Black Archive: Karen Walker SS 2003 - NZ Fashion Week

With New Zealand Fashion Week fast approaching we thought we’d revisit a seminal moment from NZFW’s past. In 2003 we produced two shows; Nom D's "Don't Shoot" and the following night Karen Walker SS 2003. Karen’s show was both a launch of the then brand new Karen Walker Jewellery range and a showing of a classic Karen Walker collection, albeit in midly controversial circumstances. KW creative maestro Mikhail Gherman concepted a simple brief: "Models on a large turntable rather than a catwalk and the jewellery displayed in those fun arcade display cases and a guy in an ape suit." The show, at Parnell’s York Street Studios hit the front page of the NZ Herald the next day; "NZ designer Karen Walker launches jewellery and shows sans catwalk." So here, in low res glory, is the only vid we could find of the show, replete with a fine selection of great NZ models; Amanda, Ngahuia, Louise, Anna, Melissa et al. A few images below...

Black #15: Paul Empson shoots Tanya D in Paris

Tanya D in VS Magazine

The shooting schedule for Black #15 is under way in Paris, London, New York and Sydney. First up Black Paris photographer Paul Empson shoots a resurgent Tanya Dziahileva or Tanya D for short. After a bit of a break Tanya is blowing up again in Europe so we are excited to have her in this issue. Hair & make-up by Jean Luc Amarin, Tanya was styled by Rosanna Passalacqua wearing Louis Vuitton, Prada, Miu Miu, Celine, Dries van Noten and more...

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #16: Mother & Father PR designers by Thom Kerr

Roxanna Zamani

After attending the past two Australian Fashion Weeks we have been struck by the groundswell of interesting young Aussie designers who quite simply think outside the sartorial square. Romance Was Born have had a lot to do with the development of a new Down Under fashion ethic where there are no rules, only ideas. One company that has captured this zeitgeist rather well is Sydney-based PR company Mother & Father PR. Helmed by Matt Jordan and Candice Wyman, Mother & Father represent labels like St Augustine Academy, Elliot Ward-Fear, kiwi designer Roxanna Zamani, Perth high flyer Jaime Lee, Ms Couture Lingerie, An Ode To No One and more. Long time Black contributor Thom Kerr beautifully captures some of the company's labels on model Lou Lou from London Management, in glorious balck & white at The Compound, Chippendale. Hair & make-up by Jovita Lee all ably assisted by Tegan Bates. Thom also found time to interview the pair about their shared background in retail, the digital landscape and why swearing is not a problem.

Elliot Ward-Fear

Time For A New Outlook

Conventional wisdom suggests that change is good for you, so after a few years living and working at Muriwai, West Auckland we are moving Black HQ into the magnificent Waitakere Ranges, also west of Auckland. We have shot here at Muriwai extensively over the years and will always love the many charms and latent power of this place, not to mention the sunsets which range from sublime to spectacular. As a parting shot, here is one of the more impressive sunsets from the past week....

Blacklog Editorial #15: Vanishing Elephant Seen In Waiatarua by Russ Flatt

In the middle of a cold and wet winter here in Aotearoa an indoor shoot is the go. In this casual and intimate study of Red 11's Jordan Barrett (above) and Tom Sheahan (below) photographer Russ Flatt and Black fashion director Rachael Churchward team to shoot Vanishing Elephant beside the fire, with the animals, whilst the rain thundered in and the Kauri trees creaked outside. Assistant fashion editor Jess Grubisa brought some of her nana's finest cookies as well as her usual fashion smarts and the other models are resident kitty cat Big Bruce and pup stars Quin and Tiki.

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #14: Karen Walker AW 2011/12 by David K Shields

David K Shields teamed with Rachael Churchward to shoot Karen Walker's tough-yet-ladylike AW 2011/12 collection in a Blacklog style on a cool, windy Muriwai day. Hair & make-up by Natalie Dent using M.A.C Cosmetics, model is Stephanie Mac at Red 11. All fashion by Karen Walker, jewellery by Karen Walker Jewellery, eyewear by Karen Walker Eyewear, shoes by Beau Coops for Karen Walker.

Sneak preview: Jessica Grubisa 4th year Whitecliffe's Collection

Readers of the latest issue of Black will know how enamoured we are with Whitecliffes' Jessica Grubisa. The fourth year fashion student is a fine example of the maturing of the Whitecliffes fashion program under tutors like Belinda Watt. We are definitely seeing an increased array of skills and talent from schools like Whitecliffes, AUT and Massey in Wellington - and that's highly encouraging. As part of the final year of the fashion course, Whitecliffe's students are required to dress a window around town so if you have noticed a few new window displays, you now know why. Here are a few shots of the window as Jess created it at Workshop Newmarket that feature some of her painstakingly-crafted 'gem' dresses. She will show the full range along with other Whitecliffes students like Yun Do, Creina Brunton and Stephanie Au-Duong at her graduation show in November.

1st Wunderkammer Showroom Garage Sale

Photo: David K. Shields

This Saturday and Sunday our friends at Wunderkammer are holding a garage sale that will tweak the interest of anyone who loves Commes des Garcons, Ann Demuelemeester, Costume National or Wunderkammer Jewellery. Everything: $25, $50, $100 or $150. Honest.

1st Wunderkammer Showroom Garage Sale
Sat 9th July 10am-6pm and Sun 10th July 11am-4pm
62 Ponsonby Road,
Ponsonby, Auckland
Ph: +64 9 360 4090