A très Trelise night!

The sound of grinding metal and the throbbing of work tools were absent at the Coutts Mercedes Benz workshop in Newmarket last Friday.

Instead, the hum and drum of people, the clink of wine glasses and the click of heels against concrete were the sounds that filled the hall.

That's right, it was Trelise Cooper's annual showcase of her Summer 2013 collection which raised funds for the Breast Cancer Research Trust.

The usual faces were there – Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Carol Hirschfield who MC-ed – as were a good number of actresses, bloggers and socialites. Models paraded in dazzling ensembles made partially from Nespresso cans and Vodafone girls, garbed in air hostess attire, circled the workshop handing out nail polish.

First to usher in the night was the sedate Boardroom collection where naughty secretary/sexy corporate looks were seen gliding down the runway complete with black rim glasses.

Combining classic black and whites, shift dresses, blazers and slacks insinuated subtle, polished professionalism.

In contrast, the Cooper range arrived like a siren high on bubblegum pop, in eye-popping lime green, florals, neon brights and funky wigs.

Palm prints, wide stripes, polka dots and checks oozed candyfloss perfection as the ladies sashayed in lace shorts, flowing summer dresses and hats to the sound of Primadonna Girl.

The final collection, Trelise Cooper, was a toned down version of Cooper with still a good dose of quirky fun.

Pastel parasols with long, paper tendrils floated dreamily around the models (still wearing those eye-popping wigs) as they sauntered down the runway in light nudes, peaches, pinks and delicate white lace.

Later, venturing into bolder prints, sequins and psychedelic colours, this collection was an uninhibited expression of pop art and a feast for the eyes.

From this collection emerged a glorious red and white belted dress reminiscent of the ‘50s complete with a very full and structured hoop skirt and red frilling under the hem – like a magnificent poppy in bloom. 

Overall a sassy celebration of femininity painted with exploding colours, the show was a welcome and cheerful reminder to all that winter is drawing to a close – finally!
 

Imagery: The A-list