Fed: Leading ladies ready for awards night

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2008
Fed: Leading ladies ready for awards night

By Alyssa Braithwaite, National Entertainment Writer

MELBOURNE, Dec 5 AAP - It just isn't an awards night without the red carpet parade
of designer gowns and bling.

The Australian film industry's leading ladies spent Friday finalising their outfits
ahead of the star-studded AFI Awards on Saturday night.

The Black Balloon director Elissa Down said after all the hard work of getting her
film made it was fun to enjoy the glamorous side of the movie business.

Down had to travel around on public transport to find her "fabulous" gown last week,
but spent Friday in the more luxurious surrounds of Bvlgari's flagship store in Melbourne
picking out her jewellery.

"I'm wearing $400,000 chandelier earrings - I'm going to need a bodyguard," Down said.

"It's like, oh my god I could fund a film with what I'm wearing!"

The Black Balloon, starring Rhys Wakefield, Toni Collette and Gemma Ward, is the most
nominated film at the AFI Awards, with nods in 14 categories.

Down said that as nervous as she gets ahead of a big awards ceremony, much of her day
would be spent getting glammed up.

"People don't realise how much it takes for a girl to get ready," she said.

"It takes two hours just to get your hair done."

The Jammed star Veronica Sywak, who is nominated for best lead actress at Saturday's
awards, said she was going all-out this year, wearing a 20 carat diamond and white gold
necklace.

"I want to be able to short circuit a space station with my bling," Sywak laughed.

Other celebrities expected to attend the black-tie event include Eric Bana, Guy Pearce,
Susie Porter, Emma Lung, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Kerry Armstrong, Kat Stewart, Chris
Lilley, Hugo Weaving and Rebecca Gibney.

Sea Patrol actress Lisa McCune will wear a custom-made Moss & Spy ruby red lace dress,
while Underbelly star Madeleine West has had the silk of her outfit made to match to her
sparkling emerald necklace.

Actress Victoria Thaine, who starred in the 2006 Australian movie The Caterpillar Wish,
said getting all dressed up gave her a boost of confidence during a big event like the
AFI Awards.

"It's amazing how good it makes you feel," she said.

"It's a cliche but it's true."

The AFI Awards and red carpet will be held at Melbourne's Princess Theatre on Saturday
evening, and broadcast on the Nine Network.

AAP acb/mo

KEYWORD: AFI FASHION PREVIEW

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