It was the fashion week show everyone wanted to attend. On Friday night, New York fashion house Oscar de la Renta closed Australian fashion week 2016, presenting their summer 2016 collection to an admiring audience of fashion folk and society ladies at Sydney’s Carriageworks. It was the Australian debut of the New York fashion label and while creative director Peter Copping did not attend, Eliza Bolen, the stepdaughter of the late Oscar de la Renta and the brand’s executive vice-president, was in the audience.
Stepping out to an orchestral version of Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach, Australian model Shanina Shaik opened the show, wearing a bright poppy fil coupe embroidered skirt, crepe de chine blouse and tweed blazer. More than 50 day dresses, pencil skirts, cocktail dresses and sculpted gowns designed for the Park Avenue or Double Bay ladies followed.
There was a smattering of tailored daywear: a black and white tweed dress, a sleeveless yellow day dress. But the woman who lunches requires a never ending supply of cocktail dresses and gowns, and there was a parade of bright yellow, mulberry, burnt orange and mint options on show. Those who plump for the perennial black dresses are sure to delight in a very wearable knee length black cocktail dress with draping and a draped black velvet gown with a plunging back.
The silhouettes for many of the sculpted gowns were clean and flattering, with a focus on lace, embroidery, beading and other fine details. A strapless white silk gown swirled with black sequin floral embroidery, and a golden cocktail dress sparkled with delicate crystals.
With all the details on the dresses, accessories were minimal, and most models sported only long bejewelled drop earrings, while their hair was swept up into a neat up-do, paired with winged eyeliner and matt skin. The show closed with a romantic ivory organza bridal gown, layered with organza embroidery. Two beaming flower girls clutching spring bouquets accompanied the bride as she stepped down the runway. Although distinctly New York, the collection was wearable and aimed squarely at its international clientele. Many of those who floated happily into the Sydney night would undoubtedly be writing up their wish lists on their way home.
More Oscar de la Renta’s Sydney Fashion Show image from fashionista
