By FIONA HAWTIN fashion editor
Moodgy the snake was the ultimate accessory for Jodie Packer's much-awaited $6 million diamond-encrusted bikini.
But when the carpet python suddenly coiled around the neck of model Kristy Hinze, things momentarily came unstuck at the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in Sydney.
Hinze deftly unravelled Moodgy and sashayed on.
Jodie
Packer's showing of her Tigerlily range was billed as THE show, by those in the know. The former swimwear model - daughter-in-law of Australian billionaire Kerry Packer - cast Hinze in the role of Eve with Moodgy in the dual role of wrap and serpent.
Snakes must be the new pashmina.
The rest of the swimwear was accessorised more simply with big sex-siren hair, glamorous red lips, bronzed bodies and the odd hat.
Packer cuts a good bikini, much to the appreciation of husband James in the middle of the front row.
But the couple are very tetchy about being photographed together.
Any attempt to photograph them as a couple was thwarted by minders.
There was still plenty to see backstage though. A team of hairdressers and 20 makeup artists started preparing about 20 models at 3.30 pm. They were still going at 7.30 pm.
Auckland-based Sharon O'Sullivan was on the team.
She had the job of giving one of the two male dancers all-over zebra stripes.
So much makeup for a couple of minutes on stage. But this was not just any show. This was THE show, full of very nice bikinis for an audience of mainly Australians.
Talk about selling ice to Eskimos.
