By Marja Rönty
Esteemed Australian milliner Suzy O’Rourke’s Spring 2011 Fairground show was as sweet and tempting as the marshmallows and candy with which she treated selected guests and clients at her Darling Point Salon.
Inspired by the delightful sights and sounds of a Parisian carnival, the jewel-encrusted cocktail pillboxes, berets and wide headbands – with names like Licorice Allsorts, Roller Coaster and House of Mirrors – were modelled by beautiful ballerinas amidst a fantasy tour across three rooms that featured balloons, gilt mirrors and a stunning ribbon carousel with a magnificent chandelier at its centre.
“We had so much fun creating this playful collection,” says O’Rourke, who launched her eponymous label in 2003. She has since built a dedicated clientele for her hand-crafted headpieces in Australia and around the world, and seen her work featured in Australian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire, to name but a few.
The Fairground pieces were delightful in dreamy sorbet organza pleats, ruffles and lace – plenty of which was on display with O’Rourke’s workroom doors flung wide open to reveal the luxurious raw materials and equipment she uses to bring her vision to life.
Delighting in O’Rourke’s delicious treats, guests couldn’t help queuing in front of the mirrors to try on her equally sweet designs. Well, with Soft Serve, Lucky Dip and Fairy Floss at your fingertips, who could resist?
“It is so wonderful to see guests enjoying the pieces in this magical setting,” O’Rourke said as the show drew to a close and more merriment was guaranteed in the form of goodie bags filled with MOR Cosmetics Little Luxuries, Michael Wolff Salon vouchers and Pariya Persian Fairy Floss. “It is so much more than fashion. It is wearable art.”
Visit www.suzyorourke.com.au to view all of Suzy O’Rourke collections.
Call or email Suzy O’Rourke to organise a viewing at her Darling Point salon: 0412 194 101 or email suzy@suzyorourke.com.au
