Melbourne’s first Royal Botanic Runway was an evocative throwback to the golden era of hang-the-expense fashion shows.
Martin Grant
For one warm, sparkling afternoon, 60 beautiful young models, four pinnacle fashion collections by Aurelio Costarella, Akira Isogawa, Collette Dinnegan and Martin Grant, squadrons of creative professionals and an audience of 1400 took over one of the prettiest corners of the city’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
Collette Dinnegan
The event was conceived to raise funds for a marvellously complex water harvesting system that will eventually help the gardens become drought resistant.
Aurelio Costarella
But it also addressed another kind of drought. Fashionable thrills.
Akira
Catwalk shows may run as frequently as trains these days but to those obliged to witness dozens in a single season, they can also be as memorable as a daily commute.
Martin Grant
Royal Botanic Runway was a PING on fashion’s flat horizon.
Collette Dinnegan
Thrilling. A pinnacle show, a rare fusion of spectacular location, elegant models, beautiful fashion, evocative music and summer heat. Even the light perfume of a thousand flowers carried by the models as they moved gracefully through the gardens added to the intense sensory experience.
Akira
This is fashion as it should be served, with love and creativity, mindful how it will excite, inspire and entertain.
Collette Dinnegan
After the 40 minute show, with models spiralling up, then down the garden’s exotic earth works known as “Guilfoyles Volcano”, the audience dispersed – smiling – to various top-down tiers of add-on events included in their ticket price, from lawn-lounging to a black-tie dinner.
Fingers, legs and eyes crossed the complex concept, by Event Gallery’s Geraldine Frater-Wyeth, mustered enough funds to justify a repeat next year.
www.royalbotanicrunway.com.au
Janice Breen Burns, Voxfrock editor, jbb@voxfrock.com.au
