There is no doubt that WORLD can pull a crowd. More than 500 women swarmed The Langham Hotel last night to get a sneak peek at the new spring collection and help celebrate 23 years of fine fashion with designer royalty Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, Francis Hooper and Benny Castles.

This collection, named Black Tie White Noise Spring/Summer 2012/13, was in true WORLD style – bright, but peppered with classics. My pick was the Matisse top with lips and the ‘belle epoque’ dress, the perfect LBD, just enough lace to feel demure, but figure hugging enough to look hot.

We adored the hair by talented stylist Michael Beel (from Buoy salon in Wellington). The pleated buns and French rolls, created with help from the GHD styling team, had our table oohing and aahing. Makeup, the work of James Luii for Shiseido, with a bold colour-of-the-moment coral mouth and winged liner, the look of the night. And it wouldn’t be a WORLD show without a touch of sparkle; the models wore painted-on glitter socks in silver and teal.

Thank you, WORLD, for making fashion fun with an unexpected twist on a classic. Exactly the reason we love you so much.