Fashion stylist Samantha Hannah

Fashion stylist Samantha Hannah teamed up with Shelia Murray, owner of Desire (and the new Shelia Murray boutique) to hold a fashion show and stying showcase introducing colourful summer cutting edge trends at Desire in Customhouse Quay in Wellington.

Hannah says that “we will be seeing more embellishment and detail on garments from the back of jackets, on belts and down the side of leggings”. This will include “pleats, ribbons and sequins”. Hannah works closely with some of New Zealand’s top fashion magazines such as Lucire, and a successful stylist business, and can be reached for appointments at www.samanthahannah.co.nz.

OYL’s designer Nicola was on hand with her Summer OYL range. This season sees a colour palette of raspberry, mistral, pumice and black. Waite says that the ‘dance dress’ (as modeled belted by Hannah on the evening, pictured left) is a key fashion staple and she has seen it race out on woman in their 20’s through to their 80’s.

Milliner Amy Jensen-Lee had her cutting edge designs modeled on the racy models. These designs complemented the selection of Augustine dresses. Our favourite was the dupon silk fushia rose with nude millinery veiling, complete with Swarovski crystals. Jensen-Lee is one of New Zealand’s top milliners with her creations stocked in the upmarket Hat Shop in Christchurch and at www.amyjansenleen.co.nz. Her creations have recently been sent to Melbourne and appear at many an upmarket race event. She says “the 1920’s straw boater is back for the ladies for summer”. Reminiscent of Christian LeCroix perhaps? Perfect with a plum brandy balloon in the afternoon.

Makeup artist for the evening, Dara Wakely (www.darawakely.com) says the key trends for a summer look include the eyebrows to be easy so use natural colours but still have them looking groomed“. She says “for skin, go for a matte finish and keep lips bright and fresh”. Wakely rates “MAC Virgin V gloss as a make-up bag staple”. Summer will see the colour palette for nails to include “corals and tangerines in a matte finish”. Lashings of juicy colours!

Zumwohl plum and fejoia snaps were mixed as guests were shown key summer trends. Check out the new snaps shaken or stirred at www.zumwohl.co.nz, a must-have for a summer or winter tipple. “Perfect for afternoon garden parties and girls' nights out” says the Zumwohl producer.

Photos by Sopheak Seung

By Cynthia Greep, November 2009