Philip Treacy once said that “when you’re wearing something on your head, you feel beautiful”, a principle Natasha Zinko heavily embraced this season through headscarves, wigs, and beanies – but also applied to the hands!; where oven mitts and ‘NZbuy’-marked cardboard boxes transformed into zany accessories. Special guests were of course welcomed: a caramel poodle, a young toddler, and Mel B! – who ignited a cacophony of cheers as she closed the show in a tartan cocoon skirt.
This exuberant chaos seemed to be the ruling spirit of the show – from models chatting and fixing their outfits, to scenes you’d easily spot at a club smoking section (obviously in the chicest part of town). This effervescence was spilling all over the runway, where the models sat down mid-walk, made out with one another, and posed for group photos, undoubtedly the holy trinity of a great night out.
Perhaps the most powerful motif of the night was the vintage mink coat – a piece belonging to Zinko’s grandmother. Reimagined with faux fur, the family heirloom’s influence was sine-fine: first a shawl, then gloves, then leg warmers – and two blinks later – a collared jacket and cocktail dress paid further tribute to the legendary staple. We’ve all fallen victim to unsuccessful garment alterations – maybe even Natasha Zinko herself – though given the slickness of her craftsmanship, that’s not entirely plausible.
As one last cheer ricocheted through the Waterloo tunnel venue, Mel B’s hands were held to the heavens, signalling a bittersweet end. If the former Spice Girl was in fact asking the man upstairs for something, let’s all hope it’s for another show as dynamic as Zinko’s.
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Words: Rory Fainaru
Images courtesy of Reference Studios