Tarvydas shows off frocks and flesh
Ruth Tarvydas, Australia's shock frock specialist, did not disappoint last night, sending models down the catwalk wearing dresses slashed all over - and showing off as much flesh as possible.
Cricketer Mitchell Johnson's partner and karate champion Jessica Bratich opened the show wearing a white sparkling floor length gown reminiscent of a wedding dress (what will Johnson's outspoken mother think?) that had a sense of old world glamour about it.
As Johnson bowled for Australia on the other side of the world, Bratich bowled over the packed crowd at Fashion Paramount, the transformed old gasworks building in the city.
As Bratich appeared on the runway, a gust of wind blew the gown around her legs Marilyn Monroe style, kicking off a beautiful, sexy and sometimes shocking parade, the last big designer show of the Perth Fashion Festival.
Bratich has become a favourite of the fashion brand after capturing the nation's attention on the red carpet at the Allan Border Medal, wearing a yellow Tarvydas gown slashed sky high which was blown apart by the wind.
Last night's show featured a big range of dresses and gowns. From sparkling teeny-weeny mini dresses to '80s prom-style frocks in bold colours, pretty delicate gowns with trains billowing behind to dresses with cut-outs exposing flesh all over, the show had something for everyone.
Dresses impressed with intricate embellishment, stunning detail and plenty of va-va-voom.
The collection, also influenced by designer Lara Kovacevich who works closely with Tarvydas, included a number of dresses in the same style as the Australia costume worn by Miss Australia Rachael Finch during the recent Miss Universe pageant.
Tarvydas creations have always been popular with sport star WAGs, and many of the gowns unveiled last night are sure to make an appearance at the coming Brownlow Medal ceremony.
But the talk of the fashion folk afterwards was a gorgeous red gown that took "that" red dress worn by Rebecca Twigley to the Brownlow years ago to a whole prettier, classier level while still being slashed to the waist at the back. This red dress is sure to be a hit with buyers.
When Tarvydas walked the runway to rapturous applause at the end of the show, she stopped to hug high-profile fans Em Rusciano and Bree Maddox, dragging Maddox (wearing a cleavage-bearing Tarvydas design) to the end of the catwalk where she gestured in worship to the designer.
Afterwards the fashion pack including models, media and more moved to the nearby Fashion TV Bar to enjoy drinks and tunes in the makeshift carpark venue.
Bratich said she had enjoyed her first foray into modelling, and would take up any other opportunities if they arose.
Recovering from a hip injury, she said she might go visit her partner in India soon.
"I was nervous, but that was such an adrenalin rush," she said of headlining the show.
Source: watoday.com.au
