Baz Luhrmann opens Melbourne's Emporium in a riotous glitzy affair

It’s fair to say that the name Baz Luhrmann is not exactly synonymous with restraint.

The Australian director best known for pulling off meticulous and extravagant displays of debauchery in films such as The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet, brought his trademark touch to the grand opening of Melbourne’s Emporium shopping centre last night.

The $1.2 billion centre in the shell of the former Lonsdale Street Myer building was looking suitably glamourous for the event's 1,500 attendees.

The opening came at a great time for the centre’s owners, CFS Retail Property Group, who just announced a $400 million net profit for the 2014 financial year.

International retailers Top Shop and Uniqlo are among the tenants who have been welcoming customers for a few months preceding the launch. Though a few of centre's tenants are still waiting to open, the 225 retail spaces at Emporium are fully leased.

Luhrmann's vision for the opening was a "reimagined" Melbourne. While the opening event's giant tennis ball, beneath a cavorting acrobat, was a nod to the Australian Open, and a pink and purple horse sculpture a tip of the fascinator towards the spring racing carnival, other features of the launch had more tenuous links to the city.

Choreographed dancers wearing soldier and nurse costumes? A stretch.

A slick band seemingly swimming amongst a sea of gladioli? Not so sure…

Roller skating waiters eager to top up your glass of champers? I’ll roll with it.

The efforts certainly impressed attendees, including swimmer Michael Klim, singer Natalie Bassingthwaite and pyjama designer Peter Alexander. Property Observer also noted the attendance of The Block Glasshouse’s Darren and Dee.

However, Luhrmann was undoubtedly the star of the show. On a tour of the party, the director was mobbed by attendees, who had no doubt forgotten the nearly three hour ordeal that was Australia.