Mercedes Australian Fashion Week 05/06

 

Pre-show bumph…

 

Celebrating its 10^th Birthday Mercedes Australian Fashion Week declared it was in the mood to party. Held at Circular Quay, Sydney, it’s hard to believe that MAFW started out as a three-day event with just a score of designers. Oh how things have changed, the very latest edition boasted an 8 day schedule featuring 85 ready-to-wear catwalk designers and many more taking part in the static exhibition. 

 

 

 

 

What the Press had to say…

 

If you think good old London takes a bi-annual bashing from the press you should check out some of the reports down-under. With more knocks than frocks journalists questioned – where have our top designers gone? Australia’s best-known international designer – Collette Dinnigan has been showing in Paris since the mid-nineties, while other notable names that committed to show this season – Sass & Bide and Easton Pearson – pulled out at the last minute. Despite all the negativity the number of internationals visiting the event was up on last year by 61 per cent.

 

 

 

Who went…  {mosimage}

 

Approximately 300 internationals

 

56 buyers from 16 markets – thanks to Austrade. (The Federal Government’s export agency – Austrade spent $150,000 to entice overseas buyers to MAFW in a bid to boost international sales.)

 

Polly Noel-Storr from Selfridges in London, Stephanie Solomon from Bloomingdales in New York and Julia Hurst from Holt Renfrew in Canada were among the key buyers attending. 

 

 

 

On the catwalk…

 

Jade Jagger flew over to model just one shimmering gold dress and stir up some publicity for designer – Charlie Brown

 

 

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Show of the Week…

 

Highly anticipated New Zealand designer Trelise Cooper impressed the fashion pack with her exquisite lingerie range. Inspired by days gone by – camisoles, corsets, bras and knickers arrived embroidered and bejewelled. Polly Noel-Storr, womenswear buyer from retail giant Selfridges, London, certainly liked what she saw and said “It was very strong, feminine and sexy, which is everything a Selfridge’s girl looks for.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The A-Class MAFW Awards S/S 05/06{mosimage}

 

 

 

Best Emerging Designer: Mad Cortes

 

Best Model: Alexandra A from Chic Models

 

Best Collection Show: Scanlan & Theodore

 

 

 

 

Marla’s Australian Fashion Week Diary…

 

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Australian resident and former fashion model Marla Singh took time out of her hectic schedule in fashion retail to check out a few of this seasons catwalk shows…

 

 

 

 

Akira   {mosimage}

 

The start of the Akira show was somewhat delayed – I sat and drank bubbly and observantly watched the stylists, editors and buyers arrive – some of whom I have worked with over the years. Lots of women went for the jeans tucked into boots look which I think has been done to death. Another popular look which I am not a big fan of and was everywhere was this Op shop – mismatched style – I know it’s very ‘in’ at the moment but believe me in years to come they will look back at 2005 photographs and say to themselves ‘what was I thinking!’

 

Akira has been busy with his designs for the Sydney Dance Company, so with this in mind he decided to show his latest collection on dancers accompanied by a pianist. There were tutu dresses, full billowing gowns, lots of layers and organic shapes teamed up with simple Bonds singlets. It was a performance that was more art than fashion – and I felt that the dancing took away the emphasis from the clothes.

 

 

Fashion Assassin

 

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After Akira it was the turn of Fashion Assassin and my compliments to the DJ, we were all rockin’ in our seats. The show opened with yet more dancers but this was swiftly followed by some straight up and down catwalking. The collection ‘Assassin in Paradise’ was very commercial and I’m sure it will do well with the younger end of the market. Lots of printed tees, raw edged ruffle skirts, shirt dresses and floral patterns. Meanwhile, for the boys it was military style meets paradise prints – laid-back and cool – the overall mood was very Mexican.

 

                      

 

 

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Zimmerman

 

Nicky Zimmermann is known for her super-sexy swimwear and this time it hits the spot once again. Her drapes, twists and knots gave a Grecian feel while the body-sculpting beachwear looked fantastic on the catwalk models. Styled with sky-high platforms and beads galore Zimmermann also threw plenty of floaty sundresses and tiered frills into the summery mix.

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Zambesi

 

Over at Zambesi was a darker, edgier vibe. Accompanied by a bit of thrash guitar models strutted out in a collection entitled ‘It’ll end in tears.’ Think slightly off-kilter meets classic urban shapes worn in a grungy manner. It was very Zambesi – and in my opinion very European. Masculine pieces such as belted waistcoats, utilitarian coats and wide-leg pants were combined with lace and stretch jerseys in a neutral muted colour palette.

 

 

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Willow

 

Kit Willow got those fashionistas raving in London when she showed there a couple of seasons ago – and for those missing Sass & Bide – Willow offers a similar glamorous spin with some grown-up appeal. Forget thrash rock and the latest club tunes – this show opened with a suited & booted tenor – see what I mean about more grown up. Empire line frocks and tops featured pretty decorative necklines and there was more than enough sparkle to keep the girlyest of girls happy.    

 

 

It’s been fun – until next time big kiss.

 

   

Marla  x

 

 

        

 

Left to right – Lisa Ho – Bare by Rebecca Davis – Scanlan & Theodore

 

 

By JoJo Iles

 

Catwalk reports via Marla Singh

 

Images from Claudio Vega www.lightboxstudio.com.au and participating PR’s