Rosemount Australia Fashion Week rolled out its red carpet for the man known as Australia’s most glamorous designer. With a star-studded front row, Alex Perry’s Spring-Summer 2009 presentation was arguably one of the most eagerly anticipated runway shows on the week’s lineup. Each season his princess muse sets out on a new adventure. Her most recent sojourn took the Alex Perry Princess on safari. And if there’s one man who can make a safari feel glamorous, the jungle seem sexy, and animal prints look elegant—it’s designer-to-the-stars-extraordinaire Alex Perry! The designer unveiled his new collection of 34 looks to a packed house, as his models sashayed out and struck a pose to Madonna’s fashion-anthem, “Vogue.”

Come on, vogue
Let your body move to the music [move to the music]
Hey, hey, hey
Come on, vogue
Let your body go with the flow [go with the flow]
You know you can do it

All you need is your own imagination
So use it that's what it's for [that's what it's for]
Go inside, for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door [open up the door]

 
This is one of the collections I was most looking forward to seeing. Ever since I spotted last April’s Vogue Australia when one of his divine creations graced the cover; the story was made complete with a doe-eyed model perched in a tree wearing a lovely floral signature gown. Alex Perry is known as the designer to starlets, industry insiders, and bridal parties; his red-carpet gowns consistently command attention at galas, award shows, and high-profile events. Some of his celebrity clients (aka Perry Girls) have included Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna, Megan Gale, Dannii Minogue, and Linda Evangelista. And the designer has not stopped at fabulous frocks; the Alex Perry brand has recently expanded to include tailored coordinates and an accessories line of stilettos, handbags, and jewelry.

The program notes set the stage recalling days of the British Raj, taking us back in time to India circa the early 1900’s. This sophisticated safari interpretation, will have your friends pawing with envy and your suitor growling for more. Catching up with Mr. Perry backstage, it was clear that he loves women and better still he understands us. It should come as no surprise that after more than 15 years in the business he knows a woman’s  physique, her tendencies, her insecurities—best of all he knows how to make a woman look her very best. Upon closer inspection of the elegant range, one can see that the design execution is second to none. These garments had hanger appeal and then some! Alex Perry’s designs counter today’s fast-fashion frenzy of “here-one-minute-and-gone-the-next.” With a master craftsmanship that is all too rare, these jaw-dropping creations actually held a dress form’s shape all on their own with the boning and construction of a courtier’s attention to detail. So you can imagine how fabulous they looked when modeled down the runway, molding and caressing every womanly curve!

With nearly three dozen looks, this was the hot ticket of the week; fashionistas, industry luminaries, and celebrity clientele alike, came out in droves to lend their support. My favorite looks included: a white dress with bow belt, a white appliqué tiered asymmetrical dress with nude underlay and lattice trim; a white off-the-shoulder ruffled dress with kick pleat; a green circle skirt with basketweave bodice; a cheetah print sequin gown; a strapless snow leopard gown with 4’ train; and a strapless tiered blush gown. The hair was long and Boticelli-esque pinned up on the sides flowing down in waves over the shoulders. The face was sunkissed and bronzed as one would expect from a safari holiday, with a strong brow, smouldering eyes, and a nude, peach, or pale pink mouth.

The colors, textures, and prints in this presentation were reminiscent of a hunting and gathering holiday, albeit the most luxurious of its kind—culling inspiration from the wildflowers plucked along the brush and animal skins evocative of daily scouts—even the sublime palette of white, blush, peach, and nude seemed to underscore that dusk-to-dawn serenity of being one with nature. Alex Perry’s Spring 2009 Collection had me chanting “lions and tigers, and zebras, oh my” as the gifted designer invited us along on this fashion fantasy of a sartorial safari, even if only for a vicarious thrill. At least on this excursion, the only stampede to be weary of is the lineup of fashionistas who will no doubt be beating down the doors of his Strand boutique come next spring!

For additional information, please visit http://www.alexperry.com.au/