By Keeva Stratton
While the wait was long and the queues aplenty, the Rachel Gilbert show was worthy of every minute…
Following a series of dramatic black gowns that were meticulously beaded into various asymmetrical shapes, the intensity was soon broken by a short, white, beaded gown with a tutu-like skirt that was detailed and at the same time whimsical.
From there on in, romantic shades of pink were introduced, followed by billowing full skirts, silver beading – and then this idyllic collection was wonderfully punctuated with candy pink gown that was reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. And diamonds indeed proved to be a girl’s best friend, with diamante encrustations adding highlights to various details, from corsetry to gloves, which brought this uber-glamorous series to its crescendo.
Rachel Gilbert took the audience by the hand and guided them on her tour through various expressions of feminine glamour, which were at times old Hollywood and at others reminiscent of Camelot (the Kennedy version). While her show was filled with classic references, her immaculate beading and overt perfectionism created a collection that is unique in its own right, and quite something to behold.
With a front row that included Annalise Braakensiek, April Rose Pengilly (the daughter of INXS legend Kirk Pengilly), and Kate Waterhouse, and a line up of models that included Samantha Harris, Sarah Stephens and Tallulah Morton, the show carried great expectations. But from the moment the first intricately beaded gown appeared on the runway, those expectations were without doubt exceeded. For more RAFW coverage, log on daily to the RESCU Events section for our beauty and fashion runway reports.
