Swimsuit models defy gloom

The wet weather forced models to abandon South Bank's Streets Beach for the cover of a marquee on the Cultural Forecourt.

The change of location did not seem to bother VIP guests, including Quade Cooper and Stephanie Rice who arrived just in time to see the new season collections from leading swimwear designers take to the runway.

While they weren't exactly racing attire, Rice seemed to relish the show, snuggling up to her Wallabies boyfriend for front-row smooches as designs from Foxton Danger and Jets by Jessica Allen were paraded for a small but supportive crowd.

Key trends across the collections included bold, loud colour, intricate detailing and embellishments, punchy splashes of graphic prints, and heavy metallic jewellery.

Flowing kaftans from Australia’s ‘kaftan queen’ Camilla Franks opened the group show, setting the stage for what was to come with flowing silks in kaleidoscopic colours.

But a challenger to her crown was found in Indian newcomer Roopa Pemmaraju, who debuted at the festival with a stunning collection of heavily trimmed robes, maxis and kaftans in complex prints and exotic colours.

Lean Madden’s White Sands collection, shown earlier this year at the inaugural Gold Coast Swim Fashion Week, featured elements that echoed Pemmaraju’s more muted hues, contrasting flowing floral dresses with swimwear in powdery pinks, whites and chalky black.

Models wore lashings of golden face powder to accentuate bone structures and create a defined, sun-kissed look, with smacks of coral on the lips the only hint of strong cosmetic colour.

Hair director Geoffrey Herberg seemed inspired by the Italian Riviera, delivering by way of curling, pinning and tousling slick coiffures until they resembled locks windswept by a scooter ride around Portofino harbour.

Leah Madden from White Sands closed the show with a wave.

This reporter is on Twitter: @katherinefeeney

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