NOTEWORTHY
The year is almost to a close, and we’re rounding up noteworthy moments, or things to take note of, as we edge closer to 2025. By Nina Tucker.
Fashion and film 
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked has landed in theatres worldwide and across the country, garnering lots of chatter with its all-star cast featuring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Peter Dinklage, and Jeff Goldblum.
Its core colours, pink and green, (not to be mixed up with The Fairly OddParents) showcase the juxtaposition of Ariana and Cynthia’s characters yet in a beautifully complementing way. Fashion designer Caitlin Crisp, mother Karen, and friends (pictured) nailed the brief with their colour-coordinated looks for the Auckland premiere. Close enough to Christmas in colour scheme, the timing is wonderful to marry fashion and film, such as these picks from Twenty Seven Names. From left: Chosen One dress, Storyteller dress.
On the forecast: having fun
From street-style to runway ensembles, volumnious silhouettes and boundary-pushing clothes still surround us. Designers worldwide are leaning in to their eclectic sides after playing it safe for a few years. Plus, the oversized-everything trend has arguably made way for similar freedom across multiple design elements, between form, texture, and movement.
The late, great Lee McQueen once said “Fashion is not to be taken too seriously. They’re just clothes at the end of the day.” He also said “There are no rules.” The latest looks to hit New Zealand shores excite me, like this extraordinary Acler mini dress, which I just hope to see someday worn in Christchurch with confidence. Fashion is about having fun, expressing yourself through silhouette and style. Step out of your comfort zone this season.
Christchurch’s fashion up-and-comers
Student-led fashion show Prospect Ōtautahi showcased and celebrated the designs of 40 Ara students at Majestic on Durham in late November for its third year running. Over 200 looks walked the runway to the adoring eyes of 400 people. Third-year Bachelor in Fashion Technology and Design student Mya Clement spearheaded the 2024 show alongside fellow student designers Melanie Wade, Jess Robertson-Wright, Alexander Yee, and Andy Sales. The evening was a “beautiful celebration of hundreds of hours of hard work put into creating these designs,” Mya shares.
IMAGES: Jasper Mooney’s (left) and Mya Clement’s designs on the runway. Photographed by We Kaptured It.
The last of a legend
In 2025, we won’t see any new collections from local fashion legend Kate Sylvester. We wave goodbye to the storied house and innovative designs we fell in love with all the way back in the 1990s. Kate’s departure leaves a gap in the local fashion landscape, and we can only hope it empowers budding designers to fill her shoes.
Her final collection, Into the Desert, was born from an exploration of the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan between Kate and her partner Wayne. In the end, it became the perfect reference to finish on. “Time passes differently in the desert – it is our past and future. It appears empty but is brimming with life. It’s the setting for epic historical events,” she explains. Ethereal and relaxed with a sophisticated edge, the collection is available now at katesylvester.co.nz
