What our most stylish designers will be wearing on New Year’s Eve
It’s the last day of 2023, so why not go out with sartorial fireworks?
Question – I am off to a New Year’s Eve party for the first time in a few years, having weathered bushfires, COVID-19 lockdowns and other disruptions to life. I’d like to wear something fabulous but I don’t quite know where to start. Can you steer me in the right direction, please? – Champagne Problems
It’s time to sparkle this New Year’s Eve. As to what to wear, read on.
Dear Champagne
I am a New Year’s Eve grinch, but I understand the desire to really frock up for the last day of the calendar year. You’re at a party drinking champagne and cocktails, having a ball – it stands to reason you’d want to look your best.
And that is the key: your best. When dressing for any occasion, it pays to think about what suits you best, and what you like wearing best, and then go for the very best (apologies) version of this.
When I worked on a bridal magazine, a designer told me that brides (and grooms!) should think about the styles they wear day to day, and choose a dress that fits this mould. In other words, you look like yourself, only a zillion times better.
Two options in velvet from Rebecca Vallance: the Bernadette midi dress, left, and the Vanessa mini.
In this vein, I asked a few stylish mates to help out. Rebecca Vallance, whose designs I wear frequently (and who makes the best party dresses in this country, in my opinion), is off to have lunch in Malta with her parents-in-law for New Year’s. Bec is someone who really loves dressing up; I’ve never seen her in jeans and am unsure she owns any. Her style is polished and feminine. So I am not surprised by her answer.
“I love bonded velvet for a very special feel,” she says. “I’ll be wearing something from my holiday collection in that fabric.”
Tamsin and Patrick Johnson of P. Johnson and P. Johnson Femme are decidedly more low-key. They’re known for their tailoring, which has an elegant but very relaxed feel.
They are spending summer in Palm Beach with friends and family – including kids. Tamsin says she’ll be wearing the P. Johnson Femme beaded camisole dress (barefooted) and Patrick says he’ll be in the P. Johnson kurta (a knee-length tunic) in white.
P. Johnson Femme’s beaded camisole dress, left, and the kurta (a knee-length tunic) for men from P. Johnson.
Lesleigh Jermanus, the brains behind Alémais, is known for her whimsical, print-laden designs. “I love New Year’s Eve,” she says. “It’s the time to go big and lean into party energy.”
Her own party energy comes straight from Studio 54 – she’s going to wear the Alémais Geanie gown, covered in liquid floor-length chocolate sequins. “The sound of sequins on the dance floor is quite something,” she says.
Or you could choose to dazzle in the Geanie sequin gown from Alémais.
Julia McCarthy, the designer behind Friends with Frank, will be at Port Willunga on New Year’s Eve. The plan is to have a long lunch with friends and family, followed by evening drinks.
“I love a piece that is luxurious but still relaxed,” she says. McCarthy will wear the Benita dress from her brand’s latest resort collection. “It’s made of 100 per cent silk and cut on the bias with a low-cut back, so it has the most beautiful silhouette. It’s elegant but easy.”
As for me? I’ll be on the couch – wearing fabulous pyjamas, of course. I love Papinelle, Desmond & Dempsey and Bond Street.
See you on the other side.
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