Melanie Greensmith is like the popular girl at uni. You know, the one who hangs out with the cool crowd and always manages to get distinctions despite the fact she seems to appear in the social pages more often than in lecture theatres. And when she has her 21st birthday party, you know that you – along with most of your course – will do almost anything to get an invite because it will be the hottest party in town.

And it was the hottest party in town. The celebration to honour Greensmith’s 21-year-old label Wheels & Dollbaby was manicured hands-down the best after party Perth has seen in some time. But before we discuss the A-list attendees, swanky surroundings and advantages of having a media pass, we must make mention of the hottest ticket in town – the Wheels & Dollbaby showcase.

It was the biggest event on last year’s Perth Fashion Festival calendar and this year was no different. Rumour has it the 2006 event was oversold by around 200 tickets and attendees to the 2007 instalment were certainly packed in. Organisers obviously learnt a lesson from last year though: the alcohol didn’t run out this time.

The show began in true rock ‘n’ roll style, with Mark McEntee, The Divinyls guitarist and Greensmith’s husband, and model Tiah Eckhardt delivering a seductive version of 'Je T’Aime'. Eckhardt surprised the expectant crowd with her singing ability, and wore a sparkling, crystal-beaded, little black velvet dress with a price tag in the vicinity of $2,000.

Then the rest of Greensmith’s sexed-up models sauntered out – cooing, pursing, pouting, posing and generally playing up to the animated audience, who whistled, cheered and applauded in return. Making a stunning and welcome return to the runway was former Vogue cover girl Danielle Ferguson, looking every bit the quintessential Wheels & Dollbaby girl.

Silhouettes remain signature W&D: super tight and accentuating curves to the max, with hemlines ranging from tiny mini, to knee-length with a serious side split. Bows were added to bodices, or as hair adornments for a feminine touch, while high-waisted skirts featured pointed, flip-down lapels that gave a tuxedo touch. They were often paired with the sheerest silk blouses – sans bra.

Speaking of bras, W&D’s lingerie made an immediate impact the moment Eckhardt stepped back on stage. Wearing a pale pink bra and panties set, both items were accessorised with fluffy twin pom-poms dangling on ribbon strings. Another slightly impractical ensemble featured the ultimate girly corset and a cute pair of ruffled briefs, drawing gasps and howls from the now-tipsy audience.

A procession of evening glamour closed the show to the strains of 'These Boots Were Made for Walking'. There were tight velvet dresses, rose-embroidered satin frocks, a shiny silver trench coat and frothy tulle skirts. Then Greensmith made her customary catwalk bow with hubby by her side and all attentions turned to the after party…

Held at the new Minq bar at Burswood Resort, VIPs were escorted to the venue straight from the show where, upon arrival, they received the coveted gift bag and were ushered up to the multi-roomed layout. Wait staff greeted them with pink-ribboned piccolos of Moët & Chandon, which sadly ran out by 10pm, then glasses of the bubbly, which ran dry about an hour and a half later. (Luckily there were plenty of other alcoholic alternatives to keep the revellers quenched.)

So who was there? It was a mix of true VIPs (those of the A-list variety, which included Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe, fashion photographer Justin Smith, Eagles legend Peter Sumich and, of course, Miss Eckhardt), bought VIPs (limited show + party tickets were available for $200 a pop), models, sponsors and media. Most stayed and played until the wee hours, enjoying the buzz from both the champagne and Greensmith’s ability to put on a bloody good show.

Question of the night: it’s a toss up between “How can we get into the after party?” and “What’s in the gift bag?” (For the record, there was a W&D printed singlet, a MAC Ruby Woo lippy, Megan Gale Invisible Zinc and a Mercedes-Benz key ring.)

Guest Editor, Lisa Chau from Zanthus, says: “The after party was awesome! Definitely one of the best I’ve been to in a while and a great mix of people. Minq is a cool bar and more like something you’d find in Melbourne rather than Perth.

“The show was also really good, and the audience had a great vibe – they seemed to really get into it. I never realised Tiah (Eckhardt) could sing! I heard a rumour she was going to burlesque dance.

“The only negative thing I could say about the night was that the designs became a bit repetitive towards the end because some of the pieces appeared more than once, but the models made them interesting anyway.”

Photos from the Catwalk

Photos from the VIP Party