-Waller, rolled out a substantial collection which ended with troupe of models stomping down both runways. A highlight for the crowd it seemed was male model PC cruising the catwalk in a women's full slip and boots - and - in a fashion week strangely lacking in goodie bags (recession, I know) the three KS medals have undoubtedly been a highlight already
We're out and about with the Sony Alpha picking up our choice of great personal style all week. Images from Day 1 on site and Zambesi last night - cue Tammy and the lovely Keisha above - can be found on The Black Eye each night, or as soon as we get a chance to post them.
Here's a pre-show shot of the first looks for the Twenty Seven Names show. The girls behind the label, Rachel and Anjali, claimed the sixties as inspiration for the collection named Butter Not Bombs. It opened with all the models walking out together in a parade of ultimate cool. I'll be honest, I did get a few goosebumps. It was a rebellious yet pretty array, with one foot in tailoring, the other in grunge. The garb was teamed with burly black Doc Martins or white Chucks making it effortless for the models to stomp down the runway and own it. We saw trench coats, suit pants, oversized shirts and chunky knits as well as some lace, velvet and bodices. Twenty Seven Names shows always have the best music and this one was no exception. I loved every minute of it.
Jordan Rondel
Lonely Hearts kicked off fashion week last night with a film installation at the Process showroom. The screens showing the video were enclosed in a circular section cut off by spooky film tape hanging from the ceiling. It was packed with people, but what I caught a glimpse of proved that Lonely Hearts is just as clever, nonconformist and damn hot as ever.
