FRINGE '04: Quiddity04

Quiddity04, “a performance fashion extravaganza” is headlining the Wellington Fringe Festival, featuring some favourites from last year and plenty of fresh new talent.

The production team behind Quiddity04 debuted the show in the 2003 Fringe to critical acclaim at the Exchange Atrium, between Allen and Blair Streets. Recipients of the Stellar Award for “bringing new audiences to the Fringe”, Walter Street Precinct has reunited to bring together a wealth of world-class wares to Wellington, this time in Shed 11 on Queen’s Wharf.

Returning faces House of Hank, Trashe, Ish and Jasmine Cucksley are joined by new talent Billy Zamoisky, Dark Black, Bronwen Pattison and Mia Kurghan, working to a “Black Valentine” theme.

“The mix of established with emerging designers and street-wear with avant-garde makes the show what it is,” said production manager Sar Ruddenklau, “we are presenting a variety of talented designers in a performance format to appeal to a wide audience, some of which may have never been interested in attending a fashion show in their lives!”

Walter Street Precinct’s philosophy behind Quiddity is to provide a professionally produced and publicised show as a platform to expose emerging designers and artists.

Quiddity04 offers a break from the traditional fashion show, with performance being an important element. Each designer is encouraged to take artistic licence with the “Black Valentine” theme and include a choreographed

performance in their section of the show, rather than just “models on a catwalk”.

Co-producer Gim Bon says “It’s about the people who bring it all together before it hits the stage. The hair and the make-up are just as important as the clothing.” The audience will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look early in the show with the hair stylists out from behind dressing room doors and in full audience view.

Quiddity04 is the opening act for the Fringe, and includes 4Play, a team of VJs projecting on suspended Perspex screens, and is followed by the “Black Valentine Ball”, the Fringe artists’ launch party. See it at Shed 11 on Queen’s Wharf, on Friday, 13th of February 2004, doors open at 7pm…wear flair if you dare.

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