Sun shines on David Jones

The temperature may have dipped below 10 degrees outside but a golden hue still descended on Sydney's Royal Hall of Industries earlier this month.

Selected as the venue for David Jones' national spring/summer 2007 collections launch, the Moore Park site was transformed into a mini slice of the French Riviera in salute to the department store's "Summer d'Azur" theme.
A mock French-style café, hedges, a project of a French mansion and a trickling fountain helped cement the scene as the self-proclaimed "home of Australian fashion" showed off the new season offerings from its highly acclaimed fashion stable.

Zimmermann was accorded opening honours with 172 different looks being paraded around the U-shaped catwalk before Kit Willow rounded off the event with DJs brand ambassador donning her startling electric blue maxi dress.
Other collections showcased during the night included Alex Perry, Trelise Cooper, Sabatini, Tigerlily, Sass 'n' Bide, Kirrily Johnston, Alannah Hill, Calibre, Akira Isogawa, Collette Dinnigan, accessories brand Mimco and new recruits Anna Thomas and Ginger & Smart.

The launch will be replicated a further 55 times in coming weeks with similar events taking place in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

David Jones group GM for apparel, cosmetics, footwear and accessories Colette Garnsey said summer was "Australia's season".

"It has been interesting to see trans-seasonal pieces popping up more and more frequently in the international collections and more recently at Australian Fashion Week. This, along with the rise in cruise collections globally means an even strong focus on warm weather dressing across the board."

Garnsey sited the dress (short tunic or smock shapes), the high waisted skirt, silver leggings, singlets and skirts and pedal pushers as her "must-have" pieces with citrus the colour of the season.

By Tracey McEldowney