TELSTRA PERTH FASHION FESTIVAL CLOSING NIGHT
30 Years of Wheels & Dollbaby
w/ The Divinyls feat Izzi and Jack (The Preatures)
What a night. As one would expect with a line up of such phenomenal talent, closing night did not disappoint with an endless amount of rapturous fashion, Divinyls joy and pure glamour from Perth’s elite. Following a fabulous week of fashion, Telstra Perth Fashion Festival provided in spades to close the festival with a stellar night of rocking glam.
Opening with drinks in the VIP lounge, guests were treated to catering by aficionados of all things gourmet by Heyder and Shears, and beverages by Asahi, Mistwood Gin and Cherubino wines while mingling and schmoozing.
Moving onto the feature presentation of fashion in the TPFF Fashion Village, gift bags offered treats galore, including Lush Magnamity masks, L’Oreal Mythic Oil, The Body Shop perfume, supplements from Miss Vitality, and a free brunch from Rochelle Adonis, among an array of discounted services from premium purveyors of luxe services in Perth.
The greatly anticipated 30th birthday presentation by Melanie Greensmith’s beloved Wheels and Dollbaby did not disappoint. Opening with well wishes from none other than Dita Von Teese, Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Wheels predictably delivered the goods with a feast of eye candy for the soul in deliciously diverse packaging. All sizes, all body shapes, all skin tones were represented, and a stunningly curvaceous model was cheered heartily as she sashayed and stomped the very heart out of that catwalk and the appreciative crowd. The achingly beautiful face of Wheels, Elle Brittain, was breathtaking in every piece with which she graced the runway. Curves and swerves were celebrated and served in consummate style.
Between emerald fantasies, Wedgewood reminiscent blue on white prints, gold wonderlands and velvet wet dreams, Greensmith served ferocity and attitude to work with every body type. An ever-present reminder of the glory days of fashion, reworked and reimagined, Wheels endures at the forefront of Australian and international fashion for good reason. A constant celebration of the many facets of the female form, Wheels and Dollbaby continue to be a mainstay of alt fashionistas.
Loathe to criticise Wheels and Dollbaby, but the use of PVC in the collection was not a highlight. Seeing Greensmith explore latex in future collections would be welcomed, but PVC is basically baby’s first fetwear, doesn’t hang well, and will tend to bunch in places, leaving an unflattering silhouette on ready to wear pieces. It’s unappealing aesthetically, unless used in a fabulous coat such as the one sported by Izzi Manfredi (The Preatures) during her frenetic set with The Divinyls. Their set immediately following the show exceeded all expectations.
Predictably, classics such as Science Fiction, Pleasure and Pain and I Touch Myself were shimmering beacons of nostalgia, gathering the crowd onto their collective feet in a unanimous sway of appreciation. Closing with a couple of Preatures numbers then the much anticipated Boys in Town, the crowd were enthusiastic in greatly deserved applause. Izzi did Chrissy proud, with perfectly toned throaty vocals that crept into your very soul and took a seat.
The sun setting on this year’s Perth Fashion Festival was nothing short of glorious, and yet another reason for our state to be so proud of all we produce.
NATALIE GILES
Photos courtesy of telstraperthfashionfestival.com.au
