Kookai is younger than me - it's depressing in a totally trivial kind of way. I always figured the stores I grew up with were so ancient they had cobblers and blacksmiths working out the back to meet demand. So for a brand that's barely two decades old Kookai have sure made their mark. In fact, last week their influence echoed through the halls at the Sydney Opera House where they held their 20th Anniversary bash. Complete with multi-tiered runway, citrus-clad models, champagne bubbles and of course, that view - theEDIT was lucky enough to go backstage for a chat with the owner/designer/stylist Danielle Vagner and the pretty face that fronts the new-season campaign Nicole Trunfio. But first, let's oogle the pics!
It doesn't matter how long I live here, I never get sick of this vista.
Congrats to model Annika Kaban who gets married this month! In between glamorous modelling gigs, obvs.
Kookai owner/designer/stylist Danielle Vagner practicing what she preaches in bold citrus and a killer bangle stack.
The post-show shoe carnage.
Models Annika and Lizzy rocking bold brows and a statement lip like nobody's business. They're nice AND funny too (I know, right?).
The neckline, loving it. It's rather seventies meets now.
Apart from the neon kicks, these ear cuffs where the best-in-show as far as accessories were concerned.
The big finish - I like my clothes like I like my characters: colourful.
How regal was the runway?
I almost tried to run off with the shoes... Then I rememebered fashion ed Alex was eight months pregnant and probably wouldn't be able to keep up as I made a break for it.
GHD were responsible for the hair, so not suprisingly it was an eleven on the slick-o-metre.
Nicole Trunfio in her fave piece from the collection - even her SHOULDERS are dewy.
And here's what Dan and Nicole had to say post-show, champers in hand.
Great show! What's your favourite piece from the collection?
Nicole: I love the acid colour throughout the collection but the fiesta dress looks really great on, it's tailored to the body. Oh, and the oasis dress, I think it will sell out very quickly! It's inspired by a Moroccan tile and it's just beautiful.
Dan: I love the rapture dress - its feminine, flirtatious and comes in an iconic citris colour. And the fiesta fringe top!
What are your trend picks for summer 2013?
Dan: A maxi dress - in a printed silk it's so easy to travel with and you can wear with flats, heels or a wedge; and statement jewellery - it really helps make an outfit stand out - try our spike and the fiesta bracelets.
Nicole: The citrus! It really brings out the colour in your skin.
Pop quiz, ladies - what's your favourite book?
Dan: Corine Roitfeld's Irreverent - every time I look back at that book I learn something more. As a stylist I'm very visual and it's such a treasure.
Nicole: Tracy Emin's Strangelands - it made me feel like a child again, it really made my imagination run wild.
Did you ever expect you'd be showing at the Opera House?!
Dan: Not at all - when I started in 1992 I was five months pregnant - now we have 30 stores in both Australia and New Zealand and we're a vertical business, which means we manufature as well so we've grown a great deal in the last 20 years. We always have been a little bit vacuumed - ensuring we deliver on a weekly basis, travelling for inspiration and keeping our designs on par for what the Kookai woman wants. She want to buy from us because she can't find what she wants anywhere else.
