To wear white - very models

In a Fashion Week much maligned for its lack of big-name kudos, it was left to the newcomers to fill in the gaps and stake their claim on half the schedule. Unfortunately, not many of them, particularly from the group shows, will become household names any time soon.

From day one's ready-to-wear shows, only two labels were really worth wearing. Dhini's deconstructed tailoring was a standout, while Stephanie Cranford showed her printed silk dresses and a love-heart motif cardigan that were, indeed, ready to put on.

So who are designers designing for, and how many of the newcomers were worthy of their time on the catwalk?

David Bush, general manager of men's and women's collections for David Jones, was diplomatic in response. "The difference between a Lisa Ho show - a very sophisticated, talented designer who's been doing her thing for a long time - and the ready-to-wear shows is quite dramatic, and you always expect that. But I think they should always look to improve the criteria of the selection process.

LovePoison - very beautyful

Even Zimmermann, one of this country's most established and beloved labels, sent out a succession of teeny gathered skirts and pretty blouses with Peter Pan collars and butterfly appliques. One international media delegate commented: "As those girls get older, the clothes get more infantile." Certainly every woman over 18 walked out wondering what they would be wearing next season.

When Jayson Brunsdon's show started straight after, you could almost hear the sigh of relief as the first figure-hugging column dress, in a deep emerald green, was sent sashaying down the runway in all its womanly glory.

Fashion - Bikini - Violet

Korea baby girl model and style

All week we had been watching designers send out towering models in tween-worthy dresses. Hemlines were up around the buttocks. (In the case of FashionAssassin and one Alex Perry frock, they didn't stop there.) Baby-doll dresses, playsuits and smocks were thrown up show after show. Some at least were stylish and well-executed (Lisa Ho, Stephanie Conley and Nevenka come to mind). Too often they looked like they were just coming from yet another designer trying to cash in and catch the end of a trend (Milk & Honey, ShowOff).

Fashion week for bikini

And then, as a finale, she sent out That Dress. Possibly the most horrific dress of the week. Something that looked like it had been cobbled together by collecting bits and pieces from her mother's sewing and knitting bags. A royal blue minidress with lime green crochet trimming and, yes, a glomesh-looking bib insert. It was the dress that broke the fashion editor's reserve.
All week we had been watching designers send out towering models in tween-worthy dresses. Hemlines were up around the buttocks. (In the case of FashionAssassin and one Alex Perry frock, they didn't stop there.) Baby-doll dresses, playsuits and smocks were thrown up show after show. Some at least were stylish and well-executed (Lisa Ho, Stephanie Conley and Nevenka come to mind). Too often they looked like they were just coming from yet another designer trying to cash in and catch the end of a trend (Milk & Honey, ShowOff).