The diverse faces of fashion presented themselves in style at Runway 2, presented by InStyle featuring Aurelio Costarella, Eastern Pearson, Hardwick, Kate Sylvester, Megan Park, Thurley, Rachel Gilbert and Trelise Cooper. Eastern Pearson pulled off an oriental vibe, with patterned silks in olive green and flowers worn as accessories while Aurelio Costarella was all about sharp, sculptural black leather, dusty greys and the perfect scarlet numbers. It was a gothic lace dream at Hardwick, with plenty of leg under layers of dark lace and tulle, leather corsets as outwear, delicate grey cobweb lace and plenty of adornment of feathers, chains and intricately beaded shoulders.
Kate Sylvester painted us a picture of a slightly sexy librarian – think long circle skirts and a soft grey knit, unbuttoned to reveal a lacy bra. Thurley produced what I predict to be the lust-have coat of the season – a sharp and smart black and white modern take on tweed, nipped in at the waist with a lash of leather, while Megan Park showed us ways to wear colour this winter without being too in your face. Her signature beading and embroidery lifted plainer pieces to something special, and the Habbot metallic brogues set all the cameras snapping.
Delicate evening wear came from Rachel Gilbert, in soft peaches and creams, pastel blues and shimmering silver and gold, but the real winner for me was Trelise Cooper. Playful, youthful and utterly cool, Cooper’s collection was filled with clashing colours and patterns that just worked together – the most valuable styling skill I think one can master.
