Words by Becca Bell
Adelaide fashion festival has ended, the blush veil has fallen. Mandarin and peach coloured Mercedes-Benz left Torrens Parade Grounds leaving trails of the past week, resonating smoke from the past week of joyous events celebrating South Australian fashion labels.
The festival began on a cold wednesday evening, the wind pushed against the white marquee protecting the guests from is harsh touch. Luckily, the wonderful McCafe served guests with free coffee, hot chocolates and delicious macaroons.
Excitement filled the air while we waited for the doors to open and let us join Paolo Sebastian’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. At 5:30pm, once everyone had taken their seats, the Adelaide symphony orchestra started. Laying out the scene, rhythmically the models came into light, dressed intricately as if she walked from the 1890s Russia. Gracefulling gliding down the runway. Paul Vastiff’s intricate designs and imagination come to life, the The Atlier’s seamstressing handwork. One after another the models enchanted the audience with their increible gowns, outlining different themes within the nutcracker. The orchestra transported you into a magical world, the fabrics came to life and the atmosphere tasted like honeydew. Unlike other years where the Paolo Sebastian collection has been met on the runway with fanciful decorations whisking you away into paul vastiffs imagination. This year the runway was simple and empty, but this only empowered the dress to contrast with the boring surrounding, the couture was the focus and there was no disappointment there. Although i was excited to see the runway dressed up, laced with trees and rose petals such as the past years. Paolo Sebastian’s 2018-19 AW Couture collection was breathtaking, Adelaide symphony orchestra only enhanced the experience to an extent i cannot describe.
Once the show ended, we were herded back to the white Marquee, the bass thumping through our veins and the bright lights dragging us back to the real world. We’re not in the 19th century russia and we can’t just walk around in delicate fabrics that barely hide womens nipples. Luckily to help ease the pain, Wicks Estate and 2KW bar were there to help with their spectacular concoctions inspired by the festival. A glass room situated in the centre of the marquee, filled with silver and rose coloured balloons, guest lined up to have their photograph professionally amongst them. Situated next to the packed hair and beauty salon was the vibrant orange Mercedes-Benz 4WD, driven onto a foot of sand. It’s a mystery how it got there. But nonetheless, Adelaide Fashion Festival really outdid themselves this year.
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