Jayson Brunsdon

Two words come to mind when viewing a Jayson Brunsdon collection — sophisticated lady! The Aussie designer celebrates the female form with his clever reincarnations of classic tailoring, and his recent 2013/14 Spring/Summer presentation provided the perfect dose of modern glamour fit for every occasion. For after-five events, brocade column dresses, high-shine separates and strapless silhouettes gave a sense of ease when worn down the runway with metallic flats and stilettos, while boxy tops and jackets provided the perfect daytime option for work or play. Yes, there were the obvious retro references hinting at a bygone era, but the addition of slouchy pockets and seductive silhouettes to this new-season range add just the right amount of cool to a collection fit for a Queen. 

• Colours: Black, red, white, mint green.
• Trends: Retro glamour, pencil skirts, column shapes, dresses over cigarette pants, pockets, boxy shapes.
• Key Looks: Red strapless dresses with pockets, V-neck halter dress, ankle skimming cigarette pants.
• Accessories: Metallic flats and two-strap sandals, fuss-free clutches, cat-eye sunglasses.

Tresemme's Joh Bailey took the hair to cinematic proportions for Jayson Brunsdon's show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia today. Poker-straight strands were doused in gel and hairspray to create hair that looks up from the front, but down from the back. Mac Cosmetics' Nicole Thompson went for fierce but classic makeup, and used the brand's new, creamy foundation to create easy-to-copy skin. Come, come.

When we received an invitation from IMG with a secret location, we knew something was up. Yesterday morning our 10am meet-point was revealed via email, and with it the suggestion that Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia had found a new home. Sydney's Carriageworks in Redfern will play host to next year's fashion week festivities, and run on a new schedule - from April 8th to April 12th, 2013. An extended trade show and exhibition programme called PREMIERE will run concurrently with the traditional BFWA schedule, combining "the existing Designer Suite Program and AEC’s Premiere exhibitor inventory to extend the opportunity for new Spring/Summer wholesale collections to be sold directly to registered buyers of both events, and is likely to increase local and international buyer attendance," according to IMG.

Regarding the new earlier time (fashion week is usually held during the end of April/first week of May), Elle Persson, the director of strategy and brand development for IMG said, "The new calendar for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia allows designers time to deliver a collection ready for the runway, maximise media attention and increase domestic sales opportunities. This date also ensures high profile international exposure aligning with the global fashion event calendar.”

What do you think of the new move? Before having your say, step inside to get a glimpse of the floor plans and designers on deck for MBFWA 2013.

The mood was set as soon as we spotted the entrance to Sydney's Horden Pavilion for last night's Myer Spring Summer '13 collection launch. A majestic landscape from South Africa's Pilansberg National Park was projected onto the face of the building, bathing it in a warm African golden glow — hinting at the savannah-inspired set inside. As the round curtain of thousands of individual ropes lifted, we were treated to a 360 degree view of Myer's new season edit. Fluid silk silhouettes, pretty pastel palettes, punchy graphic prints (often doubled-up for added visual impact) and ladylike shapes were the top-line trends, and star-of-the-show Jennifer Hawkins wore her five exits (Toni Maticevski, Ellery, Manning Cartell, Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins and Aurelio Costarella) with the practised confidence of a runway veteran. It was loud, it was big, it was fast, it was fun! Shirtless Kris Smith was really just the icing on the top of this African-themed fashion feast. Click through to see the very best looks from Myer's new season extravaganza.

Additonal images courtesy of Lucas Dawson.

Serving up not one, not two, not even three lip looks, but FIVE at Jayson Brunsdon, makeup director Nicole Thompson (MAC) said the look was "The Lady is a Tramp, it's sexy, it's boudoir." All models' skin was shiny and glossy, MAC's Photo Lipstick was used to create a "halo" around the eye and brows were given a '50s shape, but that's where the similarities stopped and the different lipstick shades started. Hair was styled to look as though she'd "been out dancing all night and got hot and sweaty," Joh Bailey (TRESemme) told us. He used TRESemme Smooth & Silky Anti-Frizz Secret Créme and Fresh Start Dry Shampoo before tonging the hair and pinning the curls up to set. "Then we're going to pull them down and let them fall out and pull our hands back through the hairline to get that sweaty movement." There were also five different nail looks.

Whilst the celebrity guest list brought some serious glamour to last night's Myer A/W 2012 collection launch, let's try not to get too distracted from the main event... the clothes! The department store previewed the new season ranges from its stable of designer labels, and there was a distinct undercurrent of ladylike glamour given off by the likes of Ellery, Toni Maticevski and Yeojin Bae offering tailored silhouettes with a very femme feel. Graphic, punchy prints were popular, with Magdalena Velevska (paisley), Karen Walker (smudgy florals and bug motifs), Simon (op-art accessories) and Cue (plaid) tempering the grown-up aesthetic with a bit of patterned fun, whilst sass & bide, Jayson Brunsdon and Aurelio Costarella offered an elegant opulence via visions of cream which were embellished with gold accents. These are the clothes to covet, so start your new season wish list by previewing Myer's fashion-packed show! Images courtesy of Lucas Dawson and Myer.

Forget Paris Fashion Week! Last night Melbourne's Mural Hall played host to Myer's Autumn/Winter '12 parade, attracting a slew of local celebs and key fashion identities in the process. Of course ambassadors Jennifer Hawkins, Jessica Hart and Kris Smith were on runway duty, but there were some killer looks being sported by the well-dressed front row, too. Lindy Klim oozed modern elegance in a fuchsia sheath, Rebecca Twigley pulled off a dramatic pair of (Ellery, surely?) flairs whilst Grazia editor Kelly Hush shone in one of our favourite looks from Gucci's S/S '12 collection. The designer pack showed their support, with the sass & bide girls Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke, Fleur Wood, Jason Brunsdon and Wayne Cooper dressing up for the occasion. Did you misplace your VIP invite? Don't sweat it! Simply step inside to snoop all the f'rowside style. Images courtesy of Lucas Dawson and Myer.