SHOW: Alice McCall – Resort 2017
LOCATION: Porteno, Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
DATE: May. 17
START TIME: 9PM
TOP INSTA LOOK: The intimate dinner and presentation took place at Sydney’s Argentinean hot spot Porteno, where sets were decked out with floral wallpaper, shaggy rugs and bright retro furniture in hot pink and banana yellow, with the models engaged in titillating one-way conversations with their their marriage dissatisfaction.
BEHIND THE SCENES: The McCall team spent more than two months hand-selecting set props, which included large mirrors, vintage yellow and teal analogue phones, retro plastic chairs and oversized stone urns.
OFF PROBATION: A sheer tank powder blue fitted midi dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and asymmetrical ruffles, the perfect afternoon attire for the desperate housewife fresh off the final season of Mad Men with aspirations of developing a Betty Draper-style drinking habit.
GOOD BEHAVIOUR BOND: A sheer black signature playsuit with contrasting hem, complete with an illusory deep V and peppered with polka dots and ruffles. Think the sort of attire Austin Powers’ offspring might don when reenacting the grooviest scene of debauchery from Beyond Valley of the Dolls. The aforementioned movie – about three girls intent on making it big in Hollywood, but only find sex, drugs and sleaze – might have been the inspiration for Alice McCall’s latest collection, but the looks were of the PG-variety, but for the cheeky high hemlines.
INSPIRED BY: Rock and roll flicks from the 60’s and 70’s and iconic crooners Grace Jones and Jane Birkin.
POP CULTURE-NOD: Carly Rae Jepsen attempting a career revival by recording a follow up to Call Me Maybe on the former set of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’, using characters from Almost Famous to up her street cred. Titled ‘Between Us’, the presentation offered up a series of Stepford Wives who appeared to suggest that the only thing between them and a life outside the marital home was a phone call to a mysterious lover with whom to stage a sordid affair.
WEAR IT TO: The Governors Ball on Randall’s Island after a morning of sipping sugar-free Vodka Cruisers while perfecting your retro waves, ensuring your bestie’s half-head corn rows and crimped hair are also on point. To up your Instagram likes, focus on retro bright makeup and popping gold and red eyes. Unlike Mad Men, the only Lucky Strikes you’ll be smoking are the wolf whistles from the gents admiring your legs for days in your sheer romper.
OVERHEARD COURTSIDE: “Have you heard how many stores they’re opening in Asia? I think it’s influencing the design strategy now.” – In reference to the brands continued expansion in the region.
SPOTTED: Carissa Walford, Samantha Jade, Demi Harman.
COLOR WHEEL: Ballet pink, lemon yellow, sunburnt amber, baby blue.
BEATS: Jazzy pop singer Sarsha Simone serenaded guests throughout the dinner.
THE DOCKET: Bell sleeves, racy hemlines, sheer panels and ruffles populated the designer’s latest collection in pretty lace, spotted tulle, Chantilly lace and broderie anglaise, with the sets creating so many throwbacks to the swinging 60’s and 70’s than a Saturday Night Fever-themed college roller disco held at Studio 54. Racy rompers, figure-hugging midi dresses and one-shoulder separates will ensure you snag yourself a Don Draper to drink away the afternoons with all summer long.
