Lara Parker dresses Miss America

Lara Parker crowns her winter 2008 collection entitled 'Miss America' with USA-style college sweater-meets-cheerleader cuteness just perfect for dating your high school sweetheart and then entering a beauty pageant in. The range of preppy waistcoats, classic blazers and Prom Queen dresses takes a look back at decades past of young American style in this latest range from the talented New Zealand fashion designer.

Lara Parker, pictured right above with store manager Natalie Routen on left, says the collection, "Tells the story of a Miss America through the decades! I'm most at home in the 70s and the 90s" she laughs. This retro appeal is apparent in the velvet shorts with button-down tab front detailing and fitted cashmere blazers of the 1970s, right through to the hotpink dupion silk and black velvet sash dress straight out of 1990s pageants and proms.

Black, the winter staple, has been replaced with neutrals of caramel as seen in the beige double breasted jacket in teddybear soft cashmere -"I get lots of cuddles when I wear it!" says Nat- and in beige cord pants and blazers with collars stiff enough to sculpture the collar upright. These soft cord pants are "so comfy" according to designer Lara that they're her new alternative to jeans. Team the neutral caramels with injections of hot colour in royal blue, navy and fuschia and a garden print in pretty blouses.

A key piece in the collection is the waistcoat, which comes in four styles to wear layered or by themselves, such as the two-tone navy velvet and beige vest. Another item to undergo a revival is the pencil skirt worn with a blouse and given a twist that looks really edgy and young. Attention to detail means the sleeve in the 'Garden State' tee stops at a nice length on your upper arm halfway between your shoulder and elbow rather than "at an awkward place" explains Lara. Tab buttons are the feature detailing on shorts and high-waisted trousers this season, with large round Minnie Mouse plastic buttons.

Exterior zip detailing brings to mind cheerleaders and the combination of USA red and blue in a waistcoat is perfect for marching girl fantasies. So get marching into Lara Parker's boutique in Newmarket for the Miss America collection fit for beauty pageant princesses everywhere.

Lara Parker
7 Remuera Road, Newmarket, Auckland
Phone 09 522 1432
www.laraparker.co.nz