AFTER-HOURS

The daydream of shutting down a store to refresh a personal wardrobe comes alive at the newly redeveloped fashion floors at David Jones Elizabeth Street with its fantasy rollcall of local and international designers. Vogue tries on the season’s standouts. Styled by Philippa Moroney. Photographed by Jake Terrey.

NAME AND A DRESS

There is no rival for the pleasure of the bricks-and-mortar experience in the digital age. And a dress such as this one – made in butter-soft vegan leather by Budapest label Nanushka – should be tried on in a setting that similarly appeals to the senses, like David Jones’s personal shopping suites. Nanushka dress, $999. Alexander McQueen shoes, $1,350, and bag, on table, $2,899. All clothes and accessories throughout from David Jones.

SEE YOURSELF IN THIS

The power of a good dress has been exemplified on runways of late and nowhere as well as at Balenciaga. Its versions, in lively shades of blue, are examples par excellence of sharp, structured styles and fluid midi-lengths. Pay a visit to the luxuriously appointed women’s shoe floor at David Jones’s Elizabeth Street store for the finishing touch.

Emma (left) wears a Balenciaga dress, $3,049, earrings, $795, bag, $2,175, and shoes, $1,630. Rowena wears a Balenciaga dress, $5,199, earrings, $795, bag, $2,450, and shoes, $1,345.

DRAMA QUEENS

Our designers’ unique understanding of Australian seasons results in on-the-mark breezy creations for warm nights – as the selection at David Jones showcases. Throw caution to the wind and revel in the season’s new volumes like the airy XXL balloon sleeves from Aje. For after-five, pair with understated jewellery.

Emma wears an Aje dress, $595, and earrings, $250.

Rowena wears an Aje dress, $595, and earrings, $220.

LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

It’s all about options. Eveningwear might immediately call to mind floor-length gowns, but don’t discount abbreviated lengths. Toni Maticevski’s burnished gold lurex dresses make the case for both silhouettes. The luxury of choice. Emma wears a Toni Maticevski dress, $2,049. Aquazzura shoes, $1,149. Rowena wears a Toni Maticevski gown, $3,699. Aquazzura shoes, $1,099.

JUST DANCE

This season, designers stretched the stiff limits of eveningwear to offer a thoroughly modern proposition: dresses made to move in. An insouciant spirit lives on in Chloé’s throw-on embroidered silk dresses that flow in step with the body. Rowena wears a Chloé dress, $4,399, bag, $1,849, and bracelet, $450. Emma wears a Chloé dress, $3,599, and bag, $2,699.

ON THE UP

Look no further to furnish a power wardrobe. A fitted blazer or coat is a fail-safe way to play with proportion and escalate an outfit’s sense of professionalism. Tibi’s silhouettes in crisp white and neutrals keep the emphasis on clean lines and won’t distract from the job.

Emma wears a Tibi blazer, $1,499, and skirt, $999. Yuzefi bag, $869. Rowena wears a Tibi coat, $1,649, blazer, $1,049, and pants, $599. Danse Lente bag, $629.

To see behind the scenes of this shoot, go to Vogue.com.au.