Oh what to wear to the fashion event of the year

Oh what to wear to the fashion event of the year? Well is appears most picked sparkly, dangly and glitzy for the Moet & Chandon Be Fabulous party - the pre-curser to the official launch party at Air NZ Fashion Week. I had actually wondered if I had taken a wrong turn, ending up at a Mama Mia cast party....but no....the bad up-do's, ugly faux leather bombers and trashy tarts sucking up to a handful of All Blacks is unfortunately part of Auckland's tragic reality. My plus one even remarked that she wouldn't even consider swapping outfits with anyone there - as we were clearly the best dressed...apart from some of the boys.

However....the lovely bubbles flowed, the live tv cross went without a hitch and even the horrific gossip columnist appeared to be enjoying herself.

Trelise, Neville and Liz and even the gorgeous Adrian Hailwood all made an appearance. Was definitely worth rocking up to....even if it was just to remark on what some had chosen to wear to the fashion event of the year!

As the lounge slowly emptied it was time to move on to the official launch event.

A giant afterball is the most appropriate description. A twelve year old stopped me at the door, demanding to see my invite....which of course I didn't have. "Did I RSVP?". Well of course I didn't. I flashed my important delegate card. Nothing. It was with blatant awkwardness (her's not mine), height and age that I managed to squeeze pass the child into the heaving mass of....well....children.

The uber-cool Lonely Hearts and Stolen Girlfriends demeanour has transcended cool and found it's place in the mainstream world. Quite sad really.

What was once cool is now not. Pushing past 50 million Geldof girl wannabes is hardly enjoyable.

The aforementioned designers are going to have to evolve faster than Madonna to avoid being swallowed up by the world of uninspired sameness.

How did those kids get in there anyway? Perhaps I was stopped at the door because there were age restrictions in place. Old age restrictions.

It was nice to see Twenty-Seven Names and Stolen Girlfriends taking out the Air NZ innovation Awards. Lucrative package for struggling designers.

With a drunk plus one in tow, it was time to move on.

I am hoping the rest of Fashion Week will leave a more positive impression...or am I just getting old?