Fashion Week: Kirrily Johnston & High Expectations

The first Australian designer to show at Air New Zealand Fashion Week had high expectations to meet – and meet she did.

The designer, who said it felt "unusually normal" to be on the runway in New Zealand showed a collection called 'Black Perfume' – a decadent ode to the glamour and mystery of the opium dens of Paris and Shanghai.

Full of artfully draped knit, the collection was packed with rich layering, textures, and stripes - as well as glimpses of masculine tailoring that came through in the form of waistcoats and soft tuxedo style jackets.

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Image courtesy of Hilary Johnston.

Sleek leather pants followed flowing leather capes down the catwalk, and mesh sat alongside satin, boucle wool and georgette.

The colour palette was a brighter version of New Zealand's typically depressed winter hues – burnt orange, bright metallic gold and cream freshened up dark, sexy black, and chunky gold jewellery (Kirrily's own design) that looked like a fusion of tribal and post–modernist design.

The knee-high, gold-zipped boots were almost a garment in themselves, and also the designers own creation. They were a perfect complement to a collection that places heavy emphasis on layering. Beauty notes:

Hair was intricately woven, braided and severely lacquered – with lady-like rolls at the front. Eyes were simple but popped due to the use of extra long false lashes Lips were pouty with an orange based, rose coloured lippy smudged over the centre area with the sides left bare, and skin was a creamy matte - a signature look from Amber D at MAC.

For more, check out fashionz.co.nz

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