Legs on show in retro fashion

A flirty 1970s vibe featured in two of the early shows on day one of Australian Fashion Week, which officially started yesterday in Sydney.

The industry-only event that showcases spring-summer 2011-12 fashion collections to buyers, media and a handful of celebrities opened with Zimmermann's runway presentation.

At the Classic Throttle Shop, Zimmermann presented soft, floaty looks in a muted, innocent palette mixed up with the occasional floral print or pop of colour. 

Silhouette s were loose and flowing and there were plenty of lace details and origami-style folded embellishments. Garments featured big flashes of leg and cleavage and a relaxed attitude. The 1970s references were apparent in the maxi dresses, bell sleeves, jumpsuits and unfussy, beach-ready hair.

Bec & Bridge's show continued the retro feel, with more florals, body conscious clinging fabrics and wrap dresses. Some models wore pastel gangster-style hats the result of a collaboration with Australian hat makers Akubra and there were also high-waisted shorts and the occasional burst of burnt orange. Like at Zimmermann, there was plenty of leg on display. 

Gold lame gear such as a pussy bow blouse and a one-shouldered frock looked just right for gyrating about in Studio 54. A scanty mesh top, skirt and frock revealed plenty of skin.

''We were definitely inspired by Bianca Jagger and Lauren Hutton in the late 1970s,'' designers Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston said. ''They epitomise sensuality, success and a nonchalant sex appeal that is key to our brand.''

Alex Perry added a good dose of Hollywood glamour with his collection, which featured floor-skimming, red carpet gowns plus ladylike cocktail frocks in vivid primary hues contrasted with floral-printed black.

Supermodel Yasmin Le Bon will walk the runway for Little Joe Woman today.

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Purple Gypsy 05 Emma Silk Tube Maxi Dress

Purple Gypsy 05 Emma Silk Tube Maxi Dress


As seen on Paris Hilton, the Purple Gypsy 05 Emma Silk Tube Maxi Dress has a beach-beautiful vibe. Features include a tube top, elasticized drawstring waist, and extra long length. Available in lavender, as seen on Paris. Made in Hollywood, California

Topshop High Summer with go-behind-the-scenes video camp

Topshop has launched its High Summer 2010 collections, just in time for the sunshine. To accompany the new collections, Topshop customers can access a behind-the-scenes video from the brand’s advertising campaign shoot which shows the newest trends for the summer season. Packed with styling ideas, it is the perfect way to get inspired and choose what to fill your wardrobe with.

Topshop’s in-house design team have the enviable task of finalising the trends the store will feature each season. They do this by trawling the globe in search of the most exciting new pieces, snapping great street style looks, and being inspired by all the cool places they visit. These ideas are then brainstormed, developed, and crystallised into the current Topshop High Summer collections.

For summer there are a lot of new looks to have fun with. Summer Fete offers a mix of sorbet shades, pretty prints and bleached-out denim, whilst in Festival Army, military-inspired pieces have a grungy edge. In Club Tropicana, body conscious summer dresses and hotpants in bold prints and colours look at home on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Finally, jersey maxi dresses, sleeveless denim gilets and towering platforms offer slick city chic in Body Armour. Topshop dresses continue to be key, particularly those featuring pretty sherbet colours and pastel ginghams. Shoes are also a big trend for SS10 with wedges and clogs taking centre stage.

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