Department Store Catwalk AW12

Getting an invite to The Department Store shows has become something I rather look forward to. It’s not so much seeing the clothes – although of course I always enjoy that – but the evening itself I eagerly anticipate…

Department Store Fashion Show AW12
Friday 16th March 2012

In fact, I’ve probably already seen the clothes, whether at fashion week the previous year, as in the case of Ruby and Liam, and Stolen Girlfriends (stocked at Black Box in The Department Store) or on the Internet. No, it’s the energy and hype of the event and it’s always a goody.

Now, you do need a crowd to get a certain energy going at any party. I like the genuine frisson they achieve. No-one wants to be knocking about in an empty barn feeling like Nigel No Mates. But there gets to a point where it’s a leetle-bit-cheek-by-jowl, and this wasn’t the organisers’ fault but I hear a few gatecrashers got in to the detriment of invited guests, some of whom were turned away, and many of whom didn’t get goody bags. I would humbly suggest they have a stricter door policy – the bouncers DID dutifully ask for our names when we arrived early – and give out goody bags at the start, hassle though that can be while balancing drinks.

It’s the only fashion show I know of like it in the country; who else is in the position to throw a full-on catwalk show with a gazillion models and free drinks all night? No-one. They do it beautifully. And it seems to be good marketing; armed with your discount vouchers you go back within a month and spend up, with $30 off at its retailers and 2-for-1 cards at Stephen Marr and Lucy & the Powder Room. It makes clients feel like a VIP to be invited. And it sells clothes; I could hear women all around me discussing what they wanted to go and buy.

Below: The crowd gathers before the show. It was packed to the rafters.

Karen Walker was first up with her latest Autumn Winter collection, including this blue kneelength dress modeled by Samantha Shorter, accessorised with a daffodil yellow clutch (Clutch $260)