The rain has done nothing to dampen spirits at the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Kicking off the festivities on Sunday, all was bold and romantic in the world of style doyenne Carla Zampatti.
Waistlines were high, necklines were daringly low and skirt slits reached almost to the hip for this Zampatti spring summer 2014-15 collection.
"I try and make beautiful garments that are flattering to women," Italian-born Zampatti, 71, said prior to the Sunday show in Sydney.
"There are romantic pieces, gowns with wonderful textured fabrics," she said.
"And then we have much more lean, linear, white and black plains where the line is very bold and featured."
The first of the 40 looks to hit the runway for her show, titled Darker, was a black crepe jumpsuit with flared legs and shoulder pads.
Inspired primarily by fabrics - silk crepe, lace, georgette, satin and organza - the designer said one of the dominant pieces in the collection was an all blue gown with an organza-layered skirt and a lace bodice embellished with orchids.
"When I see a really beautiful fabric it sets my mind working," she said.
"I think what I could do with it, how far I could take it."
Black and white featured strongly in the collection, paired with metallic gold and leather accessories.
The final four pieces were floor length georgette gowns, one in lime, cobalt blue, porcelain and then red, featuring matching marabou feather jackets.
Asked to pick her favourite piece for the upcoming season, Zampatti said she honestly couldn't.
"They are all like my children.
"And each day I like one and then the next day another more.
"With each piece I've had a relationship."
Zampatti, recently worn by Kate Middleton, Miranda Kerr and actress Elizabeth Debicki, has enamored Australian fashionistas since she began designing 49 years ago.
"Quality and reliability - they are probably the key reasons they keep coming back," she said.
"Women today buy pieces they feel good in."
"They can wear it and forget about, they don't have to fuss because it's really strong."
On the runway, Zampatti stayed true to her tailored design aesthetic, but expanded her repertoire with several revealing pieces.
"There is one piece, which is very bare, the sides are bare and the front and back is covered," she said.
"It would suit someone with a wonderful body and the confidence to wear it."
Zampatti, one of Australia's most influential designers, opened her first boutique in Sydney in 1972 - there are now about 30 Zampatti boutique and concepts stores in Australia.
She received the Australian Fashion Industry's highest award - the Australian Fashion Laureate - in 2008, which recognised her outstanding achievements.
The look: Bold black jumpsuits, prima ballerina textural evening gowns, white wedding dresses, "boyfriend" shirt with 70s bell-bottom pants.
Colours: Black, white, cobalt blue, lime and red.
Accessories: Metallic gold belts, leather cuffs, leather chokers, black strappy heels.
