MBFWA 2012 Show Review: Johanna Johnson

It’s not often a designer creates so much buzz they start trending on Twitter, but that’s exactly what happened to Johanna Johnson following her show last night.

Hand-picked exclusively by Mercedes-Benz to show at Australian Fashion Week at the Mercedes-Benz Presents Show, Johnson joins an elite group of designers including Narciso Rodriguez, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier and Badgley Mischka, who have previously presented collections at the internationally acclaimed show.

View the Johanna Johnson runway images here

Known for its elaborate eveningwear, the Johanna Johnson brand is fast becoming a celebrity favourite with stars including Kim Kardashian, Christina Hendricks and Marisa Miller. It’s easy to see why: Johnson’s sweeping gowns are painstakingly detailed and tailored to perfection – in other words, perfect for the Hollywood red carpet.

Last night’s ‘Luxor’ collection, described by one Twitter user as “very Elie Saab” was a prime example of Johnson’s eveningwear old Hollywood glamour aesethetic. Art deco inspired gowns with carefully placed panel detailing and Swarovski crystals in elaborate, hand-stitched patterns cruised down the runway, with one dress made entirely of gold eliciting hoots from the audience as soon as it materialised.

Described by Johnson as a “decadent level of dressing,” the Luxor collection is a celebration of luxurious fabrics, jewels, beads, laces and hand finishes of old. In short, you can expect to find many of the gowns on the red carpet this season.