On the Red Carpet: Midwinter Ball

Canberra’s Press Gallery Midwinter Ball gives our pollies the chance to indulge in “red carpet’ dressing. With an election looming and the main political parties fiercely divided over just about every issue, perhaps it was not surprising that then-PM Julia Gillard and Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop chose such different gowns for the annual bash.

Gillard chose a floor length black lace dress, paired with a black cropped jacket, black clutch and pearls. The Carla Zampatti dress showed off the PM’s legs, clad in dark hose, under a flesh coloured slip.

The floor-length skirt reduces the appearance of her lower half, drawing attention to her face, and creating a long, lean unbroken line, where an opaque skirt could have looked heavy and unbalanced. The Jacket hits just above her hips, creating symmetry in the outfit.

The bracelet length sleeves show off Gillard's wrists and hands (often a woman's most slender, delicate features), and the cut of the dress and jacket's necklines emphasises the length of her neck.

Her hair and make up were polished, elegant and subtle, complimenting the rest of her outfit, and reflecting the current trend for 1920's inspired fashions.

Also drawing on the Great Gatsby trend of the year, Bishop chose a stunning silvery white knee length gown with a lace overlay and feathered hem line, teamed with a pearly-white clutch and diamond-and-pearl jewellery.

This cut of dress emphasises Bishop's tiny waist; the  sleeves end just above the elbow, drawing attention to the narrowest point of her torso.

The straight seam of the opaque under dress combined with the flared hem of the skirt combine with the snug wait to create a classic hourglass shape - which in my opinion is the most flattering for men and women - and the sheer yoke and sleeves are age appropriate and elegant.

The pale shoes and neutral hose lengthen the appearance of Bishop's legs, and give the eye a point of gentle contrast.