Style stalwarts sass & bide kicked off the evening with a collection that rejoiced in rich fabrics, embellishment and exceptional tailoring. Using a palette of black and white, offset by splashes of forest green, the collection favoured cuts that defined the body rather than obscured it. Sleek bandage dresses, fitted pants and bustier tops promised a sexy silhouette in the wake of last season’s emphasis on volume. Mini dresses were accessorised with gold lurex stockings or black leggings - an appropriate choice for the colder seasons - which redirected the erogenous zone to the décolletage and shoulders.
Marnie Skillings presented “The Hand of Fete,” a collection that proved winter dressing need not be limited to sombre shades or dowdy fabrics. Resplendent in vibrant orange and fuchsia, dresses and separates were cut from lush velvet, silk and French lace. Fabric printed with scenes of ballerinas lent a sense of whimsy to the collection, as did the quirky ruffles that adorned everything from leggings to gloves.
Jayson Brunsdon’s collection looked to the Orient for inspiration, presenting a range of elegant evening dresses imbued with the aura of the Far East. Gelato shades of pink, green and white were inter-cut with splashes of bold red and black for maximum impact. From shantung inspired maxi dresses to bamboo and cherry blossom prints, Jayson Brunsdon impressed with a range that was gracefully wearable. A charcoal Maoist suit with a silver sheen provided a more androgenous, but no less elegant alternative.
Kirrily Johnston presented brash, high-impact pieces that borrowed from the power-dressing of the 1980s, with sexy bandage dresses, boxy cropped jackets and knit dresses worn off the shoulder all making an appearance. Models toted oversized bags covered with oversized studs, and strutted the catwalk in leather, suede and knits, worn layered and accessorised with scarves and Perspex jewellery.
Feminine florals took centre stage for Leona Edmiston, whose brief collection nonetheless encapsulated her distinct look. A romantic floral wrap, a draped Grecian smock and a black maxi dress with a gold peplum stood out as perfect choices for that dinner party or chic soiree.
Two of last season’s biggest trends - sequins and neon brights - were combined in camilla & marc’s show. A racer-back dress sewn all over with brightly coloured sequins was a stand out piece, as was a skirt of the same material worn with a black silk blouse and a cropped tuxedo jacket. This eclectic collection also featured white jodhpur-esque pants worn with a white utility vest, silky black shift dresses and an oversized blazer worn with skintight leggings.
Ginger and Smart presented labyrinthine print dresses in black, white and green, worn with the ubiquitous high-waisted belt. Leather played an important role in the collection, appearing as cropped motorcycle jackets, skinny pants and wide belts, while the inherent toughness of this look was offset by soft, draping smocks and full-skirted dresses.
The show concluded with a collaboration between sponsors Harper’s Bazaar and the featured designers, in which archived magazine covers were printed onto fabric and transformed into evening frocks. While not necessarily wearable, these pieces paid tribute to the integral link between designers and the magazines who support and promote their work.
For photographic coverage of this event, click here.
heartdisk
