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There was a good retrospective of New Zealand Fashion Week in the New Zealand Heralds Viva this morning highlighting the last 10 years. We have shown on a couple of occasions so it was nice to be included in the wrap up.
Doing shows is an enormous adrenalin rush and the culmination of a heap of work. I always tried to do great shows, great music, great styling (Thanks to Karen Inderbitzen Waller and Chris Abbott) and great parties, which was acknowledged. We never had an official sponsor or any financial support but we did get lots of free beer.
Some of the highlights for me were the japanese buyer who fainted at the sight of blood on the catwalk at the Game show and the looks of terror in the front row when the first model walked out brandishing a shot gun.
There was the woman who had a knife pulled on her in the toilets (flooded) at our off site Ambivalence show to celebrate the inaugarul Flying Nun collection launch who then told me it was the best party she had ever been to, just after the Mint Chicks and D4 had played. We were 300 people over capacity and had to lock the fire warden out so he didn't close us down.
The next day we got the front pages of all the major press, television coverage and a glowing review from Stacy Gregg who had only made it to see the show after a stand off with a designer (who shall remain unnamed) when trying to leave their show early. Little brother, as a label, for me came of age that night.
I've had an on again off again relationship with the organisers over off site shows, banning buyers and VIP's (no such thing in New Zealand) and generally stirring up shit to get publicity but ultimately it is a great event we should all support. It provides a platform to showcase your ideas.We are involved this year in a very sedate and small capacity with our Crane Brothers formal wear so not very rock and roll but hopefully still fun. |
