Sydney certainly knows how to dress up, there is no question about it. The glam was 100% brought to the table at Fashion Palette this season, by the glossy guests seated on the FROW (front row) as well as the models strutting down the catwalk draped in the latest designs for Spring 2017/18 from Australia’s leading designers.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales played host for the evening and was the perfect choice for this glamorous occasion. After mingling in the foyer eating canapés and drinking wine, we were ushered to our seats ready for the show.
The holy grail of Australian fashion designers, Sass & Bide, opened the show presenting a cool-as-can-be look. The models sported full fringes with teased hair and flashes of pink eyeshadow as they sashayed along, oozing well dressed party girl vibes.
The splashes of teal shimmer were a well-placed interruption to the all-white looks and I am still daydreaming of the teal minidress hung on the model by criss crossed fine black straps, almost harness like. Heavenly.
Eliya the Label showcased a solid collection of dresses and separates, made to arm women with the tools to feel attractive and empowered. Black, white and gold were key colours throughout the collection featuring delicate harness strap detail contrasting the full fringing giving weight to the designs.
The hourglass silhouettes created by the form fitting garments compelled me to keep saying to the girl next to me ‘Oh My God, she looks insane’ which is exactly what I said when I saw the designer herself, Louise Elia. Clearly her own best customer, Louise has designed another stunning collection for women who love to get seriously dressed up. You go, girl.
Time to talk about what Australia does best: swimwear. How much fun can you have on a runway? Ask the model smiling on a surfboard lifted above the heads of four ridiculously attractive guys as they marched her down the runway. Heaven Swimwear certainly made their mark.
I loved the upbeat feel as the models seemed to enjoy their time on the runway, headphones around their neck and rose gold metallic trainers on their feet. The designs themselves were very wearable and I could picture girls splashing around in Bondi looking fabulous. Also, did I mention the blue leopard print? My absolute dream in a swimsuit.
If blue leopard print isn’t your thing then maybe green snake print is? Wild Pony served up the most stylish swimwear in a range of colours and patterns from jewel green and black to sky blue geometric prints. The fit of the swimsuits was faultless and the plunging necklines pulled together with criss crossed lacing made them sophisticated yet flirtatious. In my opinion, exactly what you need from swimwear. So chic.
I will definitely be adding some animal print (FINE, some more animal print) to my wardrobe this season and searching for some glam mini dresses to bring out my inner Eliya girl. Fashion Palette, you did good.
-Abi
Abi Andrew is a Fashion Marketing graduate, she believes you can never wear too much leopard print or drink too much white wine. Follow her on Instagram @rincess_abi
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11 Australian designers took to the runway showcasing their Spring Summer 18 Collections at The Art Gallery of New South Wales. The designers showcasing their collections were Sass & Bide, Akira Isogawa, Haus of Song, Eliya The Label, Nicola Finetti, Zerryn, Heaven Swimwear, Alin Le Kal, Danielle Aridi, Lena Kasparian and Wild Pony Swimwear.
