Michelle Yvette on the verge of greatness

Michelle Yvette took out the Verge Breakthrough Designers award at fashion week by votes taken electronically from guests holding buzzers in the front row at the catwalk show of five young labels all competing for the $10,000 prize.

The award, to encourage young fashion businesses get a leg up in the industry in their early days, is generously given by fashion company Verge each year to another designer. Ian Webster of Verge explained to the Air New Zealand Fashion Week audience at the show he often gets asked, why would a fashion company give money to another potential comptetitor? Webster said that when they started out they needed money and now they're in a position to help others. We commend them for it. 

Michelle Yvette's show started the collection of five designers who showed, including Sable & Minx by Doosh streetwear designer Theresa Brady, Deuchar by Kellie Chapman, emma by Emma Wallace, and Ana Steele.

The Michelle Yvette show began with Arabian music and bellydancers setting the scene for a plum silk gored dress. The clothes were all very well made and executed in classic styling and accessorised with Arabian coin hair pieces. We especially liked a black jersey dress with a keyhole back and a bow at the waist. In a blend of cultures, girls walked wearing frill-shouldered blouses and black sequinned open vests to the Middle Eastern rock soundtrack. 

Below, front row guests take photos of the catwalk show. 

Megan Robinson, September 2008

Photos: Kevin Robinson