MBFWA Trending: The Tropics

Picture Source: Lucas Dawson for http://www.vogue.com.au/ 

Colourful flora and fauna prints were abundant at Australian Fashion Week as designers looked to tropical islands for inspiration.

2014/15 summer's forecast looks bright and sunny thanks to We Are Handsome, Jayson Brunsdon and Suboo. All three showcased a collection either saturated with colour or exploding with island designs.

We Are Handsome brought the fun and energy into Fashion Week, showing their collection at the Paddington Reservoir Gardens. The lush ferns and plants around the makeshift runway complimented the tropical vibe as models strutted out in leafy, animal and oceanic prints. Sticking closely to their aesthetic of constructing pieces that 'capture the spirit and emotion of summer', We Are Handsome took no reserves as they sent out a model who held a live snake. Designers Jeremy and Katinka Somers seemed to be suggesting a tropical getaway is appropriate come the warmer weather.

Jayson Brunsdon's collection was inspired by the rich Brazilian culture, food and people in Rio De Janeiro. Titled 'RIO' it celebrated a modern girl who isn't afraid to walk out the door dressed in cobalt feathers or iridescent sequins. Metallic and reflective materials dominated the collection as models sashayed down the runway in a vision of sexy femininity and funk.
Brunsdon said: "The vibrant Carioca culture clash is infectious," where it seemed the Brunsdon girl is the life of the summer parties.

Suboo placed the focus on resortwear that's both easy to style and easy to pack. It had the essential ingredients for a chic summer holiday; silky maxi dresses and printed swimwear that took you on a trip down LA with those iconic palm trees. The Suboo girl is relaxed and fuss free during the day but can easily pop on a pair of heels and dance the night away.

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MBFWA 2014 Street Style

All photos belong to Primped and Primed 

I love myself some sneaky candids which is why the people in half these photos were not even posing for me. Above are street style snaps from day 3 showing an eclectic mix of styles seen at MBFWA. I even managed to grab a shot of supermodel Shanina Shaik amongst the paparazzi frenzy that surrounded her.

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MBFWA Cameo S/S 2014/15

All photos belong to Primped and Primed 

Dozens of spotlights beaming down on the runway making a path of light was a clear sign of what was to come.

The bright white beams were clean, minimal and made a powerful wake up call to the packed room of industry peeps. So too was the collection.

Cameo's debut at Australian Fashion Week was everything I expected from one of my favourite Aussie brands. I've noticed a trend with their collections; a sort of formula made up of
a) a unique print (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
b) their signature shapes.

Catering to the stylish youth (note stylish not sluttish), this Spring Summer 2014/15 collection sticks closely to their DNA. I saw flounce peplum shapes and A-Line skirts printed with an inky black and white floral. Other highlights were off-the-shoulder bustiers and frocks that could easily be transformed from day to night. But what makes Cameo special, in my opinion, are the the fine details. This time I was intrigued by the lacework that was appliquéd onto a button-up shirt or sewn into a sporty bomber.

A special mention must be made to some more colourful pieces which broke their overall monochromatic colour palette. Not sure about you but as a child I was obsessed with those colouring pencils that had the rainbow and beyond swirled into a single lead (THIS). I say this because I don't have a photo of such an awesome print - you'll just have to settle for my elaborate description.

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OUTFIT POST (MBFWA): Perspex Mint

Photos by: Derek Cheung (https://www.facebook.com/drkimaging/) 

Kiki (https://www.facebook.com/curatedbyk/) 

Top: c/o Oasap ... Skirt: Miss Unkon ... Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 

Clutch: Bardot ... Watch: Swatch & Citizen 

It is now one month after the hustle and bustle that was Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. It was a week filled with the clip-clopping of heels, incessant fashion chatter and whole hordes of people more stylish than you.

Overwhelmed on the first day like a little year 7, I was desperately scanning all the cliques (buyers from The Iconic, Harper's Bazaar team, the renowned bloggers) for anyone I knew. Naturally, I knew no one. However as the week went on, numerous introductions were made, business cards exchanged and faces placed to a URL. It hit me that although I was an 'independent fashion blogger', in this industry it's quite impossible to be alone. 

Fashion week is a bit like high school. Except instead of teachers telling you what to do, it's the photographers telling you how to pose. Roll call is in the form of an industry registration desk complete with a pass to hook around your neck (and ruin the whole cohesion of your carefully planned outfit). Likewise you are assigned a name, a grouping and consequently defined by a bar code.

