ROSEMOUNT AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK…A STYLIST’S PERSPECTIVE
Gary Bigeni's outstanding SS 2011 showing
(RAFW Spring/Summer 2010) In May each year, Australia’s fashion industry descends on Sydney for the showing of the upcoming Spring/Summer collections. More than 100 designers across 65+ shows held down at the Overseas Passenger Terminal draw thousands in attendance from the retail, wholesale, media, design and styling industries.
It’s an experience that can easily be compared to the childhood excitement of Christmas. Put simply, the opportunity to get a glimpse of what lies ahead in fashion is much like peeking at your presents before the big day!
Whilst the primary audience are definitely the highly influential buyers who stock what we see and love in the shops each season, the opportunity for a stylist to get an inside look is not only incredibly inspiring but also ensures my clients are kept abreast of what’s hot for the season ahead.
Here are some of the highlights to share with you:
• The people watching – It doesn’t get any more voyeuristic than this; it’s like Reality TV in 3D at max volume!
• Celebrities - you get up-close and personal with the likes of Jen Hawkins and Sarah Murdoch
• Designers – the brat pack of Morrissey, Perry and Cooper sitting front row at the Emerging Designers Show
• Fashionistas - stylists, writers and bloggers abound and it’s a fashion battle to see who is wearing what each day
• Waiting – some shows were up to 90 mins late due to last minute fine touches; you must register an hour prior to each single show and the seating process is intricate and political!
• Watching – Cargo Hall is all one level so unless you get very front row it is very difficult to see and stuffy with no air conditioning, whereas upstairs at the OPT there is stadium seating and everyone gets a look!!
• Whinging – endless queues to get into shows and the cucumber sangers weren’t always free flowing
• Wining – free flowing wine bar and plenty of it when you have a massive sponsor
• Inspiration- between what you see on the runway and the attire of the many attendees, there is plenty to get excited about
• Celebration and the after parties – pretty people, good vibes, plenty of food and drinks
What to expect in the shops for Spring/Summer 2010
Perhaps it’s the endless summer weather we seem to be enjoying here in Sydney, but many of the hits from RAFW we could and should be wearing right now. Can’t wait to see the following collections when they hit the shops later this year…
• Kate Sylvester (for her alternate urban country signature),
• Annah Stretton (one dress styled in ten different looks),
• Gary Bigeni (incredible palate and oozing feminine),
• Song by Tang (new age but wearable, look out for it) and
• newcomers Lucette (for bringing back Mad Max)!
Also expect to see lots of light leather, pastels and neutral colours such as peach and cream. Sexy tailored cropped pants for the ladies. Some amazing and very fashion forward swimwear concepts. Plus loads of party frocks in time for Spring racing and the Christmas party circuit.
My 5 looks in 5 days during RAFW:
MONDAY. Black on black on black to start the week chic… Matthew Lawrence bespoke jacket, Danielle Wallace polka dot shirt, skinny jeans from Neuw, G&L bespoke shoes
TUESDAY. 1940’s paperboy mash-up… Matthew Lawrence bespoke 40’s dark blue high waisted baggy pants, thrift-shop braces purchased in Rome (hung low), check shirt from Witcheryman, dusty old flat cap purchased in NYC, Lacoste sneakers
WEDNESDAY. Alternate look… smart Kate Silvester crumple knit shirt in blue/green, G&L shoes, tailored skinny check trousers from Oxford
THURSDAY. Double denim… Dr Denim shirt and Pace jeans from Blu Bird, with Paul Smith olive coloured velvet jacket, G&L shoes
FRIDAY. “Pony boy” was the bespoke outfit day with “bespoke by Ganton” white shirt and signature Matthew Lawrence pony velvet jacket, Neuw jeans, G&L shoes
Don’t forget, coming up August 23-28th, the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival (as distinct from the RAFW industry event) returns to the CBD with free and ticketed public events.
A specially created tent structure is erected in Martin Place with a multi-day schedule of lunchtime and evening shows put on by the major department stores and independent retail outlets plus exhibitions, launches and after parties in and around Sydney.
Plus expect more from me with Autumn/Winter 2011 collections showcasing in Sydney in October later this year.
