The catwalk in the clouds you needed to see!

It’s only been a hot minute since the City of Sails had the pleasure of witnessing a fashion show almost 200 metres above the ground!

Race wear fashion graced Auckland’s skies yesterday with a high stakes show to celebrate the launch of Auckland Cup Week. Hosted by Auckland Racing Club at the Sugar Club, the Sky Towers surrounding SKYWALK turned pop-up catwalk for the day, as 11 daring and fearless models took to the metal mesh flaunting heels and all.

Dressed top-to-toe in the latest and greatest of fashion in the race wear world, show attendees had the pleasure in gazing at some delicious eye candy from leading Kiwi designers including Benny Castles of WORLD, Trelise Cooper, show queen Kathryn Wilson with headwear from Australian based milliner, Jill Humphries.

Parading guys and gals atop the Sky Tower was a New Zealand first, giving Kiwi designer and director of WORLD, Benny Castles a challenge to find only three extraordinary silhouettes, fit for a catwalk in the clouds.

Castles sat down to answer 5 quick fire Q+A’s to help us delve a little deeper into the world of outrageous and (literally) breath-taking fashion shows.

1. What was the biggest challenge of dressing models for a runway in the clouds?

It is highly difficult to see what you are doing when your head is in the clouds! To incorporate the harness was a challenge, but the models couldn't walk without being attached to something! But when you are dressed in fluorescent yellow and a reflective pink - you don't notice the safety harness!

2. What have you chosen to dress the models in and why? Could you give us some more information about the outfits?

We choose a big frilly pink silk satin dress for Carena West which also appears on the front cover of Te Papa's History of New Zealand fashion, because history and tradition always come to the races hand-in-hand. The gentleman we dressed, Josh Fisher, wore a hi-vis yellow suit that could be seen from Federal Street, also because safety is important at such a height.

3. The fashion show was held to celebrate Auckland Cup Week at Ellerslie Racecourse, do you have any style tips and tricks for those planning to attend?

Dress up! We always complain about never having anywhere to go when dressed up...this is the ticket! Have fun being elegant and enjoy living up to tradition. Make sure that your outfit suits you, that it is your kind of bold, your kind of fun - because that'll mean you know you look good and doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

4. The models had to be very brave to take on the SKYWALK head to toe in racewear? How do you tackle a challenge/face your own fears?

I like to hide in dark corners covering my eyes with my hands and humming gentle melodies.

5. You must be a big fan of racing. What is it about the sport that you love so much?

Rather than the sport, it is atmosphere and the celebration. People getting dressed up and enjoying themselves is something to behold...as it doesn't happen in quite the same way anywhere else!

Auckland Cup Week starts with Vodafone Derby Day on Saturday, 2nd March and ends with Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day on Saturday, 9th March at Ellerslie Racecourse.

For tickets to Vodafone Derby Day,  visit:

https://www.ellerslie.co.nz/ticket-options-vodafone-derby-day

For tickets to Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day, visit:

https://www.ellerslie.co.nz/ticket-options-auckland-cup-day