It is always an exciting thing to see all the collections from various labels I love, all summer, all new – waiting for us to have a look. I was lucky enough to visit Ciel PR’s showroom with Michelle Weir, photographer extraordinaire, and Rosie Dawson-Hewes, my often butt-saving sub editor and sometimes contributor, in tow. We were met by the always charming Chris Lorimer, who called us a “Girl Gang” which I of course loved – I don’t get called a girl very often any more…

So these were the things we saw, and loved.  In the process, we got to see a lot of what will be coming through the showrooms and into stores this coming summer…

I love these Chaos and Harmony shoes which I have already featured in white in a post earlier this year.  They look incredibly comfortable and practical while still have a fair amount of attitude. Rosie tells me the fabulous shoe with the plastic detail is incredibly comfortable.  She is an expert on shoes, and especially shoes with heels – and is a great lover of Chaos and Harmony. I am hoping to convince her to write her thoughts on their entire upcoming summer collection.  I don’t imagine I will need to try too hard…

Company of Strangers have created this fantastic monochrome print which I love.  Putting the neon dress underneath just makes the damned thing impossible to ignore – and it is just gorgeous to boot.

Kate of Arcadia has some great bags. As a lover of clutches (I still love them) these two are my favourites. The print is unmissable, and the diamond cut clutch is chic and understated. Beautiful.

I saw this dress from Silence Was at Wellington Fashion Week, and I still love the orange print and the belt detailing.

This monochrome print by Maaike is my favourite of the day, closely followed by their other black and white print which features on the sleeves of the second dress. The tucking detail on the parachute silk top below was a clever piece of tailoring – loved it!

Pardon My French have done pretty, flirty dresses in two dynamic prints – one a monochrome (bit of a theme here?) and the other in a coloured leopard print.  I loved them both.

OTSU is a New Zealand-based label making incredibly beautiful, understated silk garments that you just have to see on someone to understand just how beautiful they are.  Stocked at The Department Store in Takapuna, their long silk ‘coats’ can be worn as a dress, a summer coat or, for the extravagant, the most elegant dressing gown. That bright yellow colour is amazing… sigh…

Marmalade Hats is now represented by the Ciel PR as well, with her handmade hats a thing of beauty. Love them…

Kowtow are one of my favourite labels and I have covered their upcoming collection, but I still had to put in a shot of this Vacation Parka.

Surface Too Deep are back after their incredible showing at Australian Fashion Week (MBAFW) and this is one of their new season swimsuits. I love their fabrics – the designs are unique and coupled with their different take on swimsuit design, this Wellington label one to watch.

I had to include this Strange Love denim parka as I have a 15-year-old that would just love it. Strange Love is Company of Strangers’ younger sister label – dotty perfection!

Thanks for having us Ciel PR – we had a fabulous day – only wish we could have stayed longer…

Anya, Rosie and Michelle