VAMFF Highlights

VAMFF 2015 Model Castings by Sebastian Petrovski

Still mega inspired by the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia designers, I thought I would continue this theme in another post, but this time for the VAMFF, or otherwise known as the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. The festival was held this year between 14-22 of March and featured some of Australia's most loved fashion designers, including Romance Was Born, Josh Goot and C/MEO COLLECTIVE (formerly Cameo the Label), to name but a few.

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C A M E O

Fleetwood

Cameo—housed under the Australian Fashion Labels group—has well and truly become an icon in Australia's fashion industry and has quickly gained traction globally. With this debut collection, titled Fleetwood, Cameo has evolved to become C/MEO COLLECTIVE—a new direction for the label focused on self-expression. As soon as I saw this coat on the VAMFF runway, I knew I needed it in my winter wardrobe. I purchased it in the tan/camel colour as it is super versatile and I just love anything camel-coloured in winter. However, this sky-blue colour is still amazing and paired with the silky camel skirt and blouse makes a perfect coupling. The coat is structured so well that it almost resembles a work of architecture—as soon as I put it on, I never want to take it off! It featured a fitted upper half, while the main body of the coat is more boxy and the lapel is really oversized. Plus, there's pockets, which is the key necessity in purchasing a coat!

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K E E P S A K E

Awaken

Keepsake is another label that is housed under the Australian Fashion Labels collective. Their April collection Awaken features florals, polka-dots and plenty of innovative, cutting-edge silhouettes that the label are well-known for. This crop top was one piece I was immediately drawn to, due to the amazing embellishments. So modern and chic, this piece works well teamed with the white culottes (which has been another big player in the fashion stakes for a while now) for a statement outfit on a night out.

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S H O N A J O Y

Winter '15

This matching set from Shona Joy immediately makes me think of the colder months. The salt and pepper weave of the fabric makes me feel warmth just looking at it. The jumper features the ever-trending turtleneck, which is one of my favourite cuts for this season as it keeps your neck warm without needing to add another extra layer of a scarf! The skirt is a pencil skirt, with a leather look belt panel at the waist and a slit, to keep things interesting (and allow leg movement!).

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J O S H G O O T

AW15

Josh Goot is another label that has been making the rounds, always featuring interesting prints. This ensemble is no exception. At first glimpse, I think of a office-appropriate outfit, but addition of the floral crop top suggests otherwise. It adds interest and breaks up an otherwise standard, simple outfit.

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A L E X P E R R Y

Barcelone

The colour pink and lace are among my favourite things, so naturally I am drawn to this amazing dress by Alex Perry. The dress is a midi length, with a very 90s square neckline. It is a simple, classy and classic silhouette and would be amazing for a garden wedding or any other daytime outdoors event.

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W H I T E S U E D E

Liquid Matter

More structured coats—yes please! I love this outfit so much—the floral dress pairs so well with the cream coat.

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I hope you enjoyed reading and viewing this post illustrating the work of some more great Australian fashion designers.

Until next time! x

My MBFWA Highlights

image sourced from http://www.angeliafashion.com/

I would have loved to be at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia this year (although to be honest, to be there experiencing it every year would be the ideal)! Despite not attending, I wanted to write about some of my personal highlights from this year's Sydney shows. Sorry this is quite a late post as the MBFWA has come and gone for a few weeks now, but better late then never I suppose!

For those who don't know, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia (or MBFWA for short) is a celebration of fashion and culture. Sydney becomes the nation's style attraction for Australia's most innovative fashion designers, red carpet celebrities and retailers. It is Australia's premier fashion and lifestyle event and showcases the contemporary Spring/Summer collections of Australia's leading designer brands. (blurb taken from the official website)

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A L I C E M C C A L L

One Track Love

The Alice McCall show was an array of colour—think statement patterns, detailed lace and embroidery and modern takes on classic cuts. The art designed for the runway was created by installation artist Damion Downey, creating a field of interesting hill-like shapes that form “a sculptural garden where Alice’s creations can dance freely.” My favourite outfit from the show is this fun playsuit, with orange floral embroidery and billowy sleeves. I can imagine this being worn to a pool party, sipping pina coladas and dancing the hula!

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B E C A N D B R I D G E

The show by Bec and Bridge reminded me of a group of strong, Amazonian women. I feel like I am being transported back to a sun-drenched Morroccan landscape when I look at the pieces—I just want to be feeling the summer rays again! The playsuit above features a geometric monochrome print all over and was one of my favourites, although the entire collection is so inspiring. Designers Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston described the collection as featuring "vibrant Moroccan carpet prints adorned sheer slips shot with threads of silver and gold...while handkerchief hems and billowing bell-sleeves embody nomadic sophistication amidst jagged cliffs and sweeping horizons." I can definitely see this vision in the clothes.

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M A T I C E V S K I

This gold number from the Maticevski. Its something I could see Barbarella wearing, or what a futuristic bride would wear on her wedding day. The overall collection was very forward-looking, with inventive cuts and luxe fabrics. The gold fabric is especially luxe, as it is actually 24 carat gold plated! But it was not just focused on futuristic, angled pieces but also gauzy, floaty fabrics adorned with florals. This isn't just another floral-driven stock-standard Spring collection, but a Spring collection with a futuristic, combining nature with the possibilities of the future.

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M A N N I N G C A R T E L L

As you all have probably established now, matching sets are—in my opinion—the bomb.com. So it should come at no surprise that this fun polka-dot outfit featured above by Manning Cartell is among my favorites in the collection. Models all sported a classically bold red lip, juxtaposing against the intensely vivid colours and striking patterns. Silhouettes included boxy cut crops, pencil skirts and tailored shorts—styles which I often find myself gravitating towards when I am browsing the racks in boutiques. The colours chosen were a jungle of neon/kelly greens, oranges, and a variety of popping blue shades. This spotty ensemble is the most fun outfit I've mentioned in this review and is something that I would love to own, to add to my ever-growing collection of matching sets!

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A J E

Vihara

Aje's show was full to the brim of soft, relaxed silhouettes that take me to visions of lazy holiday beach days. The clothes had an ethereal vibe about them, with a minimal aesthetic—neutral linens played a big role prior to the revealing of intricately beaded gowns towards the end. The colour palette consisted of mainly neutral, muted tones of pinks and light greys paired with deeper, richer colours. I particularly loved this ensemble consisting of a draped-sleeved white v-neck top and embellished a-line mini skirt. It is something I can picture myself wearing in the Spring and Summer for a garden party.

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E L L E R Y

Ellery's collection was inspired by the Austrian painter Egon Schiele, whose work is noted for its intensity, expressive line-work and sexuality. The models all wore interesting earpieces consisting of buttons, which were designed by designer Kym Ellery's mother. The pieces included in the collection are sophisticated and elegant, with signature silhouettes such as the ever omnipresent bell-sleeves and flared pants. The pieces above illustrate these characteristics, with the luxe silky black pants and the equally luxurious fabric of the tunic top.

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Once again, Australian fashion designers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the world of high fashion, as illustrated in this small selection. The work of designers mentioned in this post are just a small sample of the inspiring designs emerging from Australia. Hopefully I have inspired you to look at these designers and research their respective bodies of work.

Until next time! x