"IT'S about legs," Jodhi Meares said about FashionAssassin's Fashion Week show, which raised hemlines to new heights and added giant disco balls to the catwalk.
The label's under-30s fan base was out in force last night to see its 'Dirty Disco' show at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Sydney's Circular Quay, on the second day of the five-day event.
As roaming spotlights flashed through the crowd, FashionAssassin's signature red Swiss cross logo, projected onto a white drop-sheet at the back of the catwalk, was replaced with a one-minute visual collage of the cult brand's history.
The backdrop was then torn down to reveal three giant egg-shaped disco balls and the glittering Sydney Harbour Bridge behind them.
The music was loud, and the fashion was loud.
Joan Jett's 80s rock classic, I Love Rock and Roll, blared as sassy young models flounced down the catwalk, stopping to give a shimmy or a wink to a packed photographers' pit.
Unlike most of the labels showing at Fashion Week, FashionAssassin catered for both men and women.
For the ladies, gold lame tube dresses were skin-tight and oh-so-short, while the guys got the go-ahead for looks consisting only of tan mid-thigh shorts and loafers.
For those feeling a little chilly, 80s sport-style and bomber jackets adorned with jewelled badges were thrown over bare chests.
Mr Zabotto-Bentley even sent his models down the runway armed with digital cameras, and they would have snapped some famous faces.
Designer Alex Perry, model Annalise Braakensiek and model-turned-designer-turned-TV presenter Jodhi Mears were in the crowd.
Mr Perry, who showed his spring/summer collection on Monday night, said FashionAssassin would be one of the few shows he would attend this week.
I love Alex's (Zabotto-Bentley) shows. They're always amazing, they're high energy, it's exactly what he does, and I thought it was fantastic, Mr Perry said after the event.
Ms Meares, who hosts Australia's Next Top Model - where Perry is also a judge - also had high praise for the label.
It's just such a reflection of him (Zabotto-Bentley), Ms Meares said.
It's a lot of fun and it's very young and it's gorgeous.
As for the hemlines, Ms Meares speculated they were an attention-grabber for the show and would be lowered before the garments went on sale.
We're going to see a lot of that because legs have been such a focus, she said.
I'm sure that that's impact for the show, just to get the point across that it's about legs, but they'll probably lower them.
Backstage after the show, Mr Zabotto-Bentley said at least a year of planning had gone into his 75-piece collection and a further six months was dedicated just to the staging and production.
People don't even have their collection ready in time for Fashion Week and they show, like, 30 looks - we've got an overblown amount of things to be shown! he said.
