Long and short of summer style

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 16

Long and short of summer style

By

JANETTA MACKAY

New Zealand designers have produced simple, sophisticated fashions for summer. Guests at the Law Conference saw some of the best of the season’s styles paraded at the Civic Regency on Sunday evening. Fittingly, many of the garments were made in Christchurch, but their selection was not parochial — rather it reflects the strong showing nationally of local design talent. The show — a social interlude in a busy schedule — attracted several hundred of the more than 1500 people registered for the conference.

Brigid Brock’s striking leather wear led off, with an imprinted deep teal hieroglyphic design moulding the body as a standout. Caroline Moore’s classic working of leather

for her Frenzi label was an ideal foil. Taupe and red were feature shades and her gored, longer skirt was fluid and flattering.

From the Judith Malcolm collection, came long lean lines and spontoneous applause in a mini with long fitting jacket Gaye Bartlett’s understated elegance found new authority in a range of caramel-coloured knit and linen separates. Fluid and feminine, her easy pieces translate from casual to city smart. Other crowd pleasers Were the rich evening wear of the Auckland designer, Adrienne Winkelman, and the graphic black and white day wear of the young Christchurch Benson and Hedges Fashion Design Award winner, John Juriss.