Tall drink of Diet Coke

Diet Coke Little Black Dress Show
Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2009
Tuesday 22 September

Local and international acts graced the catwalk at the Diet Coke Little Black Dress show on Tuesday night.

Australian designers Alice McCall, Alpha 60, Marnie Skillings, Romance was Born and Kirrily Johnston crossed the ditch to show off their little, and not so little, black dresses.

New Zealand talent included Kate Sylvester, Yvonne Bennetti, Juliette Hogan, Adrian Hailwood and Jimmy D.



Adrian Hailwood and James Dobson of Jimmy D watch the show from the front row

Each designer sent three garments down the runway, all of which were created with the feminine curves of the Diet Coke iconic bottle shape in mind. The frocks ranged from Alice McCall’s skin-tight white on black spider-web design in different lengths, to Juliette Hogan’s signature style loose pleated and frilly dresses with a fizzy cola twist of belted bows and flapper layers.

Alice McCall



Juliette Hogan

Kate Sylvester

This was Adrian Hailwood’s first show since his return to the runway, so his pieces were highly anticipated and awaited by his fans and he did not disappoint. Arguably the most couture of the selection, Hailwood went all out. His second minidress was stand-out, with large pleated cape sleeves falling from oversized shoulder pads. The crowd was left wanting more, creating high expectations for his show on Thursday.

The diverse interpretations made from the same muse of the simple Diet Coke bottle were inspiring. A vast array of unique designs from Australasia’s best, the only common thread throughout being was that they were all, of course, black.

Jimmy D

Romance Was Born



Marnie Skillings



Alpha 60


Olivia Boswell
Photos Kevin Robinson