Natalija Kucija continues her winning ways with a spring 2003–summer 2004 collection that balances her edgy design with good fit, writes Nigel Dunn

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRIAR SHAW

ASED IN FASHIONABLE Ponsonby, Auckland, Natalija Kucija has never been afraid to take chances. Originally selling through Karen Walker, Kucija branched out into her own retail store in 1998. She showed at Australian Fashion Week in 2001, choosing to go it alone, rather than participating in the Trade New Zealand-supported group show.
   In fact, Kucija has never relied on any government support, preferring to rest on her own merits and skills.
   Finally, after several invitations, Lucire was able to attend a Kucija collection, showing in a gallery on Brown Street in Ponsonby on May 29. This was not a traditional catwalk show, but a more relaxed gathering.
   Kucija has a reputation not just for individualistic design, which made her work a good complement to Walker’s, but for fits that work well with the New Zealand figure.
   This coming spring–summer 2003–4 season was no different, with a collection that could best be described as physical education class meets nurse’s uniforms. Kucija put an emphasis on sexy for summer, but did so with more restrained colours than at her pivotal show at Sydney two years ago.
   The dashes of red had gone and there were a number of highly contrasting garments in black and white. Brown and dark pink made appearances at the Brown Street gallery.
   It almost points to the coming summer being less bright and certainly it reflects some of the trends Lucire has reported on in Europe.
   Sleeveless tops and uniform-styled dresses made up the majority of the clothes. Dresses varied between mid-thigh and knee-length.
   There were some very nice chocolate-coloured dress pants, one pair combined with a dark pink polo neck with white horizontal stripes. This was reminiscent of the 1980s and looked fantastic—and, surprisingly, quite dressy.
   Natalija Kucija looks set to continue her winning ways, judging from what we have seen, balancing practicality with edgy design. •

Nigel Dunn is senior partner, web development at JY&A Media, the publishing company behind Lucire. Briar Shaw is an independent photographer who works closely with Lucire in Auckland, New Zealand.

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