A stage full of talented professional dancers influencing fashion, with trademark slinky moves, thrusting choreography and precise leg-ups sounds a little estranged from the usual hair fashion event. But to the lucky spectators of this new approach to catwalk presentations and fashion showcases, CATWALKTHEATRE made its sexy debut in the L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival program last month. And as proud sponsors of this novelty fashion affair, we couldn’t wait to bring you all the goss!
An extravagant fusion of fashion, hair, music, theatre and dance proved to be a delight and extremely well received sideshow to this year’s LMFF. Showcasing Australia’s great avant-garde fashion designers to a crowded Melbourne Federation Square to kick off the festival, the night began with Chambord cocktails and touch of celebrity spotting in the audience. Anthony Capon, winner of the 2009 Project Runway, and Australian comedian and actress Jane Turner were a couple of stars within the mix on that bright evening of March 9.
Jessica Ward from CircaNICA opened the show and left the audience stunned and amazed with her captivating performance. Ward’s expertise incorporated a hand-balancing act perched upon three canes – together with her extreme flexibility and co-ordination; this young performer certainly opened the show with a bang.
Launching the designer showcases were numerous professional dancers from Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance. The dancers wore Alexandra Harper’s exquisite black and white millinery collection. Following the spectacle an array of new and exciting designs from Sally Jones, Paula Kyle Walden, Daniela Orlando, Ever Layne, Nikolina Concepts, Lisa Maree, Eva Q Design, Fauve, Metal Couture, Justine Davis and Made in Donald left the audience in awe.
With such displays of fashion and talent it was only fitting to have designer Amber Renae as presenter, inviting Mindy Jackson from Rogue Traders to draw the lucky winner of the door prize – a Mini for the weekend, from Bib Stillwell’s Mini Garage, was won by an elated Em Carman.
Overall the debut production of CatwalkTheatre was a hoot and a hit! “The development of CatwalkTheatre is a creative exercise in itself,” says creator Oscar Calvo of OC Communications & Events. “We have been delighted to premiere these collections of performances and pieces that powerfully exuded an extravagant fusion of fashion, theatre, music and dance.”
A successful and exciting launch event, we can only hope for future spectacles just as bold and bright as this catwalk proved to be!