Controversial NZ designer launches new collection

Press Release

19 September 2013

Controversial NZ designer launches new collection despite vitriolic backlash

Photo credit: Qiane Photography – www.qiane.co.nz

“If there's one thing Annah Stretton knows how to do, it's how to put on a show.”

TV3

“…the show was an elaborate display of creativity, quirkiness and exquisite fashion in an Alice in Wonderland-themed showcase.”

Qiane Photography

“…from props, set, pre-show characters, right down to the fabric in the garments this was truly a childhood story brought to life!”

Phlossy Roxx

“Oh this was such a performance.”

www.nzgirl.co.nz

Sending fashion-goers into a mad world spin, the Annah Stretton AW14 collection - Annah in Wonderland - captured the spirit of each character in the well-known story, featuring a host of vintage and bespoke fabrics and accessory detailing inspired by the outlandish personalities found down the rabbit hole.

The collection was broken up into four different stories, the first being full of pastels, florals and lace – an ode to the classic tea party. The mood then changed in the second theme to Mad Hatter inspired patterns of floral with checkers in bright purples and blues. The third collection delved into a more Wonderland look with brighter and bolder floral colours, and big floral headpieces to match. The forth was a stark contrast to the last three with a Queen of Hearts inspired collection, think red tartan, lace and frills; all with fantastic headpieces and crowns to match.

Every piece in the magical collection exhibited the expertise and experience unique to Stretton who, in 2013 celebrates 21 years in operation.

The show went down without a hitch despite a backlash on social and mainstream media when a photo of Stretton and her two dogs sitting upon a bear rug was published in a national newspaper accompanied by comments around her love of taxidermy. Annah, an avid animal rights supporter admitted there were mixed messages in the image but sits comfortably given the provenance of the bear. In response to the criticism Annah will be auctioning off the bride’s one-of-a-kind dresses with proceeds going to the SPCA; one of the only animal charities that didn’t enter into the particularly vitriolic Facebook attacks.

Stretton’s 12th New Zealand Fashion Week also included a same sex wedding fashion show at the event’s general admission weekend. The Come on Oz, Say I Do campaign made international headlines as the first show of its kind to legally marry two women on a catwalk.

“The gay wedding sent a message around choice, that I have always believed all women should have,” Annah Stretton explained. “In fact, my third book, Rock the Boat (out this week) is all about encouraging women to find their voice, stop accepting the status quo and drive towards living a great life. We do and can have great choice as long as we find our voice and start to make them. Given that we wanted the show to have a message, Australia became a logical target as they had yet to enact the marriage equality laws and appeared a long way from doing so.”

Watch the show: http://www.3news.co.nz/NZFW-2013-Annah-Stretton-runway-show/tabid/1815/articleID/312085/Default.aspx

For more information visit www.comeonoz.com

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For more about Annah Stretton visit: www.annahstretton.me

www.annahstretton.com

ENDS

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