The champagne bubbles have waned and the catwalks are deserted once again following the latest round of department store Autumn/Winter 2013 season launches. David Jones and Myer kept very much to their respective home turfs this season, both showing in-house, DJs in their revamped 7th Floor space, Myer in their Mural Hall in Melbourne.
By Glynis Traill-Nash
David Jones is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year – which is a milestone in anyone’s reckoning. Hence, they took a glamorous heritage angle in their presentation, with chandeliers and vintage signage. It was a big show, and a long show, and included live performances from Megan Washington and Paul Mac.
Miranda Kerr opened the show in Ellery – the big news of the preceding weeks being, of course, the legal stoush between Kym Ellery and Myer, to whom she was allegedly exclusively contracted when she signed with David Jones. But Kerr was almost upstaged by the other big name, Jessica Gomes, who is a sexy, relaxed runway presence.
The store’s stalwarts were all on the catwalk, including Alex Perry, Collette Dinnigan, Josh Goot, Bassike, camilla and marc, Easton Pearson, Ginger & Smart, Thurley and Lover. Other newcomers, aside from Ellery, were new signing Rachel Gilbert, whose cocktail and evening sequins got the Gomes treatment, and Bec & Bridge, who made their catwalk debut for the store.
The finale was left to Dion Lee, and it was a typically striking outing, featuring thermal imaging prints and slashed and twisted leather.
The Myer show seemed a slightly more low-key affair, but where David Jones went heritage, Myer kept things sleek and modern. The audience were kept to one side of the runway, which had a backdrop featuring digital captioning and oversized images of its face Jennifer Hawkins and Alexandra Agoston, who was signed exclusively over their rivals for the event. Agoston certainly lent a high-fashion air to this more democratic fashion outing, which included its in-house labels, Basque and Blaq and high street favourite Cue.
Agoston took the opening exit in a white Maticevski gown with beading at the hip, with Jen closing that section in black leather. Featured designers who also attended the show included Jayson Brunsdon, Fleur Wood, Toni Maticevski, Yeojin Bae, Arthur Galan, Wayne Cooper, the Manning Cartell sisters, Cheryl, Vanessa and Gabrielle, Leona Edmiston and the ever-cool Karen Walker, sporting a chic new cropped haircut.
And, of course, not an Ellery in sight.
The finale from sass & bide – now owned by Myer – was frankly beautiful, and was the perfect blend of their street smarts and a more refined, classic glamour.
And yes, everything is in store now.
