Features editor Jessica-Belle Greer

FQ.co.nz brand partnership with NZ Fashion Week

NZ Fashion Week is here (again) so we thought this was the perfect time to introduce our team – they’ll be working hard behind the scenes, front row and outside the shows to bring you all the coverage from the week’s events.

What’s your role at Fashion Quarterly?

Features editor.

What will your focus be at NZ Fashion Week?

Seeing as many shows as I can and sharing my take on the latest trends and talent with you through Fashion Quarterly, Miss FQ and Simply You’s channels. As well as our immediate coverage online, a lot of what I see forms the basis of future fashion feature stories in our magazines, so it’s an important week.

When did you attend your first NZFW and what’s your standout memory from it?

I attended the Fashion Quarterly show when I still had dreams of being on the team one day. I remember the excitement of hanging out at the Fashion Week headquarters and getting to see beautiful fashion looks come to life on the runway to a booming soundtrack, nothing else beats it.

What, for you, has been the ultimate NZFW show/collection?

One of my first shows once I landed a job in the industry was Kate Sylvester’s Tartt for Autumn/Winter 2015. The clothes were so poetic and cohesive and the soft confetti falling over the runway was a serene touch. I also loved Stolen Girlfriend Club’s ‘The Guilty Ones’ show at the speedway the same year – no-one can turn a runway/raceway into a party like SGC can.

What shows are you most looking forward to this year?

The list is long this year – Kate Sylvester opening the week, Zambesi’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collection on the eve of their 40th anniversary, Maggie Marilyn’s first NZ Fashion Week show, Benjamin Alexander’s debut (which you can shop straight away), and Paris Georgia set to impress as the Mercedes-Benz Presents designer. Although I don’t know much about them yet – I also love the group shows and emerging showcases, where we are sure to find the new generation of designers to watch.

What trends are you hoping to see in the AW20 collections?

I’m hoping to see elegant silhouettes, bold colour combinations and a mash-up of eras, from Victorian to the 2000s.

What’s your key to making the week go smoothly?

Running between shows, rushing back to the office to file a story, and waiting seemingly forever for some shows to start in a schedule that goes well into the night does require a unique kind of stamina. I think remembering the bigger picture, drinking plenty of water, and looking out for your crew are most important.

What ensembles will we be seeing you in/what’s your NZFW style?

I’m working during the week so I like to look professional, but with a fashion edge – like my usual weekly wardrobe. If time allows, I hope to change into a statement dress or two for the night-time shows – sometimes a quick outfit change is all you need to kick on through to the next shows with a smile. ■