Client Liaison brings the 80s back with a bang

Client Liaison brought the 80s back last night. Their super-fun collection of “high leisure wear for hanging out and going to the disco in” As we rode the escalators up the Overseas Passenger Terminal building on Circular Quay we knew we were in for something really different to the standard glamour and slightly too-cool-for-school vibe that fashion week shows can sometimes have.

“We have photos full of colour from the land of terracotta” said a voiceover as models walked on this very terracotta; a red sand catwalk complete with inflatable boats, tussock grasses, and gum tree nuts that brought the outback to the city. I hope the red sand was re-used from Fashion Week’s opening show by Camilla and Marc.

It was so exciting to see a first collection. It was very clever of them to fuse fashion, music, and performing art together for their show. The brand has immediate cred; without knowing anything about it prior to the show, the brand speaks to me and has a strong personality of its own. With its street cred, we felt it was like our Stolen Girlfriends Club brand in New Zealand, but Client Liaison spoke to the light side, rather than the dark side. There was an overwhelming sense of lightness of touch, of inclusivity, and of fun.

As for the clothes, I loved the striped trench. We also loved the knits; sweaters with iconic Australian animals, that recalled Australian artist Ken Done’s prints of the 80s.

As a DJ duo, Client Liaison were clearly always going to be strong in their catwalk music. Classics such as Take The Pressure Down had everybody tapping their feet as models walked by in Speedos with open shirts, colourful jumpsuits, and men’s suits in Australian animal prints. The designers performed on the runway at the finale, joined by two musicians also in terracotta and white Eighties power-shoulder outfits. They reminded me of the 80s villain in Despicable Me 3.

Client Liaison used the venue’s elevators to excellent effect, with dry ice shrouding the models as they made an entrance from the lift doors to the runway.

In all, the most fun show of fashion week. Was it gimmicky? Sure yes but within that there were saleable and wearable pieces for their youthful fans who love a good sense of irony.