Napoleon Perdis himself directed the makeup, and I was told that the show before, Bec & Bridge had run late, putting considerable time pressure on the Perry hair and makeup teams. To make matters worse, their workspace was jam-packed. Journalist Patty Huntington later tweeted after a last-minute spat between Chic (Model Management) and Perry over girls earmarked for Kirrily Johnston's show, Perry vetoed all Chic girls. Recipe for a bottleneck!
Nonetheless, sensational eyes were created on one side of the beauty prep tent while the Alterna team constructed paintbrush effect ponytails on the other. Two ponytails – a top and bottom – were caught together and a weft (fine hairpiece) added for additional thickness. The pony was positioned in line with the eyes to get a face lift effect (must try this at home!)
Back to the gowns – colour and sparkle were the order of the show.
Lots of bright red, a little turquoise, some light canary yellow. A colourful floral on a black satin ground for relief. All of them mixed at times, and successfully at that. Yes, there were neutrals, but why would you go there when such glorious colour is so splendidly abundant.
Something to like about the Alex Perry woman – she has a great figure but she feels no need to let the world see her girly bits. Necks are revered in Perry gowns, shoulders revealed – the effect eminently sexier that any low cut neckline or short skirt.
– Julie Roulston
View more runway images from the Alex Perry show at RAFW 2011