Kooey RAFW 2011 - Day 4

Day 4 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week saw the first of my swimwear shows, Kooey.  Kooey's Spring/Summer 2011/12 collection "Desert Dreaming and Sunset" was inspired by the land with particular focus on the Australian Central Desert in the Northern Territory.... The "wilderness of vast valleys, red sand dunes and huge sheer rock walls, cool picturesque waterholes and sandy creek beds of soft white sand."  The prints were designed by artist Anne Hanning who drew inspiration from the rich and vibrant colour palette of the land and layers of the desert.. dashes of pink, yellow, red, purple and orange.  The collection includes one-piece and separate swimwear, kaftans and cover-ups.  I loved the short blonde, red and black wigs and the models posing at three different areas of the runway!

 

(Images - Zimbio)

Stay tuned for a recap of my final show at RAFW, as well as a few special posts!

Alice McCall - RAFW 2011 - Day 3

As night fell on Day 3 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Alice McCall hosted a Victorian Tea Party.  Alice McCall's Spring/Summer 2011/12 collection, 'The Dansant' was inspired by a high tea garden party..mismatched china, broderie tablecloth, cut crystal, lacy-edged porcelain cake plates and garden flowers.  The collection included soft flowy silk pleated dresses, lampshade silhouette dresses, sheer long sleeved tops and dresses, silk shorts, skirts and jumpsuits...pastels, nudes and black with dashes of colour.  Her use of prints and cut work was exquisite!  I'm not usually a follower of the 'cut out' trend, but Alice managed to add a feminine element to the trend and has completely changed my mind!  Alice McCall's collection was romantic, elegant and pretty.. the perfect way to end day 3 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.  I've got my eye on quite a few pieces from this collection and those Jeffery Campbell shoes too!     

 (Images above taken by me!)

(Images - Little Hero PR)

Alice McCall Finale! (Copyright The Lilac Mannequin)

Bianca Spender RAFW 2011 - Day 3

After attending Carla Zampatti's pre-fashion week show (http://thelilacmannequin.blogspot.com/2011/04/carla-zampatti-springsummer-201112.html), I was very excited for Bianca Spender's show.  Bianca Spender's Spring/Summer 2011/12 collection 'Division,' explores 'colour, geometry and abstraction' and was inspired by 'the thoughts of modernist artists'.  Bianca mixed colour, dashes of red, yellow and blue with translucent neutrals, resulting in a soft boldness.  Garments were 'cut, twisted and draped', experimenting with geometry which created shape and form.  The use of organza formed an architectural element, contrasted with use of soft silks.  The collection is modern, feminine, sophisticated and simple.. long draped dresses, structured jackets and cropped pants, jumpsuits, loose blouses and shift dresses.  So simple yet, so powerful, Bianca reinforced the 'beauty of geometry.'  I loved the dramatic, theatrical music!
Spotted front row at Bianca Spender - Carla Zampatti, Erin McNaught, Ruby Rose and every magazine editor!       

(Images - Zimbio)

The Bianca Spender Finale! (Copyright The Lilac Mannequin)

Michael Lo Sordo RAFW 2011 - Day 3

Sorry for the delay in posts, Blogger has been down for maintenance.  Day 3 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was quite busy!  My second show for the day was the collection by Michael Lo Sordo.  When I walked into the Cargo Theatre, to my surprise the seating had been completely re-arranged!  All the seating was placed in the middle and the models were to walk on the outskirts. 
It seems as though Michael Lo Sordo's Spring/Summer 2011/12 collection was channelling the Greek Goddess of Mount Olympus..The models graced the runway, walking at a slow pace, to serene music, showcasing Michael's feminine and simplistic collection.  I love his use of colour..white, black, pastel pink and blue, mixed with a unique 'smoke like' print. (featured on the invitation).  My favourite pieces were the silk and sheer, flowy long dresses..it seemed as the though models were floating down the runway rather than walking!

 

(Images - Zimbio)

The Michael Lo Sordo Finale! (Copyright The Lilac Mannequin)

Stay tuned for more RAFW coverage!

Fashion Weekend Sydney

Taking a pause from my RAFW posts, thought I'd promote Fashion Weekend Sydney presented by Shop Til You Drop!  The event kicks off Thursday night and continues right through till Sunday (12th-15th May 2011 at the Royal Hall of Industries).   A shopping experience no Fashionista should miss!  Enjoy savings of up to 70% off all your favourite Australian designers including Bec and Bridge, Shakuhachi, Maurie and Eve, Peeptoe and that's just the start.  The event also includes catwalk shows, a Toni and Guy pop up salon, makeovers by NP Set, manicures by Essie and Chic Model Management will be scouting!  For more information and tickets visit http://www.fashionweekend.com.au/  

Shakuhachi RAFW 2011- Day 3

Day 3 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week began with Shakuhachi's Spring/Summer 2011/12 collection, 'Block Party.' Indeed the collection was all about block.. colour 'blocking'... Dashes of pink, orange, yellow and blue. These colours were 'blocked' with black, nude and white which complemented the bolder colours, making the collection less dramatic and more wearable. The start of the collection was quite simple and as the show progressed the collection became more detailed and exquisitely embellished. The collection included short dresses and shorts, lace, cut outs, flowy maxi dresses, sheer maxi dresses, leather, flares, midriffs and turban scarfs. After receiving the video clip invite to Shakuhachi's show (as seen in a previous post) I was excited to see the collection... and it definitely didn't disappoint.(Images courtesy of Zimbio)

The Shakuhachi finale (Copyright The Lilac Mannequin)