Smiling models, a hot pink set and a collection featuring velvet and lace are usually targets for a lacerating review. In lesser hands Macgraw’s third outing for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia could have resembled a Peter Alexander pyjama party instead of one of the day’s highlights.

Deliberately daggy forced perkiness was highlighted by a soundtrack that effortlessly shifted gears from The Crystals belting out Then He Kissed Me from 1963 to Iggy Azalea’s more recent Fancy. It was a relief from the monotonous soundscapes that have plagued the season to tap your Gucci-clad toes rather than cover your ears.

Super sweet dresses in floral lace with a 3D effect got the ball of happiness rolling before sheer blue and white gowns with ruffled collars that had a Stepford Wife quality, enhanced by bouncing Sharon Tate hairstyles.

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Macgraw Resort 2016
Credit: Getty Images

Then came the lace in a high-collared long sleeved mini-dress that stayed on the right side of baby doll, and as panels in seventies velvet skirts. Lace at the moment seems to be favoured by labels for its nude effect, but Macgraw skilfully harnessed its textural potential and more innocent femininity, without taking it back to the convent.

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Macgraw Resort 2016
Credit: Getty Images

The deep green velvet riding suit with cropped trousers and black military jacket were pure Charlie Girl territory while sleeveless tiered dresses with black ribbon collars, a mini in brilliant blush and floor-grazer in white, finished the pop confection on a high note. The show’s inspiration might have been French royalty, but this was more like an American television adaptation starring Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett and Shelley Hack.

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Macgraw Resort 2016
Credit: Getty Images

This show was another stop on the smooth road to success for Macgraw, having picked up the $100,000 National Designer Award at this year’s Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival and a place as finalists for the prestigious Woolmark Prize. The sister act of Beth and Tessa Macgraw deserved their joyful skip down the runway to warm applause and beaming smiles that stretched from the models to the back row. 

See all the looks from this Macgraw Resort 2017 show here.

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Macgraw Resort 2016
Credit: Getty Images