As a supporter of the arts and creative industries, the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is an annual event that I look forward to.

This year I attended the Camilla and Marc Grand Showcase. Held in the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building and showing both daywear and eveningwear, the show was a true fashion theatre experience.

Rich emerald green and midnight blue dominated the catwalk and dramatic satin and lush furs were used throughout the collection. The satin slips screamed sexy and had a definite disco glam vibe. A 21-piece orchestra added to the drama of the showcase, playing a theatrical electro score, which drew on some of the synthrock soundtracks from 1980’s films.

Also, I must mention that the festival organisers did a great job at providing between-show entertainment, with the front of the Royal Exhibition Building turned into a pop-up plaza with bars, tasting areas, and photo booths. My sister, Cerise, and I squeezed in some pre-show fun and enjoyed the pop-up offerings.

The evening was a wonderful celebration of Australian creativity.