There is a ‘70s feel about fashion this season, mixed in with tradition and the structure of the ‘50s, and this winter is the season of texture and layering. Winter 2011 is an exciting season which turns its back on the modern and the brash, and returns somehow to times more basic, more sustainable, more natural, and more grounded. This is not a frivolous season and the favourites of old will reign – think boucles and tweeds for suiting and Fair Isle and chunky knits for knitwear.
Maybe it’s because it’s been a tough old year for the world as Mother Nature has created chaos in both hemispheres, but fashion this winter feels like the world has returned to its roots. The ‘shiny’ trends in recent seasons have gone and there is a return to handcrafted, traditional looks with a more sustainable feel. Natural fibres, with their coarser textures, imperfections, flaws and earthy character are applauded for their organic value, rawness and distinctive look.
This season’s trends combine the looks and values of yesteryear, with a modern twist of course. Pretty, rounded collar blouses peep out from under traditional tweed and check suiting. They feature hand-tatted looking lace-trimmed georgette or chiffon – not winter weight fabrics, but perfect under the warmth of wool. A key look is rustic and country, with flashes of feminism through the use of chiffon and frills. Click here to see what's in this season!
Theraces.co.nz Fashion Ambassador
Amanda Nicolle has spent her entire life around fashion and racing and is passionate about both. After training to be a milliner with the Queen’s Milliner in London she returned to New Zealand to become the most successful milliner in Australasia, designing and making the hat that topped the winning outfit at the Melbourne Cup five years in a row, as well as taking out top honours at most of the fashion events around New Zealand.
She became the organiser of the Wellington Cup Fashion in the Field event and later became sponsorship manager of the Wellington Racing Club. She has also been a guest judge at many fashion in the field events around New Zealand. Her more recent roles include being Fashion Buyer/Manager for Wellington department store Kirkcaldie & Stains and she is now the 'About Town' Columnist and Restaurant Reviewer for the Sunday Star Times Wellington social pages.
