Steven Khalil says he was inspired by the colors of the Arabian deserts (a nod to the growing clientele in the region) as well as the glamour of the Art Deco period for his 2018 Resort Collection, recently presented as part of Mercedes-Benz Australia Fashion Week.

The Australian designer created an exquisite 25-piece collection richly embellished with sequins in a color palette of gold, silvery greys, red wines and black, with touches of purple and cornflower blue.

The opening look set the tone for this elegant collection with a calf-length nude-color cocktail dress with a front drape strategically embellished with golden sequins to gracefully accentuate the hips.

Particularly successful was a series of outfits, including a plunging-neck jumpsuit with an Art Deco pattern created with black, silver and two-tone golden sequins, along with a long purple evening gown with flower appliques on the bodice and sequin stripes embroidered on the floor-skimming skirt.

Many gowns were semi-transparent, showcasing the beading and embroideries, and the designer used layers of tulle to create short and voluminous skirts to complement beaded bodice or bodysuits.

The closing wedding grown featured a bodice that has a plunging neckline and tightly cinched waist contrasting with the voluminous beaded skirt made of organza. The dress was embellished with hundreds of applique flowers.