Trash with a dash hits city catwalk
RECYCLED rubbish becomes high fashion this weekend.
Trash to Fashion finalists hit the catwalk on Saturday for judging and awards night. With loads of local musicians and performers set to join in it’s sure to be an entertainment extravaganza.
Young Hamilton designer Vanessa Nieper has carved a lucrative niche for herself in the city, successfully retailing her popular label Nes in the heart of Alexandra St.
Nieper’s skills and talent will see her take on a new challenge when she joins the judging panel for Hamilton’s Trash to Fashion wearable art awards, which kick off at 7,3Opm in Founders Theatre. This year’s Trash to Fashion event is set to be the best yet with designers from throughout the region putting their re-used and recycled wearable art creations on show.
The panel will judge entries across five categories based on design and construction, use of recycled materials and how well the garment fits the theme. Categories range from the innovative and extroverted avant-garbage to recycled retro, party gear and salvaged clothing.
Hamilton mayor Bob Simcock says Trash to Fashion wifi showcase up-and-coming Hamilton talent. "We want to infuse a creative flavour into everything we do, generating momentum for a vibrant and energetic city."
Dio students strut stuff in Funky to Fab show
Vanessa Nieper helped with hair and makeup for the event.
Make-up, beautiful clothes and towering high heels — last night Waikato Diocesan School for Girls students experienced life on the catwalk. The annual Funky to Fab fashion show fundraiser saw year 12 and 13 students strut their stuff as models in front of hundreds, ably assisted by four male models courtesy of the Waikato Rugby Union. The show featured clothes from local designers and fashion stores Cene, Shikoba, Nes, Jillang, The White Room, Alibi, Tuscany Road, Scintilla, Issues for Men and Annah Stretton. Student models Jessica Boerema and Julia Kibblewhite, both 18, enjoyed their night of glamour. For Julia the highlight was “getting the make-up, being on stage with lights and wearing clothes you usually don’t wear”. Jessica was thrilled to make it off the stage without tripping in Annah S’ high heels. "I can finally wear high heels — I’d never worn heels in my life. It ran really smoothly, we all had a ball, I think we just all loved the spotlight"
Jordan Smiler, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Mikkelson and Trent Renata were a huge hit with the mostly female audience. Hamilton city councillor Kay Gregory MC’d the night for the fourth year running, and was joined on stage by daughter Kerry. "My daughter goes to Dio. This is the first time my Kerry and I have done it (the show) together, so that’s kind of special," she said. Guests were treated to entertainment from the school’s kapahaka group, wearable art, senior dance team Illusion and Extra Shot barbershop quartet. Funds raised will go towards Dio’s new performing arts facility, the Piki Mahuta Centre, named in honour of former student Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Supporting the Hamilton 400 V8 supercar racing:  window display
brought up in the motorcycle and car racing industry, vanessa has racing in her blood, and in support of the v8 supercar racing has produced a limited edition range of v8 08 hamilton nz tees, for men and women.
it was a family collaboration with graphic designer sister amanda williams the tees were designed, window display paraphanelia supplied by father allan nieper owner of nationwide accessories wholesale ltd, supporting the v8 action in hamilton vanessa is right behind it.
celebrates 5 year anniversary, 19 may 2007
vanessa nieper and the hamilton store team hosted a special customer evening on saturday 19 may to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the store being open in hamilton. there were elegant drinks, nibbles and a discount on all items in store.
many customers took advantage of the special discount and purchased this season’s must-have additions to their wardrobes.
amy from hamilton enthused “i’ve been really stoked to find a fashion store in hamilton with clothes designed to fit so comfortably. the dollybird jeans are so flattering with the stretchy denim and comfy waistband, and yet they look so cool! when i wear them everyone comments how good they look and asks where i got them from.”
stocks fashions for men too; bosstan wearing the “H.A.MILTON” t-shirt, stated “this season’s must-have for me is the hoodie, i’ve worn a hoodie casually during the day as well as clubbing at night. fashions fit very well, but they’re also edgy and use bold designs.”
store manager kylie, wearing the black button dress with leggings and funky shoes, explained how many customers are initially unaware of how to effectively layer up clothing in winter, but once she shows them how to go about it, they return to the store to try their own layering. the idea is to put previous purchases to further use by mixing and matching with new items.
waikato times, 21 february 2007
if you visit the home of hamilton jewellery designer alex middlemiss' parents, don't look up. "i've basically raided all my parents house padlocks, keys and chandeliers" grins middlemiss, 23, who makes stunning long necklaces from everyday objects under her label: alexandra jane.
many of her gold or brass pieces feature crystals pinched from antique chandeliers, or quirky objects such as bullets or colourful vintage beads.
word of mouth has driven interest in the fledgling label, which has been operating for six months.
"alternative people like the bullets and the keys" says middlemiss. "other people like the more feminine or girly pieces with the crytals".
they are sold in alexandra street fashion store , formerly  , where middlemiss works as an assistant.
the store, owned by vanessa nieper, has a tradition of supporting young new zealand fashion designers, stocking many hamilton and raglan labels as well as those from around the country.
Read the full article 
waikato times, 17 january 2007
if you're not much of a dress person, never fear - hamilton designer vanessa nieper has created a vibrant summer look with this skirt and top. a slightly more casual look, the outfit will leave you feeling feminine whether you dress it with heels or sandals.
however, it's the top that's the winner here. it comes in a range of colours from hot to pastel and can be worn in 10 different ways: tshirt, reverse t, cross-over halter, low halter, long tube, asymmetrical tie neck, low t, twisted single, twisted halter or tube. a perfect buy for those who never like to wear the same top twice!
Read the full article
australian women’s weekly, september 2005
the silver ferns swap stories about their lives outside netball, their children, and perhaps most importantly for women of their stature, where to find clothes to fit rangy limbs.
at 1.9m tall, with size 11 feet, irene van dyk has often found it a nightmare to buy anything but casual clothes. until this year, she had steered clear of long trousers, which would always end up three-quarter length on her on legs. but silver ferns defender casey williams has put irene and her team-mates onto a small hamilton based design label, .
“they’ve made netballers the happiest women in the world,” enthuses irene.
waikato times, 14 april 2004
after spending a year working on the fit and feel of the jeans, using friends as sample models, vanessa launched the label.
“denim is quite difficult to work with and jeans are generally quite uncomfortable, so it was really important to get them right.”
“we don’t make the latest, latest trends. i prefer to make garments that will see you through for a long time.”
from the aptly named “stranglers” – a tight-fitting jean with a low-rise waist – to more relaxed styles, vanessa says jeans are suitable for all shapes and sizes.
“a is a fashionable and attractive girl. but anyone can be fashionable and attractive; it’s just a matter of trying something new.”
|
 |
 |
