Vanna White Steps Out in a Touch of Down Under

PERTH, Australia, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- America's favorite girl-next-door Vanna White is stepping out in a touch of Down Under this week (September 13-17) on the long-running Wheel of Fortune.

White is wearing fabulous gowns by Australian fashion designer Dana Mathers who has already been called back to dress the star for a second week of shows that go to air November 15-19.

"I was invited to the taping of the shows in Las Vegas in July. Vanna was absolutely lovely and it was a real thrill to dress her and to see her wearing my designs," said Mathers who comes from Perth in Western Australia – almost as far from Sydney as LA is from New York.

"I was surprised but delighted to be invited back earlier this month to dress her again while I was in the US on another trip meeting buyers," she said.

"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to showcase my fashion before more than 16 million people every night." Mathers said the opportunity had come about through a chance meeting in LA with White's stylist.

This week White is wearing Mathers' Vega, a figure hugging bronze metallic dress; the Bella in rich purple with a single shoulder cascade of hand-cut organza flowers and a daring split to the thigh; the Shari, a gold sequined bodice with floor length liquid lame; Destiny in hot yellow chiffon Grecian style; and Sondra, a classic black silk chiffon strapless gown with stunning pleat detail and exquisite hand beading that flows into an elegant A-line.

Mathers made her debut in the US last year and now has 100 stockists throughout the country.

"It's a modest start but a great one – I hope to be everywhere in the next few years," she said and her designs are having an impact already.

Last season her distinctive showgirl inspired hi-lo Cassie gown was a best seller and the Aussie designer has been credited with leading a revival of this distinctive style – short at the front, long at the back.

Versace dressed Christina Aguilera at the MTV Movie Awards in a hi lo that could be said to have been inspired by the Cassie. Other stars to wear interpretations of the style include Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba and January Jones.

"Cassie just seemed to tap into some kind of zeitgeist – it went viral and I was getting emailed from girls throughout the US. I was also getting emailed by retailers who didn't stock me but wanted to know what a Cassie was because their customers were asking for it," she said.

"Some of my retailers later told me I was their overall best selling brand while others told me that I had saved their season – I'm really humbled because I didn't know what kind of reaction my designs would receive when I first launched."

Mathers exemplifies the old saying that "it took me a lifetime to become an overnight success. Back home she has been a successful designer and retailer for more than 15 years.

"I love designing evening wear and my signature look is red carpet. I believe that the cult of celebrity prevails in contemporary society and that women want their special moment in the spotlight. My aim is to make them look and feel fabulous and to have memories that last a lifetime," Mathers said.

SOURCE Dana Mathers