As I drove home from the city last night – listening to Nova 100 of course – I quickly turned up the radio when I herd the Casanovas say they were at the launch of the Supre Flagstaff store in the Bourke Street Mall. Why all the fuss? Well I was there only 10 minutes beforehand! Yes, it was another fashion event the lovely Bronny and I were privileged to attend.

Surprisingly, Melbourne on a winter’s night was clear and crisp and a sense of warmth lingered in the air which indeed was going to prelude to a hot evening.
With Channel Nine’s  Nikki Osborne MCing, the night began once the ribbon was cut and the Deputy Lord Mayor officially opened the new store.

One the night, shoes were supplied by Zoo, makeup by Napoleon and hair looked effortlessly thanks to Academia. A red carpet awaited the guest on arrival and teenage girls in bright pink (almost too bright) satin dresses that bulbously flowed above the knee greeted the guests. Albeit the girls were polite and pleasant, they all seemed fatigued and lamented the fact they had to serve the hungry crowd appetizers.  Glasses were constantly half full thanks to the bar staff and sponsors – San Pelligrino was a stand out.

The store has changed from a sardine style layout into a spacious, almost Top Shop like – borrowing elements from the UK store with spot lights and dark lighting.
The show began once everyone had had a few drinks and tasted the hors d’eouvres. A runway and chairs – reminiscent of an actual fashion parade (minus the ubiquitous designers and A list stars) set the stage for the Supre catalogue.
Now the Supre catalogue of clothes isn’t something you’d wear if you were post 25 but do give you ideas you can adapt to any wardrobe no matter what age – like heels with a shorter dress to accentuate long legs. Also, if you’re the working gal and in town on your lunch break, Supre has a cute section devoted just for you with shirts, skits, and pants to make you look trendy and fabulous in the office.

The three male Mishanda Dancers excited the crowd with a pulsating new school hip hop dance routine and then it was show time.
The models (once it was realized they too were dancers, all their in-experience as cat walk models was forgiven) strutted the season’s look. Silver shoes, tops and dresses came out first allowing a sparkling introduction for the rest of the show.  It was all about the high waist! Shorts, jeans, skirts, overalls, you name it! But be careful if you don’t have long, lean legs and a reasonably flat tummy as the high waist is a definite no-no (in particular, the high waist short shorts).

The late 80s and early 90s were relived with crazy and funky T’s displaying all sorts of  slogans like “I love my Boyfriend’ and “Dirty Dirty House Music”.  Despite them being a Frankie Goes to Hollywood inspiration, they do look cute with leggings and flats.  Denim vests which I thought were doomed have made a comeback and it does actually look cute. Dresses reminiscent of the US Prom looked adorable on the girls – strapless and short – perfect for a summer party. Colours were silver again and this time electric blue made an appearance. If you can remember being in the 1980s and think the dresses look familiar, it’s because the only difference with the dresses in 2007 is the hemline – at least 6 inches shorter! Many of the other dresses were bulbous with A-line cuts which are ace for disguising those bits!

Once the parade was near completion, out came Supre’s ambassador – Australian Idol finalist Roxanne to sing her hit song “Sexy”. The soulful diva can belt out a tune and was humbled and in awe of the experience. Her album was just released and hopefully with the exposure from Supre, album sales will flourish.

As the show closed, - ‘Pictures’ by Sneaky Sound System - a most appropriate song allowed the crowd to continue drinking, mingling and shop  for the latest in Supre. And then it was off to Eve nightclub for the inevitable after party; however, I headed home to gorge in my goodies bag – undoubtedly, the best part of any show.

I wouldn’t write Supre off just yet – go inside and have a look around. You may be pleasantly surprised.

WHERE: Bourke Street, Mall (next to David Jones)
WHEN: August 16, 6pm
INFO: www.supre.com.au