Meet Molly Jones, below, on her second tour as a Voxfrock Rookie fashion journalist and assigned to cover the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival‘s zenith event, the Carla Zampatti Grand Showcase. Molly has a Diploma of Entertainment Journalism and is partway through a communications degree at RMIT University. One day, she says, she hopes to combine her passion for journalism, fashion and business in a public relations career.
An Elegant Icon Photographs: Lucas Dawson
Fashion legend Carla Zampatti’s show opened with a hazy spotlight rising to reveal Eurovision and X-factor alumni Dami Im and her piano perched high above the bleachers on a spectacular mezzanine stage.
Melancholic notes from an accompanying violinist filled the vast room and Zampatti’s 80 piece collection show began in a romantic convergence of music and fashion.
Zampatti’s signature corporate tailoring and cocktail wear appeared first in fire engine red, models styled with the fluid colour head to toe in matched stockings, pointed stilettos, intricate necklines and assymetric silhouettes.
Next, a group of faded candy blues were juxtaposed with graphic black eyeliner and slicked-back hair, a striking combination of masculinity and innocence.
Skin-skimming zebra print dresses with plunging necklines and leopard print fur jackets were a nod to Zampatti’s signature style and the trend that’s returned to take over autumn/winter 2019.
Sequins glistened on mesh mini dresses and shapely one-shoulder cocktail gowns as Dami Im’s powerful voice evoked a Parisien midnight. Poetry in motion.
Zampatti’s legendary way with eveningwear, monochrome and silhouettes adorned with tassels, beads and tulle encapsulated the level of elegance only a designer with five decades experience could cultivate.
