On an otherwise bare runway, oversized golden flowers with neon stems set the initial tone for alice McCALL Resort 20: Cosmia, on day three of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. A huge audience milled around in anticipation, chatting excitedly in their seats or snapping a picture in front of one of the ornate flowers. Gallery One was filled with its biggest audience yet - nearly 700 media reps, models, influencers, local celebrities and more - all of whom were eagerly waiting to see how designer Alice McCall would celebrate the fifteenth year of her eponymous, internationally renowned label.

Led by Creative Director Alice McCall's vision and supported by stylist Caterina Scardino, Cosmia simultaneously stuck to the alice McCALL signature ultra-feminine aesthetic while incorporating timely trends and fresh designs.

As is trademark for the homegrown designer, minidresses and super-short playsuits featured heavily, but were also accompanied by full-length dresses and sheer flowing trousers. The collection included a wide range of styles and textiles; from shiny metallics, to leafy, 60s inspired prints, to beaded and feathered and ruffled sheers. 

Highlights included sheer polka-dotted garments featuring ruffled tiers in chic neon pastel hues; and beaded mesh garments that glimmered and rippled under the lights. A certain pale-gold, brocade-embroidered ensemble with a peplum cutout tunic and skin-tight, knee-length pants were the sole letdown, seemingly out of place amongst the delicate beauty of the rest of the runway. Details like rhinestone heart belts, on-trend pastel neon stiletto pumps, and nods to the 60s in hairstyling that suited the nostalgia hinted at throughout the collection elevated the collection as a whole.

Cosmia was a beautiful celebration of fifteen years in the industry for alice McCALL. It showcased a designer who has found her niche and knows how to work innovatively within it, while maintaining an awareness of current trends which are incorporated thoughtfully without sacrificing brand integrity. Cosmia is pretty, it’s fun, and it’ll be available to shop this September.