We get excited for shows of some designers at the mere mention of their name. Johanna Johnson is the perfect example of this. Her designs evoke excitement, intrigue, admiration and, of course, high expectations. With fans of the designer including Christina Hendricks, Maya Rudolph and Felicity Jones, reason stands to think that Johnson must be doing something (many things!) right with her designs.
This year, Johnson was honoured at MBFWA by being selected for the Mercedes-Benz Presents Show (MBPS). Each season, Mercedes-Benz chooses a designer who showcases extreme talent and dedication to their creations, through a combination of the use of quality materials, unique and innovative design, and style. The designer they think most personifies these traits is then chosen for the special showcase. This is the first year the MBPS has featured in Australian Fashion week, and we can’t think of a more suited label than Johnson to be chosen for the showcase.
With that in mind, it is fair to say that we entered the show expecting great things. We were certainly not disappointed. From the moment the protective cover was pulled from the runway to reveal a stunning sparkling gold feature, we knew this was going to be a special show. In a nod to 1920s Great Gatsby glam, many of the stunning designs featured gold, black, silver, feathers and lots of embellishments. There were floor length beaded gowns, golden feather skirts, glimmering gowns complete with intricate trains, and cutesy tea dresses. The glam-factor was amped up even more through channeling Egyptian glamour with the use of eye-catching headgear, which we were lusting after just as much as the garments.
Each look was, if possible, more red-carpetesque than the last, with the looks complemented perfectly by natural make-up, pale pink lips (Maybelline’s Make Me Pink), and long, luscious locks slicked back with with just the right amount of subtle curling, a la Gatsby girls. The highlight of the beauty look was definitely the models’ gold brows and cheekbones, which seemed to make their whole faces ooze glamour.
The piece de resistance of the collection? Without question, the stunningly whimsical and intricately beaded silver gown, modelled by none other than Australian fashion darling Samantha Harris. The look was completed with a stunning beaded headpiece and long, trailing veil.
Bravo, Johanna Johnson.
Photo Gallery: Johanna Johnson Spring/Summer 2012-13
Photos by Mark Thompson
