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Postcards

Ciao Di,

Through the Mercedes Benz connection with the Brisbane Fashion Festival Paul Hunt and I were able to attend the Zac Posen and Jayson Brunsdon collections at Bryant Park New York.

We were very excited, and even more so when we were escorted to the private bar sponsored by Mercedes Benz before the shows. It was fabulous. It is amazing what can be created in a tent, in a park, for a week, to show clothes. The decoration was splendid with tartan covered walls and deep couches strewn with furs.

Had we been there the night before, we would have been rubbing shoulders with Eva Longoria Parker, Sigourney Weaver and Susan Sarandon at the Michael Kors Show. As it was, we were surrounded by gorgeous models, including Alek Wek. We were like a couple of kids in a toy shop, not knowing what to look at first.

Fashionably late, we were led to our exellent seats for the show. Anna Wintour was already seated in the middle of the front row and Suzy Menkes appeared with her trademark topknot. Ms Wintour put on her huge sunglasses and the show began.

With a backdrop of gold painted chairs Zac Posen sent out a complex collection of pleated dresses, embroidered coats, tuxedo vests, French maid blouses and mini dresses in black, navy and ivory. The models had problems with their perilously high shoes, which were worn with black opaque tights.

There were a few stumbles, most notably an actual fall by experienced model, Karen Elson. Brisbane's Catherine McNeill managed to avoid that fate. There were a lot of Russian names on the model list. Some of them were extremely tiny. Apparently there is a trend now for the male models to be slight. What a pity - I like our healthy Australian models. The hair was slicked back and adorned with little black pom poms.

Too soon it was all over. Ms Wintour left the room with her entourage trailing in her wake and we went on to Jayson Brundson. The venue was a smaller room called the salon. There was no less excitement. Jennifer Hawkins was centre front row and it was standing room only.

The show began with a black merino turtle neck under a red silk faille mini dress. Once again there were black opaque tights, this time alternated with mustard and purple. There were minidresses, pretty coats cloaks and jackets and some lovely evening gowns. There was mostly black, with an occasional heart print. Australian merino wool was used to great effect. The hair and make up made the girls look like corpses, which was unfortunate as the clothes were fun.

For us it was out into the cold night for a brisk walk home through the New York streets. I can't wait to do it again.

Deb
Debra Kolkka, fashion advisor and world traveller.

Dear Di,

Happy New Year darling. Back in town and back at work after a fabulous (nearly) month in America. It was a very girly trip. Saw lots of girlfriends, did lots of shopping, the sales were fantastic and the spectacular furs in Lake Tahoe and New York were all 50% and 60% off. Soooo tempting.

I took a friend to Harry Cipriani’s for dinner. It is one of the hottest restaurants in New York, at the Sherry Netherlands and her eyes were agog at the super models, ritzy glamourous people. I got a cold as it was freezing despite my many layers and my mink. Think it was the night air on my throat when I walked home from the Broadway shows.

I bought a fabulous new Escada suit on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue and a beautiful Ellen Tracy jacket – she is a prominent American designer and her designs really suit me. The G’Day USA dinner was a hoot. I had a ball. Can’t remember what anyone wore but it was a great night. I am sending you some photos.

The exquisite group of models wearing Paspaley pearls in a tableau at the pre-dinner cocktail party, a photos of me and the fabulous and beautiful Australian Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr, Pauline Moffat (now Executive Director of the Indiana Fringe Festival) an moi with the Law and Order star Diana Neal (who plays Casey Novak in Law & Order). By all means use it and cut me out. There was a very brief parade of garments made from Merino Wool.

I thought the Miranda Kerr pic might be popular , as she is such a gorgeous Brisbane girl. Have also sent one of Julian McMahon as he was the recipient of the Excellence in Entertainmet Award.. Must fly away and get back to work.

Lots of love,
Annette Allison

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