(28th November 2017, Perth) Telstra Perth Fashion Festival’s fourth annual Swim + Resort Series wrapped up on a triumphant high with Australia’s most exciting designer names in resort wear and swimwear strut down Perth’s picturesque boardwalks and sandy beaches in all their sun-soaked glory on 25th and 26th November 2017.

MANNING CARTELL Overlooking the picturesque Swan River, acclaimed Australian label Manning Cartell opened Swim + Resort Series 2017 with a spectacular collection titled Sealander on 25th November 2017 at Point Fraser. A tribute to the Rococo beauty of the 17th century and underpinned by a sense of sultry evening glamour, the new collection embraces elaborate patterns, gilding, decorative painting and a palette of light pastels. The romantic allure is juxtaposed by an 80s twist with magnified colours, sumptuous materials and silhouettes of exaggerated proportions, creating a sense of lightness and movement that transcends time.A collaboration between powerhouse sister trio Cheryl, Vanessa and Gabrielle Manning, the brand has forged a strong reputation during its 12 years in the industry for creating sophisticated, innovative garments. The brand has recently made its foray into the US market and has partnered with prominent department store Barneys to be stocked around the country.Set against at the iconic City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club, City Beach, the WA Designer Runway kicked off the second day of runway shows on 26th November 2017 with diverse and imaginative collections from some of WA’s best established and emerging designers. The presentation provided a broad spectrum of cruise and swim styles for both men and women led by Perth’s hottest models, including Lucy Baddeley, the face of Swim + Resort Series 2017. Eight designers were featured in the line-up: Ambra Maddalena, Amore + Sorvete, House of SKYE, Kirrikin Summer, Ocean Zone, SEI Bella Aqua Wear and SKYE & Staghorn, with WA stalwart Morrison opening the show. Monochrome one-pieces, bold bikinis and graphic dresses vied for attention and all style sensibilities were accounted for, from the gypsy queen to the modern minimalist, the seductive siren and the sports-luxe explorer.

Australia’s top resort label Camilla returned to the beaches of Perth with its SS17/18 collection, From Rio With Love, the brand’s largest global collection to date. Inspired by the idea of falling in love on holiday, the collection celebrates love, colour, romance, and the joyous carnival atmosphere of Brazil’s seaside city. Since the release of her first kaftan 14 years ago, the Camilla name has become synonymous with resort wear in Australia and across the globe. Known for its bohemian, playful and bespoke garments that epitomise summer, every collection speaks of a journey, taking inspiration from travel and wanderlust.The label’s signature clashing prints move through a kaleidoscope of colour, from Aztec graphics to leopard, botanicals, fruits and tropical birds – in a sea of colour and vibrancy, with over 45 new silhouettes across 60 prints. Fashion Council WA Creative Director Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan says, “I love how all the designers give different interpretations on resort wear, yet managing to evoke the quintessential nature of a Perth summer, while sharing the same commitment to quality, fine craftsmanship and unbound creativity. I am so proud of the calibre of fashion here in WA - Swim + Resort Series 2017 has cemented WA as a leading global summer destination for amazing swimwear, resort wear and beaches like no other.” The event was attended by international influencers Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman of A Bikini a Day, who brought some social media star power to the front row of Swim + Resort Series 2017.