MSFW Designer Series Runway 1

What may already seem like a long time ago in fashion circles, last Saturday night was the official opening of MSFW with the 1st runway show gracing the Melbourne Town Hall. It's hard to keep up sometimes but as each model whizzed past me and my camera struggled to click on time, I was rather pleased with what I was seeing come down the runway, with both the clothes, hair/make-up and styling.

Dress yourself in red, white and blue-the Brits are coming to Acmi!

Image courtesy HBO

Spring is rolling around once more, and the annual way to celebrate it is with the launch of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week! And what better way to dress than in red,white and blue as we celebrate the newly fashioned film season at ACMI, curated by James Nolen, From Twiggy to Westwood-great British fashion on film. A highlight event in the MSFW calendar, and presented in association with MSFW and Great Britain Arts 13, each year we are presented with fashion films to highlight a week of runway festivities and cultural exhibitions, giving us time to pause and experience fashion from a behind the scenes angle, which is always far more interesting than what is presented front and centre on show.

Nature, Friends, Wine and Fashion! What more can you want!

Last Friday I did the opposite to what most people would be doing at about 6pm. I left the hustle and bustle of the city noise and bars and headed towards the tranquillity of the mountain backdrops in the Yarra Valley. My fashionable companion on this mini road trip was my good friend James Nolen who had a rather special jacket to launch at the event. As you will see below, it's quite luminous and reflected the backdrop beautifully. We were on our way to a rather unique fashion event, where unlike most which are set in urban surrounds, this one was being held at the picturesque Yering Station Cellar Door Gallery space.

The diverse creativity on show at the student exhibition at MSFW

Kirby Hanrahan

Another great free exhibition during MSFW was the student exhibition at 1000 Pound Bend. I always look forward to this exhibition during fashion week as it's great to retreat into a space where you never know what you will see but you know that you will always be intrigued and entertained by some creative design and intricate workings. I was really impressed by the work and the use of materials including blankets turned into menswear. It will be interesting to see what these designers can come up with next. 

Cesar Chehade

Nick Brown

Teegan Meade

Amanda Lee

Sunjit Bhatt

Marcia Miller

Alice Campbell

Hugh Egan Westland

Audrey Thomas-Hayes

Parallel Tensions at MSFW

Well even though I know MSFW is now a distant fashion blur, there was so much to see and do and cram into one week. Reporting back on all of them in time, was unfortunately not possible, but that doesn't mean that they are still not worth showing you. One of those events was a free exhibition held at fortyfivedownstairs of emerging designers showcased by strips of fabric and mood lighting, giving off great shadows and atmosphere like installation pieces of art. It was a chance to see some clothes up close and observe the construction and although not all of the pieces were necessarily wearable, the concept behind them were interesting to see. What do you think? 

Christina Exie

Tettman.Doust

J.K.Kirk

Raggatt

Melanie Bower

Francis Leon

Oracles

Jason Hewitt

Levi's rocks my world

One of the highlights of MSFW is that if you can't afford to attend the main runway shows at the Town Hall, you can still see some great fashion on the runway for free with daily free shows held at the City Square. I unfortunately missed a lot of them because I was watching fashion films at ACMI (you can't be at two fashion spots at once) but I was thrilled to be able to catch the Levi's show which I was looking forward to. I must say I am already a fan of this label as it fits within my 'look' which is denim, denim and then some more denim! And yes- I have double dipped my denim- both in the 80's with an acid wash ensemble and of late, mixing denim hues and accessories. I just love it, and I think you can make it work, as this runway show can attest. Levi's is all about a relaxed look, but still put together and giving the wearer the chance to feel comfortable, fitted and yet presentable. This show was obviously inspired by 'On the road' with movies once again influencing fashion, and had a story of the traveller and the effortless pieces you can wear while 'On the road', accompanied by a live band to set the 'youthful, edgy scene'. I do love the simplicity of a great cut jean and a striped t-shirt or a denim dress and a great pair of boots so it was a delight to see a wearable show that anyone can incorporate into their wardrobe.

Is it just me or is this model a spitting image of Johnny Depp!! Hello!!