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The grey brick-road runway kicked off with multiple drummer boys banging away on their instruments, before the store’s ambassador, Gomes, got things started in a Carla Zampatti statement white-fur coat with a pack of models dressed in all white following her lead.
The all white errythang is one trend that seems to be sticking, along with sports-luxe which was evident in the tie-up sneakers, headphones, and generous offering of activewear on the runway. The athletic look could be a whole lot sexier this time around, though, made obvious when we saw Gomes’ bust bouncing down the runway in a crop by The Upside.
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David Jones newcomer Rebecca Vallance also has sex-appeal covered, with leather tights and figure-hugging dresses strong in her range, plus Camilla with its leopard-print pieces. On the other hand, black toe-cap clown shoes trotted down the runway at times, making us think another ugly-shoe season could be upon us.
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We also hope you can get used to the fact that the men in our lives will need to wear clothes over these upcoming colder months, because we were sorely disappointed to see babes Jordan and Zac Stenmark and Jason Dundas covering up in suits and sweaters by the likes of Zanerobe, Vanishing Elephant and Jac + Jack.
It’s a shame really, especially when there were tatts, facial hair and long locks to drool over on the catwalk. Jack London even dressed Chris Perceval in a poncho at one point, and we’re still not sure how to feel about it.
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While the men stay nice and cosy, it looks like us gals could be shivering all season long with a sad shortage of chunky knits and other thick fabrications. Instead, we’ve been presented with Michael Lo Sordo’s stunning silk-heavy range with sexy splits, and green-lace and sheer detailing courtesy of Ginger & Smart. Ok, so we guess being cold isn’t so bad after all.
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We’re sure Josh Goot will be keeping us warm in his highly acclaimed printed bomber jackets, which couldn’t hurt considering his brand has recently gone into voluntary administration. Looking at his structured lines, clean-white staples, feminine silhouettes and sought-after prints in tonight’s show, we think his eponymous line will be just fine.
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Manning Cartell’s prints were also one to keep an eye on, with a contrasting 80s-inspired orange, blue and white colour palette, not to dissimilar to that of Dion Lee’s, making its way into the label’s range. It’s more sophisticated than fun, though, so for a quirkier take, we can, as usual, count of Alice McCALL for her eccentric and artsy print this Autumn.
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Feathery textures and statement frills by Scanlan Theodore will also be livening up our wardrobe come summer’s end, plus gold and burgundy metallics by Bianca Spender. But if that’s all a bit exciting for you, your old faithfuls like Bassike and Sabatini are delivering safe monochrome and relaxed androgyny.
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Carla Zampatti, which celebrates 50 years in the industry this year, closed the show, with Gomes even stopping mid-strut down the catwalk to kiss the esteemed designer on the cheek. How lovely. A great way to wrap up the show, and we bet it wasn’t planned at all!
