So about last night, when a fashion festival was held at a football oval!

There was the odd suggestion that after twenty years at the helm, Director Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan had lost it, but people should’ve known better. You don’t have a vision, realise it and maintain it for two decades without knowing a thing or two.

As the bad weather set in no doubt there were a few last minute outfit changes among the guests. Thankfully the rain held off as most of them made their way up the steps of Optus Stadium.  The stadium shone through the clouds in a fashionable new coat of pink, and the Matagarup bridge, also lit up pink, looked like a matching feather boa.

Inside, and past the photograph wall, guests mingled at a series of popup activation stations in The River View Room. There they could indulge in a hair (L’Oreal Professional Maurice Mead), makeup (Artists @ Play) or nail touch up (Glamour Nail Bar), or check out the Mosman Spa and Cosmedical Clinic beauty counter. After they could grab drink and wander through the AMP Capital shopping centres spectacular flower filled photo booth. Then it was quickly into our seats and on with the show. A welcome to country was followed by speeches from Premier Mark McGowan, key sponsors and the director who delighted in the fact that the oval would soon be holding an Eagles preliminary final.

Harvey-Hanrahan’s final words of “Dare to Dream” and “Live on the edge”, yelled with raised fist, were the perfect battlecry from someone who’s been in the trenches many times, and was taking a moment to enjoy the spoils, and deservedly so.

The setting was a gorgeous black polished runway dispersed with solid silver columns, the pink bridge outside the window providing a splash of colour in the background. Labels shown included: Dion Lee, Romance Was Born, Scanian Theodore, Viktoria and Woods, Morrison and One Fell Swoop. Here’s a small selection.

The models wore horizontal ponytails and ‘wet band aid’ eye makeup according to the makeup artist.

A Fashion Festival at a football oval? Why not, after all they’ve already used a museum, a concert hall forecourt, even a carpark. The Telstra Perth Fashion Festival continues to be a stunning opportunity to showcase and foster Australian creativity and local talent. Well done to all involved, it was a great night which will no doubt help even more up and coming Australian designers enter the global stage. For more information go to Telstra Perth Fashion Festival. Other reads you’ll enjoy:

• Five Places To Shop The Best Perth-Based Sustainable Fashion