The idea was that Edward Coutts Davidson wanted to recreate his Wonderland fashion spread from the April issue of Harper’s. To say yes would be a huge undertaking, but after working with Edward and the team at the end of last year we decided to break with tradition and take a bit of a gamble.
Twenty-six of our gorgeous dancers along with Dana Stephensen and Amy Harris (who were not performing but were our silverly-clad representatives at the media call) traipsed up St Kilda Road to the grounds of Government House. While those performing rehearsed in the ballroom, carefully plotting how best to avoid a grand battement in Premier John Brumby’s lap, Dana and Amy donned their Roger Kirk-designed costumes from The Silver Rose, and oh how we laughed when the photographers begged to know “Ladies! Who are you dressed by today?”
The girls made a pact to remain en pointe for the entire shoot in front of a swarm of fashion photographers when they caught a glimpse of the ridiculous height of the models resplendent in heels that could kill.
At the media call the ballet theme worked beautifully with the Wonderland theme as a Collette Dinnigan blue tulle tutu with a crystal studded bodice was modelled by a lass sprouting pink fairy floss hair and rabbit ears. She was coupled with a glamorous Cinderella-inspired Willow gown, worn for the very first time by Principal Artist Danielle Rowe in the Harpers spread featuring The Australian Ballet.
As the black fancy cars began to roll into the grounds and the legs and the heels and the hair and the shimmery shiny people made their way up the stairs to the gardens of Government House to guzzle champagne, boiled lollies and gingerbread ladies clad in tutus, my nervousness was compounded by a last-minute request by David McAllister to be his plus one. Thank goodness for Brooke Lockett’s heels, her brilliant two minute make-up application and Rohan Furnell’s cologne and pep talk, I somehow managed not to shame our Artistic Director in the front row as we were wedged between Megan Gale and the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
There was no need to fear: it was a goosebump moment that everyone who took part in should be incredibly proud of. The Australian Ballet showcased Melbourne beautifully on the international stage as Dinnigan and Willow were joined on the runway by stunning designs from Michelle Jank, Sass & Bide, Dion Lee, Tina Kalivas, Akira and Romance Was Born … and Premier Brumby walked away without a hint of bruising.
Fantastic pictures. I’m thrilled to be seeing more and more of Amy Harris, she is such a beautiful and talent person, and has a very bright future in front of her!