Her fashion designs are coveted by the best-dressed women in the country and from across the sea as one of New Zealand’s most successful exports. This year, you'll have the chance to see Trelise Cooper's sophisticated designs on the runway with her first showing at Fashion Weekend.
"The New Zealand woman is discerning, an earlier adopter of new ideas and look," says Trelise, who’s excited to be part of the event.
But before the day even arrives, there's a lot Trelise must do in the 24-hour lead up, making sure everything is meticulously planned.
"I find it one of the most stressful parts of putting the show together. [But] we have a big team talk with the staff so everyone is aware of their role and what they need to do to perform on the day."
The two-day event combines fashion with beauty and art, with the chance to buy up at the discounted designer garage sale.
For seasonal trends, Trelise says we'll see garments that have been inspiration by the elegant ladies who once lunched - think Jackie O and Grace Kelly.
"Glamour, print-mashing and a colour spectrum [that ranges] from pop-brights to macaroon pastels. It is retro florals and everything in-between."
But over the years, Trelise has been influenced by many things, both consciously and unconsciously.
"Places or people that touch me in some way. Travelling; all the sights, the sounds, the landscape, the culture and the architecture.
"I am especially inspired by vintage fabrics with handwork not seen in contemporary fabric. Like embellished and bejewelled historical garments and construction techniques."
The spring and summer collections for the Trelise Cooper, Cooper and Boardroom labels will be shown at Fashion Weekend on September 24-25, but if you can't wait until then to get your fix, the collections are already available in stores now.
New Zealand Fashion Weekend tickets are $20 and are available at www.iticket.co.nz.
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