Lights, camera, fashion!

The Ruth Tarvydas show started before it began. It was lights, camera, fashion outside Tarvydas’ Australian Fashion Week presentation in Sydney, as camera flashes announced the arrival of front-row celebrities.

When the photographers’ yells subsided, the rest of Tarvydas’ guests stepped into the venue to find the spectacle had already started. But instead of models strutting the runway, Kim Kardashian was causing a stir.

Best known as one-time best friend of Paris Hilton, the glamorous US brunette and her sister Khloe posed for over-attentive photographers at the edge of the catwalk as other famous faces looked on. Lara Bingle sat next to MTV VJ Ruby Rose, and singer Jade McRae was near Cosmo’s 2008 Bachelor of the Year Jason Dundas. Towards the front of the stage, Tiffani Wood was being interviewed, as the Kardashian frenzy continued.   

The show was running late, but Kim and Khloe’s saving grace was that they were wearing Ruth Tarvydas. Kim in a sexy black sequin dress, and Chloe in a beaded lapis lazuli creation presented a taste of what was to come. And it looked enticing.

Everyone took their seats when somewhere above the stage the speakers announced “beware, strong strobe lighting will be used in this presentation.” So it started, to the pulsing beat of the strobe light and the saccharine sounds of Sugar Sugar. ”Sugar, ah honey honey, you are my candy girl, and you've got me wanting you.”

Ruth Tarvydas got the audience wanting the edgy black dresses that introduced her new range. Paired with black slashed stockings, and a lopsided glittering crown headpiece, each ensemble was a version of rebellious cool. A loop of chiffon ruffles diagonally wrapped one short glittery dress, whilst another featured off-the-shoulder satin straps with 20s-style fringing.

Rebellious cool was replaced by elegant cool as Tarvydas released her colour collection onto the catwalk. Mostly in pastels and light grey, these creations were sweet as honey. There was a strapless cornflower blue gown with a dainty tie around the waist, and a pretty 50s swing dress whose chalky grey bodice magically transformed into lavender at the tulle hem.

Glimmering embellishments adorned many dresses – diamantes embedded in delicate fabrics and coloured stones set around plunging necklines. Jewels trickled down bare backs – their sparkle catching the eager look in the audience’s eyes.

The Tarvydas show was like a walk down a red carpet - sparkle, ruffles and elegance with a touch of cool. It was a show fit for its audience, where both the stars and the clothes belong in the limelight.