If there was any doubt as to the staying power of Dunedin's fashion fraternity, today's Di Lusso iD Designer Sale certainly eliminated all concern.
The ultimate who's who go-to of Dunedin fashion opened their stores, hearts and minds for the third year in a row to the dedicated shopping public at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the ultimate kick-off to Fashion Week.
Featuring NOM*D, Charmaine Reveley, Jane Sutherland, Plume and DADA to name a few, the collections on offer provided enough variety to tantalise even the most discerning fashion tastebuds.
Feeling like a happy, blonde, less busty version of Catherine Zeta-Jones in ''Entrapment'', I merrily wandered through the sea of fabric and discarded coathangers until I realised, suddenly, there was more. The Pamper Lounge. It was just around the corner.
For those prone to a little overexcitement, the Di Lusso Pamper Lounge provided the ultimate calm-down pick-me-up, a state of the art location for shopping restoration and recovery. The velvety softness of chaise longue called to you, was insistent that you sit, and from here on in, well- I was only being polite. A Cocktail? Mocktail? Bubbles? Perhaps all three? The fabulous folk at Di Lusso had all the bases covered.
As if this wasn't enough.
A quick slide to the left and any evidence of shopping hardship all but vanished with a quick tweak, twist and spritz from the Redken Hair and Revlon Makeup teams from Aart on St Andrew and Ali McD Makeup School. Looking out the window, the outside world seemed so cruel. It is just so nice in here...
If there is to be a show of hands, it is the driving force and organiser of the show since its inception three years ago, the gorgeous Charmaine Reveley and fellow organiser, Anita Greene, who are deserved of applause. Their experience and passion made for smooth sailing once the show hit the road, leaving nothing else but to enjoy the shopping delights on offer. Combine this with Di Lusso Bar's Rachel Jones and the Pamper Lounge team... well, it's nothing short of the perfect product.
So as the clock struck four and my gaze fell on the empty racks of clothes hangers, one could not help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. For the coloured skirts, the swathes of decadent fabrics, the feel of silk against the skin.
Sigh.
Next year. Next year.
- Jane Pike, ODT Fashion-i
