Air New Zealand Fashion Week 08

Compliments 4 Fish

Autumn Winter 2009 Range

 

Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2008

Annah Stretton  Autumn/Winter 09  Compliments for Fish

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Playing on her love of Asian culture and fashion, this season finds Annah Stretton returning to the Orient to explore the Japanese practice of Irezumi – the intricate art of full-body tattoo.

For Autumn/Winter 2009, the designer has found a specific focus in the symbols of the Nishikigoi (known as Koi or Brocaded Carp) and the Chrysanthemum.

“This theme has enabled me to take the colour and drama that signifies the Annah Stretton collections to a new level. I‘ve always been fascinated by the skill, dedication and beauty in real-life wearers of tattoos; in fact it’s only in the last few years that I have definitely decided not to get one!” Stretton says.

In Japan, the Koi is a “living jewel” and one of the most popular of tattoo symbols as it represents courage, the ability to attain high goals, and overcome life's difficulties.
Alongside is the Chrysanthemum - symbolizing not only a long life but a complete and happy one as well.

Compliments for Fish is about cohesive drama: it uses the stunning hues, textures and form of the Koi.
Looks are driven by primary colours and feminine shapes, often in their extremes - paralleling the way the Japanese have bred their carp fish to be beautiful, and often to extremes with elongated fins and tails.

It’s a cleaner and more graphic collection from Stretton, given her history of fabric mixing, although texture and print still abound: petals cluster along necklines and bodices, while long liquid fin like ruffles fall away along the body on closely fitted dresses.
Full-blown Irezumi interpretation appears in the use of printed tulle body suits, worn under dresses, mimicking the tattoo effect.

As always, the Annah Stretton collection tells a distinct story, inspiring and enabling the wearer to create her own personal interpretation for the season ahead.

Related Links:
Air New Zealand fashion Week 2007

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Thank you to our fashion week sponsors:

Kim Crawford Wines

FCM Travel Solutions

Mint Condition

Mi Piaci Shoes

Coombes Johnson BMW

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Bungalow 8

Ernst & Young

The Carry Bag Company

Guylian

Westpac

Vada using Schwarzkopf

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