The  L’Oreal Paris Runway 3 took the audience on a tour through decades of fashion glamour and style with due respect paid to the 20s, 50s and, of course, the 80s. The designs stuck to the trend set by Runway 1 which shows the Melbourne fashion scene won’t be giving up its penchant for black anytime soon.

Thurley were first on the runway, showing a classic and romantic collection with nude tones, lace, and sheer fabric setting the mood. Hemlines and necklines harked back to the 1920s with boyish cut bodices and dropped hemlines, while sequins and metallic embellishment added modern and on-trend touches.

The palette was kept to blacks and nudes as Aurelio Costarella took to the runway. Ruffles and volume were key to the look, with Victorian-style high necklines making more than one appearance. Very wide belts and girdles were a standout feature paired with most designs that created a severe silhouette.

Nevenka picked up the feminine feel of the parade with swathes of lace, sheers, ruffles and ruching. Velvet and leather were a common canvas of the designs, showing the designer’s ability to range from luxe to tough. There was a strong vibe of Scarlett-O’Hara-wearing-the-drapes to some velvet dresses with puffed sleeves and gold cord belts.

Anna Thomas and Megan Park showed a more wearable, day-to-day style. Anna Thomas’s collection featured vintage-inspired patterned prints in very wearable sheath dresses and a range of lovely winter coats. The red pea coat with black piping was a standout of the collection.

Megan Park mixed patterns in her designs to create interesting combinations of vintage-patterned blouses and dresses with contrast sleeves.

Lisa Ho stepped things up a notch from the moment her first design stepped onto the runway: a purple, ostrich-feather miniskirt and purple military jacket. Lace panelling added interest to basic structured dresses, while shoulder ruffles and shoulder pads were used to cast strong silhouettes. A bejewelled, cropped leather jacket and jewelled shoulders featured in several designs took embellishment to the next level.

Jayson Brunsdon continued this shiny trend with a clinging, sequinned gold dress and a pair of glittering minishorts.

Gwendolynne, too, showed sequinned boleros and jewelled hemlines in a collection of Grecian-inspired draping gowns.

As the models took to the stage at the end of the show, the popular trends were clear. Black and cream dominated the show, set off by strong jewellery or embellishment. Designers had created varied and interesting silhouettes and shapes, with a strong theme of period revival.

Perfect Prose by Steph Anderson

Imagery by Christos Pavlidis