Aurelio Costarella

This year marks a milestone for a number of local designers; Camilla and Marc and Jayson Brunsdon are both celebrating ten years, and Aurelio Costarella is marking a whopping 30 years in the fashion industry. The show was pure Aurelio — red carpet worthy gowns rich with embellishment to rival that of any couture house. Asymmetrically tiered tulle skirts added drama to sequinned bodices, waterfall draping made chic cocktail dresses landuid in a 1940s way and nipped-waistlines and tulle-draped corsets injected a sense of romance to the mash up of ready to wear and couture creations. 

• Colours: Sage, bronze, putty, grey, taupe, khaki, gold, white and black.
• Trends: Embellishment, Grecian draping, sheer panelling, tulle and corsetry.
• Key Looks: Beautifully detailed gowns that were made for the red carpet.
• Accessories: Sequinned headpieces by Reny Kestel and ankle strap stilletto peep-toe pumps. 

It's TV's night of nights, and the leading ladies of the show did not disappoint us when it came to their red carpet choices. Golden girl of the night, Carrie Bickmore (she's up for the biggest award of the show, the Gold Logie) wowed when she hit the carpet in a watermelon-hued Steven Khalil gown. Rebecca Judd was on the red carpet next, in a sexy and sheer J'Aton number, while Myer ambassador Lauren Phillips went for full-blown glamour in a metallic Arthur Galan gown, and Jennifer Hawkins literally sparkled in inky Jayson Brundson. We've got all the details on who's wearing what, as it comes through — click on to what all the stars are wearing!

In terms of wardrobe staples that every woman needs, the black pencil skirt is hovering somewhere around, oh, the very top of the list. Contrary to popular belief, pencil skirts are no longer the domain of working women — nowadays, these slick numbers are as at home on the social scene as they are in the boardroom. And before you think you've seen 'em all, let us tell you: there's no end to the variations of this classic piece. Whether it's basic cotton, quilted, leather, midi-length, mini-length or beautifully detailed, there's one you'll love mixing and matching with all the existing pieces in your wardrobe. Denim shirts? Tick. Plain white tee? Tick. Sexy, strappy cami, bold printed tops and slick jackets? Tick, tick, tick. What are you waiting for? Shop our top ten now!

The mood was set as soon as we spotted the entrance to Sydney's Horden Pavilion for last night's Myer Spring Summer '13 collection launch. A majestic landscape from South Africa's Pilansberg National Park was projected onto the face of the building, bathing it in a warm African golden glow — hinting at the savannah-inspired set inside. As the round curtain of thousands of individual ropes lifted, we were treated to a 360 degree view of Myer's new season edit. Fluid silk silhouettes, pretty pastel palettes, punchy graphic prints (often doubled-up for added visual impact) and ladylike shapes were the top-line trends, and star-of-the-show Jennifer Hawkins wore her five exits (Toni Maticevski, Ellery, Manning Cartell, Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins and Aurelio Costarella) with the practised confidence of a runway veteran. It was loud, it was big, it was fast, it was fun! Shirtless Kris Smith was really just the icing on the top of this African-themed fashion feast. Click through to see the very best looks from Myer's new season extravaganza.

Additonal images courtesy of Lucas Dawson.

Jennifer Hawkins and Kris Smith took to the runway in an assortment of upcoming trends for Myer’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection launch at the Hordern Pavilion last night. Jennifer opened the show in a custom designed South African-inspired Toni Maticevski creation and was joined by models in special designs by Jayson Brunsdon, Fleur Wood, Ellery, Aurelio Costarella, sass & bide and Manning Cartell. Later in the presentation she modelled her own Cozi swimwear line, wearing a printed bikini and leopard print kaftan. Kris’ varied looks included an Arthur Galan suit, casualwear from Blaq, and a shirtless stint to model Speedos. Step inside to see all the looks showcased by the Myer ambassadors!

Sources: Getty and Lucas Dawson

Ponytails are a style staple globally but if you're struggling to think of ways to make yours look, well, more interesting and not so gym-chic, you're in luck because Fashion Week just served up six new twists on the classic style. From a simple, two-second trick that'll add an instant glam factor to dual-textured and two-toned styles to equestrian-esque takes on the look, you can be as adventurous or low-key as you like when it comes to refreshing an ol' classic. Take a look.

With his trademark intricate beading, embroidery, feathers and pom-pom headdresses, Aurelio Costarella's Spring/Summer collection showing spoke to the '20s but maintained his luxe, layered, dessert-like feel. His team spent months hand-sewing the pom-pom headdresses, and his colour palette was sorbet-like and included chartreuse, dusty pink and turquoise; as well as ivory, black and pearl. Highlights included embroidered corsets, feathered sleeves, interesting waistlines, '20s silhouettes and fringed heels. In true Costarella style, some pieces were made purely for the red carpet, while the rest said practical glamour.

• Colours: Chartreuse, dusty pink, turquoise, ivory, black and pearl.
• Trends: Feathered sleeves, '20s silhouettes, attention on waistlines, corsets.
• Key Looks: Soft silk floor length gowns with delicate straps, feathered, layered drop waists.
• Accessories: Feathered heels and pom-pom headdresses.

"Aurelio Costarella doesn't really follow trends," hair director Lee Preston (Goldwell) said backstage. That meant that a sleek ponytail, the hot style of the season, had to get a fresh feel to it so Preston went down the equestrian route and created two ponytails on the occipital bone that were then "knotted" together to give the style a "slick, directional feel." But it didn't end there. Chalk powder was mixed in with a Goldwell gel to create a white paste that was brushed over models' part in the front. The makeup was equally eye-catching. James Molloy (MAC) created the 1920s gothic-inspired look, saying of the eye: "It's shadowy by not eye shadow." He didn't want any graphic lines, instead it was to look as though it was an effect from lighting. The look took lots of layering. First a taupe was applied all over the lid and outside of the brow bone, then a cream-base moss green was patted on top, and then finally a gold-green pigment to finish the "mesmerising melancholic look."

Jennifer Hawkins hit the runway yesterday for Myer's S/S collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival in Sydney, and by-gosh didn't she shine? Re-working the key pieces from the department store's new season runway show a few weeks ago, Jen got us excited all over again about the promise of bright colour, breezy maxi dresses and brand spankin' new swimwear. On her run sheet? Designs by Fleur Wood, Aurelio Costarella and her very own Cozi swimwear line. Take your front row seat (warning: Jen's trim-as bod may have you running to the gym this weekend!)...