Surprises come at NZFW every now and then.  It can be a new label doing new and interesting things. Or, like with Juliette Hogan, it is someone we know and admire doing something that makes us sit up and take notice. A change in direction, a strong change in direction! The title of the collection should have given me a clue.  Called Don’t Look Back, she most certainly isn’t – it is most certainly eyes turned in a new direction. We knew we were in for something different the moment the first outfit came onto the catwalk.  A beautifully tailored orange suit (the colour is called Ravishing), followed by an Morange lace Skater Dress. Now we are seeing plenty of lace on the catwalk at the moment, but not orange – which is a pity as it worked so very well. Then we had silver sequins with Juliette’s take on metallics.  With a sequined skirt, vest and finally dress – we have had a shoring up of texture as well as use of bold colour.  With a gorgeous black fur coat (I just loved that) with a carpet-bag style handbag in black leather.  The bag made another appearance with a floral dress and matching bag in orange and blues.  And then just to make sure we really didn’t miss what she was up to, the last dress down the catwalk was  floor length, and in orange georgette. It all felt very well thought out and cohesive – the mark of a great designer. Make no mistake, there is no way we will assume we know what is coming next time… a fabulous surprise of the day, which might very well be the surprise of the season.

Photography by Michelle Weir