Walk on, buy: David Jones' spring-summer launch at Sydney's Fox Studios included items usually associated with other seasons.Credit: Wolter Peeters
In fashion's annual mating dance between designer and consumer, the former brings forth their best, brightest plumage for the year, while the latter judiciously decides what to buy/sell/keep.
Here's the shorthand for summer 2018: a trench coat, in sheer or patent. Keep. Metallics. Keep, but apply sparingly. Bold colours. Buy, buy, buy.
While summer is usually a season when dresses reign supreme, separates were out in big numbers at David Jones' spring-summer launch at Sydney's Fox Studios on Wednesday night.
Sheer brilliance: (from left) Jessica Gomes, Victoria Lee and Karolina Kurkova at rehearsals for the David Jones spring-summer launch on Wednesday.Credit: AAP
The parade, a harbinger of what's in style for the coming season, captured the mood of a consumer wanting their investment pieces to go further, with matching shell tops with skirts and fluid "shackets" (that's a shirt-jacket) replacing the man-style blazers that were huge just a year ago.
The overall result is versatility for busy customers who don't have time (or funds) to change between work and the theatre, or those who frequently travel. Heck, there was even a fur coat among the swimwear, which opened the show.
While the crowd of 350 media, celebrities and VIPs was smaller than some previous outings, it was more than compensated by the star power on the runway, which included several international models.
Czech supermodel Karolina Kurkova said, as a veteran of both the competitive gymnastics and modelling worlds, she tried to impart her experience to younger women and men in the industries.
"You have to take care of the trio: spirit, mind and body," she said.
Kurkova, 34, has walked for Victoria's Secret, has two children and is about to add "contributing editor" for Czech Vogue to her CV.
"It's [magazine editing] nothing new to me. Every time I work I am very involved in the creative process ... otherwise you can just get a robot to do what you want," she said.
"I bring much more than just being in front of camera. When I was 16, I would tell [photographer] Patrick Demarchelier, 'Patrick, I can do better ... one more roll [of film]' ... and then they would be like, 'You were right'. Nobody needs to push me, it's how I am and I want to push everyone else to be the best."
Kurkova, who at 16 was the youngest woman to star on the cover of Vogue, said she was proud the fashion industry had started representing a broader range of ages on the runway and in editorial.
"We're on a great path ... it's awesome for women to have someone [in the media] they can relate to. We are seeing it more than ever. We didn't have that 15 or 18 years ago."
From left: Jessica Gomes, Anwar Hadid, Adut Akech, Karolina Kurkova and Victoria Lee.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Also walking was Anwar Hadid, younger brother to mega-models Bella and Gigi Hadid, and Sudanese-born Australian model Adut Akech, who recently closed Chanel's show in Paris.
Four must-haves for summer
A statement trench coat: More for decoration than dodging puddles, look for sheer silk georgette for evenings, or glossy patents for day.
A shirt dress: One of the dominant "throw it on and go" silhouettes for summer. Team with sneakers or sandals.
The deconstructed suit: Whether it's a matching printed shirt and pants, or a shell top and shorts, the suit has had a playful makeover for summer after successive seasons of man-style dominance.
The pool slide: This style is not going anywhere. Look at Mara and Mine for a more ethnic-inspired take on the sporty favourite.
The reporter travelled to Sydney as a guest of David Jones.