By Jenna Black
Rescu. chats exclusively to Alex Perry about his highly anticipated show at RAFW. Find out about his influences for the collection and what to expect on the runway.
Background and History
Sophisticated, feminine and elegant; these are the words that come to mind when we think of the Alex Perry label. Designer Alex Perry takes women to a whole new level of confidence with his glamorous designs. Elegant evening and bridal couture is where Alex Perry shines and has come to be known as one of Australia’s most well known and respected designers. Perry opened his first atelier in 1992, and has since designed for a host of celebrities and high profile personalities around the world including Elle MacPherson and Natalie Portman.
As we eagerly await the 15th anniversary of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, we know that Alex Perry will bring a stunning and sensational show to the week. He has shown annually in every RAFW since 1997, and with such a momentous occasion as the 15th year, we await the beauty and glamour that he will no doubt bring to the runway.
Rescu. recently chatted to Alex Perry about his highly anticipated show at RAFW, his influences for the new collection and his collaboration with Napoleon Perdis and Renya Xydis.
RESCU: Your show at RAFW is fast approaching, and is set to be one of the biggest over the week. Can you tell us the background to choosing an Arabian Princess theme and why this is your source of inspiration for the collection?
Alex Perry: “Every season, I design with my muse, “the Perry Girl” in mind. This mythical style Princess embodies all the things I believe in – polished style, cheeky sense of fun, but above all else … drop dead glamour. Every season she jets to a new destination, and this Summer she is enticed by the exotic lands of Arabia. A white hot Arabian Summer is what Perry Girls long for this season. I have always loved the rich tapestry that is the Mid East – intricately patterned artwork, heavy beats of the drum, the dusty desert colour palette, luxurious sheer silks and of course, the delicate jewelled embellishments. My mind gets lost in the sensory overload that is this land of mystique.”
RESCU: You will be collaborating with makeup guru Napoleon Perdis and hair stylist Renya Xydis to produce each models look. Can you give us any hints to the makeup or hairstyles for the show?
Alex Perry: “As with all my shows, the clothes are so detailed that pared back hair and makeup are usually what’s called for. However, this year I managed to convince stylist Trevor Stones to unleash some [refined] high voltage glamour in the H&M department. Renya is a hair genius and this is our first fashion week collaboration together.
On behalf of GHD, Renya will be creating the hair direction, and let’s just say it will not disappoint. It’s been a long time since I showed big hair on the runway … but it’s a big show, in a big space where, let’s say a simple pony tail just won’t cut it. Napoleon and I have worked together for years and he is a creative force to be reckoned with. This year we are lucky enough to have Napoleon backstage to personally create the makeup. His trademark bronzer has been powdered back to a refined glimmer channeling St Tropez 1970’s. At the end of the day, get a trio of Greeks together to create an Arabian inspired look, and the result is a sleek polished feat of restrained glamour.”
Visit Alex Perry here: www.alexperry.com.au
Image source: Alex Perry website
