Arriving at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week is a daunting task, no matter how many times you've done it before. Teething issues on the first day often get the best of even the most seasoned media, with internet dramas, forgotten card readers and laptops that seem to run out of battery at least six times faster than they do at home. For Jamie and I, the drama began when we arrived at our first show and frantically tried to find the backstage area to meet Carly Hunter for a chat. After being directed in a million different directions by a host of different characters, after racing up stairs, racing back down, limping with blisters on our feet and becoming severely disillusioned, we resigned ourselves to front of house, resolving to 'try again tomorrow'. So while my interview with the talented Carly is somewhat delayed, I hope you can enjoy my review of the show in the meantime...

Carly Hunter- friend, personal favourite and one of Australia’s most exciting young design talents- did exactly as expected at RAFW and blew everyone’s minds. Showing for the first time as part of a women’s ready to wear group show, Carly wowed the crowd with her hauntingly romantic, decidedly directional Spring/Summer range. Taking the runway with deliberation and purpose, Carly used experimentation to her advantage- teetering on the edge of avant garde while keeping her contradictions (floaty fabrics and muted tones cut and pieces together in what would otherwise be architectural shapes) accessible and feminine in the way that is fast becoming the young designer’s signature style.

Sex riddled angst characterised the show, with barely dressed models in translucent garments sauntering down the runway. My favourite pieces included soft silken shorts in nude and a layered dress in the same diaphanous material that moved around the model like a restless spectre as she walked. Sheer fabric covered in opaque spots in black and white characterised the collection, with leggings in the same style sure to become a cult trend. My only critiscism- that Carly took a rushed bow at the end instead of lingering to bask in some very well deserved applause.