The grandeur of sensuality: a love affair between artistry and seduction

From the radiant design of Kira Bayliss clothing and the Adelaide Ballet Company, Casanova and His Mistress brings you the seductive and elusive stories of Casanova and his alluring exploits.

“Where desire meets design”

Upon entering the Adelaide Town Hall Meeting Room, I found myself immediately enraptured by the atmosphere; the golden chandeliers above me, the grand arches, and the soft glow of the afternoon sun beaming through the windows.  With a glass of Varney Rosé in one hand, and an almond biscotti in the other, I settled myself into an evening of glorious performance. 

I had anticipated the works of the upcoming Mistress Collection and was mesmerised by the machinations at work, as “the lines between runway and performance dissolves”. The Adelaide Ballet Company displayed a captivating rendition of ‘The Dual for Casanova’s Heart’, where each dancer masterfully told the tale of a loose man and the poor lovers who fought so desperately to claim him. I must admit, I’ve never much believed in the power of ballet. As a writer, how could a story be told without words? However, The Adelaide Ballet Company proved me entirely wrong with their performance, and I never wanted it to end. 

However, the performance was only the beginning of a spectacular exhibition on the power of art to tell a story. As Casanova lamented over his two lovers fighting, we see his past exploits grace the stage in the impeccable designs of Kira Bayliss. Casanova leads each mistress to their pedestal, adorned with an array of lace and fixtures. From buttons and thread, pointe shoes and fans, easels and origami, wine glasses and grapes; each a movement throughout history that has shaped our understanding of fashion. 

The two final mistresses of Casanova walked out, his feuding lovers from the ballet, in full bloom. We see the continuation of a pure source of inspiration for Kira, the environment. Sustainability is at the core of Kira’s brand, creating bespoke pieces out of recycled fabrics. Clothing with intention, with the purpose of revitalisation, is the most artistic and meaningful form of fashion. So, it is no secret we at Fresher adore her.

A favourite look of mine from the collection was ‘The Artist’. The material itself had reclaimed fabrics woven into a two-piece set with a matching cap. Although the silhouette was beautiful in of itself, an ode to mod fashion (and I do love a miniskirt), what drew me in was the texturing. Each new line of threading was purposeful in its design, a new colour, a new thickness, a new story to tell. I loved the addition of the sheer sleeves and abdomen, along with the gorgeous line of buttons down the centre. It’s truly something so unique that sunk its hooks into me. Days later, and I am still sighing enviously that I cannot covet the look for myself. 

The entire event showcased unfiltered beauty; from the gorgeous models and dancers, to the pedestal design curation, to the very room we were all standing in. All with the ties to Earth’s greatest beauty, the natural world. By the end of the show, I myself was entranced, seduced by the handiwork of Kira Bayliss Clothing, the Adelaide Ballet Company, ÉLEVER jewellery, and the wonderful wine and dessert crafters, Varney Wines and On Cockatoo Lane.

I cannot wait to see what Kira presents next, and whatever it will be, I will be first in line for the next show, as her new number 1 fan.