The hottest accessory for spring/summer is going to be napkins and Napisan, because for the warmer months you are going to be dressed in white, from head to toe, according to David Jones.
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"A little bit of Preen is all you need. The white look is so hot, it's so crisp and fresh," model Jesinta Campbell said, making no apologies for the whitewashed palette the retailer showed at its biannual showcase of seasonal trends in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Those who are prone to spilling or marking their clothes, don't stress; like milky tea and Tim Tams, black and white will go hand in hand for the upcoming season.
For men, sequinned jackets by Jack London, Calibre's nautical striped T-shirts and ankle-grazing chinos will be teamed with rubber Converse or silver brogues. Sorry flip-flop fans.
Dion Lee, Christopher Esber, Bec & Bridge and Rebecca Valance will bring the light and shade, literally, with monochrome jackets, suits, lace blouses and skirts boasting hemlines that are longer than Australian women tend to favour when the mercury spikes.
While legs will either be encased in culottes, lace shorts, playsuits or midi skirts, the sternum will be in the spotlight this summer thanks to the '70s vibe, which has hung around our local fashion scene like the heady bouquet of Yves Saint Laurent's Opium.
As in autumn/winter, the styles of Stevie Nicks and Helen Reddy will roll on with plunging necklines, peak-a-boo cutouts and cleavage-grazing collars by KIT X – the new ethical and sustainable label by ex-Willow head Kit Willow Podgornik – Zimmermann, Ellery and Ginger & Smart.
Mother-and-daughter designers Carla Zampatti and Bianca Spender demonstrated why they have the black tie dress code all sewn up. While Zampatti loves a flash of Schiaparelli pink and statement pieces like opera coats, Spender was a little more relaxed with palazzo pants in jewel tones and jacquard jackets.
Gone are the body-conscious dresses of the past, summer at David Jones will allow you to actually enjoy the food hall thanks to the relaxed silhouettes and man-style tailoring of Camilla & Marc and Josh Goot. Backpacker chic will be championed by Lee Matthews' fisherman pants and cotton twill jackets, and kimono shirts by Bassike.
The "free and easy" looks were a favourite of Daniel Johns, who headlined the event performing his new single We Are Golden dressed in an all-white Bassike ensemble as if prophesying forthcoming trends, and of the models like Victoria's Secret star Bridget Malcolm and Jean-Paul Gaultier's new muse Alexandra Agoston.
"I love the slouchy looks and masculine feel of Ellery and Dion Lee, I'm all about comfort," Agoston said.
The statuesque model – a David Jones veteran – was excited about her return to the local runway after months of dominating the international shows in Europe.
"I started on a David Jones runway when I was 16 and couldn't walk in heels, so the stylist then gave me a pair and sent me home to practise, so I did, even wearing them with my pyjamas," she said.
