The collonade outside Melbourne’s GPO was the place to be for high fashion on Thursday, with our fabulous designers taking their Autumn/Winter collections to the catwalk. The combination of music, dance, food, sun and fashion made for a perfect afternoon of style and decadence.
Veronika Maine went metallic crazy with gold mini dresses with tulle detail to emphasise the shoulders, a loose draping leather jacket, silk shirts and dresses with sequined jackets. Hussy also used sequins in their designs, on the collars of frocks and on a low cut mini dress with a “Peter Pan” jagged hem. They also experimented with the maxi dress with ruffle and sequin detail in the shape of flowers. LIFEwithBIRD‘s collection combined leather tights, metallics, prints and a long vest made of thick black hair.
Alexi Freeman‘s print heavy collection took charge with linear patterns and geometric prints adding gold sequin detail to add a touch of glitter. Belinda initially used monochrome prints adding brown to the colour scheme. Then colours become brighter and bolder with greens, yellow and hot pinks coming down the runway with floral prints, scrunching and ruffles. Leona Edmiston used the same colours in a geometric print maxi dress and asymmetric necklines on frocks in blues and black with ruffle and rope detailing.
Ben Sherman went back to school using the grey blazer with black piping, check pencil skirts and denim shirts paired with jeans. There was also a hint of rock edge when the British flag icon was paired with a leather jacket. Acne also had a take on the blazer, pairing a tailored white version with pale pink lapels and a full skirt with tulle petticoat. They also created a long “boyfriend blazer” in grey worn with black shorts. Nicolangela‘s designs were full of silk dresses with cascading drapery, subtle stripes and pleats.
Purple got a lot of attention at the shows with Metallicus using brilliant purple and blues in conjunction with wintery greys in the form of scarves with cascading ruffles, long cardigans and tops with delicate prints. Their famous layering was back, combining colours and textures to keep a Melburnian warm this winter. Karen Millen featured a deep purple in a paneled mini dress, also showcasing tight black jeans and classic tailoring. Digby’s was another designer to use purple, teaming it with navy for a variation on the Melbourne staple black. Knee length dresses with interesting textures, shaped hems, and tailored jackets decorated with rouching. Silk dresses and floaty scarves added a touch of summer.
Nicola Waite‘s colour palette revolved around black, white and lime green; featuring wide leg pants, uneven layering and coats with sleeves ending at the elbow. Alpha60 stuck to timeless blacks and greys with long comfortable knits, a velvet cardigan and glimpses of digital prints.
Chunky knit scarves with a tailored grey suit, two toned waistcoats and leather jackets were served up by Arthur Galan AG. Gorman showcased their knits as well, with metallic and peach designs. They added ruffles to their version of this season’s key piece, the leather jacket; and sequined stars to their sheer fabrics. Christopher Chronis mixed it up with block colours and patterns such as multi coloured brush strokes and zebra print. We saw a military style double breasted coat, black suit with silk edging on the pockets and flowing maxi dresses.
Fur was another key trend that has been appearing on the catwalks this season. Baccini & Hill played with hip length fur coats and feathered capelets, keeping it elegant with long silk gowns. Lisa Ho added touches of fur and feathers as vests and mini skirts teamed with leather and structured jackets complete with beading and tassles to draw attention to the shoulders. Manning Cartell showed a hard edge in palette of fuschia and black, with leather skirts, fur coats, exaggerated shoulders on structured jackets and metallic mini dresses.
Ruffles were voluminous at Akira paired with velvet skirts, floaty silk tops and bold prints in orange and purple. The bright red dress with weaving detail on the chest was a standout. We also saw ruffles in Wayne Cooper‘s designs contrasting the tough textures of leather and black sequin mini dresses. The first patent leather trench we had seen also came from this collection.
IM strutted their stuff in sheer maroon fabrics with white lace detail and scarlett ribbons. Brides of Melbourne‘s collection featured gorgeous strapless gowns with intricate beading, tulle ‘fan shaped’ detail and gold beading.
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