It’s a celebration of local television, so it’s fitting that little-known Australian designers are the real winners at the Logies. International labels have attempted to infiltrate the event, but the high-impact red carpet moments belonged to bridal specialists and dressmakers that you won’t find near a Chanel or Louis Vuitton boutique, or in your nearest Westfield shopping centre.
Names such as Steven Khalil, Nicky Velani and Oglia-Loro are most familiar to brides preparing for their princess moments but at the Logies their intricate creations held the spotlight.
Ada Nicodemou in Velani; Jessica Mauboy in Mariam Seddiq, Simone Holtznagel in Marian Seddiq at the Logies.Credit:Getty
Velani took the traditional, block colour approach for Home and Away’s Ada Nicodemou who wore a strapless green gown with ruffled bodice, split in the skirt and train. For Total Control actor Deborah Mailman she created a white balloon-sleeved blouse worn with a black sequinned velvet skirt.
“I saw some people wearing international labels which is disappointing,” Velani says. “We make great clothes here and we should support Australian labels.”
In 2019 Velani created 11 looks for the Logies but this time only had resources to dress seven stars, including presenters Lisa Wilkinson and Sarah Harris.
“Like all industries we are experiencing staff shortages,” Velani says. “There are only three of us sewing at the moment and I still have to send out wedding dresses. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Fellow bridal designer Steven Khalil was represented by Love Me nominee Bojana Novakovic in a sheer black, embellished dress with a plunging neckline, beaded in Bicone gold crystals, as well as SAS Australia’s Anna Heinrich. The strapless pink confection featured a sweet bow at the deep neckline and full skirt.
TV Week Logies ambassador Sophie Monk took the statuette approach in a strapless gold Khalil gown.
“It’s great to see the glam back after the last two years,” Khalil says.
Stylist Lana Wilkinson, who dressed model Simone Holtznagel in a pale pink dress from Mariam Seddiq, hopes that Australian labels will continue to dominate the enduring event.
“A lot of local labels count on the Logies for sales in the second half of the year,” Wilkinson says. “A strong showing can set them up for August. More importantly, after lockdown, this is an opportunity to unleash all of that bottled up creativity.”
Christian Wilkins attends the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards wearing a dress from Australian label Nicol & Ford with pearls from Isabellas Jewellery, Noosa.Credit:Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Singer Jessica Mauboy from The Voice also wore Mariam Seddiq, selecting a column dress with an unusual, rumpled detail on the bodice from the designer’s runway show at Australian Fashion Week in May.
Other local brands benefiting from the homegrown approach were Daniel Learmont Couture, dressing Love Me actor Heather Mitchell in a peridot green, one-shouldered toga-style gown with a compulsory slit in the skirt and gold clutch.
Influencer Christian Wilkins also looked to the Australian Fashion Week runway, wearing a sheer white dress from Nicol & Ford that dipped dangerously at the back, while actor and writer Michelle Davidson from The Newsreader wore a magenta gown from Mary Ioannidis Couture. Yes, there was a slit in the skirt.
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
Most Viewed in Lifestyle
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article
