Jennifer Hawkins leads flash pack as Myer shows off autumn-winter collection

IN front of a VIP crowd of 350 people, Jennifer Hawkins strutted her stuff to show off Myer’s autumn-winter collection in Melbourne.

MYER showed off its autumn-winter collection at its Bourke St store, as off the catwalk the retailer piled pressure on rival David Jones to consider a merger.

Jennifer Hawkins, leading 43 models, descended a zigzag 16-metre long digital supersized city skyline to emerge on the runway before a VIP crowd of 350 people, including Myer ambassador and Nine weathergirl Rebecca Judd and husband Chris Judd, Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s daughters, Bridget and Frances, and soccer star Harry Kewell and his wife, on Thursday night.

GLAMOROUS PICS: HAWKINS STEPS OUT IN STYLE FOR MYER

Reflected the key colours of black and white with a touch of popping red, Hawkins opened the show in a pretty black and white print Toni Maticevski dress, followed by a chic Arthur Galan caped white gown and slinky black Aurelio Costarella beaded dress with leather cut outs on the back.

Photo David Caird. Myer Autumn Winter collections launch rehearsal in the Mural Hall Melbourne. Jennifer Hawkins wearing a Arthur Galan AG design.

She closed the show in a red Giambattista Valli dress, the first time in 10 years Myer has shown their department store exclusive international labels alongside their stable of Australian designers.

“I love the sheer panels in that red dress and red is such a huge colour for winter,” Hawkins says.

Hawkins opened the dark and edgy show, showing off 180 new seasons looks, in a pretty black and white print Toni Maticevski dress, followed by a chic Arthur Galan caped white gown and slinky black Aurelio Costarella beaded dress with leather cutouts on the back.

She closed it in a red Giambattista Valli dress.

Less than a month after having her second child, Judd wowed in a revealing J’Aton frock.

“We’ve been in lockdown for the past few weeks so we’re going out for dinner afterward to Cumulus where we used to go before we had children,” Judd said.

Chris and Rebecca Judd at the Myer autumn-winter collection. Picture: Julia Kiriacoudis

Proof of a recent pregnancy was nowhere to be found on the slim beauty, who wore a cut out beaded mini dress and Chanel clutch; except for a slight case of baby brain.

“I can’t remember what the brand of shoes are,” she said sheepishly.

Judd also revealed she and her husband wanted a third baby.

“After the first one we said we’re never having another one again but now she’s come along and is so easy we thought we’ll do a third one,” she said.

“But not for a while.”

The crowd was abuzz with the news that Myer CEO Bernie Brooks was staying on, and had put his hand up for the top job if the David Jones merger takes place.

Francis and Bridgett Abbott were among the VIP crowd. Picture: Julia Kiriacoudis

Myer on Thursday sent a letter urging David Jones to enter talks around the $3 billion proposal.

Both department stores have suffered sliding sales in recent years as heightened competition from international brands and the rise of online shopping take a toll.

Under the proposal, the rivals would keep their own stores, branding and identities, but could save $85 million a year by sharing costs.

“My view of the proposal is that (talks) will actually happen,” Myer chairman Paul McClintock said of the proposal, which DJ’s initially rejected last year.

“I’m confident that over time the logic will prevail.”

David Jones last night said it would consider any proposal that was in the best interest of its shareholders.

Hawkins said: “It was such a great surprise to hear about Bernie staying on. Congratulations to him — we will definitely be having a red wine after the show.”