Fashion's FINAL BOW

Kerre bids farewell to one of her favourite clothing stores

- KERRE WOODHAM

My beautiful and talented friend Tanya Carlson has closed her clothing store in Ponsonby in Auckland.

She launched her eponymous label back in 1997 – one of a bunch of talented designers to come out of Dunedin, each with their own individual style, but sharing the art of exquisite tailoring.

Tanya proved that Dunedin fashion wasn't all long black skirts and black mohair sweaters. She loves satins, velvets and silk chiffons, and her designs are gloriously feminine and timeless.

I remember the first time I saw one of Tanya's designs. It was in the early 2000s and the dress was a beautiful apricot silk chiffon number. I fell completely in love with it. I rang Tanya's design studio and left a message, asking if there was any chance she would make me a Versailles dress of my own.