Alice McCall was one of my favourites of the shows I saw at RAFW. Perhaps it’s because her design more resembles our kiwi sensibility wherein the garment stands alone – a lot of Australian fashion to my eye relies more on its interplay with the stunning body that is modelling it.
First let me give you first impression standouts – a gorgeous ivory ground print with egg yolk yellow and rich red; glittery applique on opaque mint short shorts; the sharpest laser cut of a week of laser cuts, in this instance punchy rectangles. Oh, and pants that made really bold use of the large prints in which they were intricately cut.
Then you read the show notes and the delightful ensemble of textures and prints is explained – this is the tea party come to life! “A broderie clothed table…plays host to mismatched china, cut crystal, and delicate petits fours.”
What made this collection of consistently beautiful pieces a winner for me, were the interesting and innovative shapes. While McCall totally embraces and flatters the feminine form, you wouldn’t have to be a size 0 to wear them well. I predict it’ll be more than just the “ever so youthful girl” talked about in the show notes, who embraces this both edgy and luxurious collection.
– Julie Roulston
View more images from Alice McCall's RAFW show here