What surprised me was the energy! This exhilarating, intimidating, claustrophobic (and all the synonyms in between) vibe which everybody fed off, was definitely something I have never experienced before. Not even those crammed peak hour trains or the adrenaline rush from any aerial camp activity could have prepared me for this. Everyone was so alive and even if you were living off 4 hours sleep and 45 espresso shots, you sure didn't let anyone see that. 

Such is the irony because here lies my real 'job'. To sit at 9pm at night in my pj's and type. It's time to take off those deadly heels and attend to my blisters ... 

Shop 

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(MBFWA) Street Style

Picture Source 

Derek Cheung (https://www.facebook.com/drkimaging/)

The runways are always half the fun at fashion week! Here are some of the weird and wacky to insanely stylish ensembles seen on the grounds of Carriageworks at this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

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GIVEAWAY: MBFWA Gypsea

To celebrate my first media/industry approval into Australian Fashion Week and the debut success of Gypsea at MBFWA, I'm collaborating with them to bring you all a GIVEAWAY!

The winner will receive this stunning Peacock One Piece (Size 10) courtesy of Gypsea (pictured above)

Rules:

1. Follow on GFC or Bloglovin (HERE)

2. Like my Facebook page (HERE) 

3. Like Gypsea's Facebook page (HERE) 

4. Comment below 

after you have done so with your name & email address.

If you're already following me/Gypsea on those networks, just comment and you'll be automatically eligible. 

Giveaway lasts for 3 weeks (26th April - 17 May) Open to international participants. Winner selected at random. Winner will be announced in a blog post on Saturday 18th May and contacted through email. 

NOW CLOSED! 

(MBFWA) Gypsea S/S 2013/14

There is no doubt that printed swimwear will be all the rage next summer. Albeit,
swimwear which looks its had a photograph printed straight on popularised by Blackmilk and We Are Handsome have been around for a while. Now the debut success of Gypsea at MBFWA, a Western Australian label, which 'embodies the immense natural beauty in nature' reassures all of us that this hype is not dying down.

Gypsea showcased such a variety that would surely adapt to many facets of personal style.The most nature loving adventurer would enjoy the leafy greens or exotic birds. Girls with slightly quirkier styles can gravitate towards the funky feline piece. A standout piece would have to be that caged sleeve two piece featuring a unique Red Admiral Butterfly wing print (excuse my ignorance but I thought it was a reptile print). Such a creative vision made possible by designer Emma Jones and surf photographer Scott Bauer who I was lucky enough to have interviewed.

1. How did your brand Gypsea start? Was there always this passion to design swimwear?

I've worked as a surfing photographer for 15 years where I had the idea of doing something very different and challenging with my photography work. Swimwear seemed like a cool project to sink my energy into. I met Emma in Hawaii a few years previous through her husband Mikala, she told me about work as a designer and swimwear manufacturer. It wasn't till a few years later I asked her about printing image onto swimwear, she was really intrigued about the idea. We did some sampling and we were both really excited with the results, she then asked if I wanted to be business partners and the rest is history.

2. Tell us about your design aesthetic. 

Our aim is to create swimwear that flatters the female form. Effectively the human body becomes the canvas for the images so it's important the image flows well with the shape of the body. We work in reverse with design, we pick the images then we find the patterns that work well with it. One Pieces are always great to work with as they are such a great canvas. 

3. One very important feature of your swimwear are the gorgeous prints. Are they photographed by yourself?

In the latest collection I have photographed some of the prints, we also have some amazing photographers we are collaborating with, Alex Hyde and Alex Kearns. I do all the graphic work with the label, Emma works on all the pattern design and manufacturing.

4. Describe fashion week in 3 words. 

Exciting, prestigious, inspiring

5. What is one piece of advice you would give to any budding designer trying to break into the industry?

Always follow your dreams and be prepared for a lot of hard work

6. I've noticed you're from WA Australia, where is one place you would recommend for anyone wanting to travel there? 

I live in Dunsborough in the South West, I recommend the Dunsborough, Margaret River region. There's so much to see and do, from surfing, hiking, climbing or just taking it easy eating good food and visiting amazing wineries, its basically got it all.

Picture Source: 

1st my own

rest http://www.fashionising.com/

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TRENDING (MBFWA): Sheer

Now that Australian Fashion Week has officially come to an end, it's safe to say that the next 2013/14 summer trends are pretty much set. The sheer look was seen repeatedly in many collections which took its form from sheer panelling to drapery to languid and organic blouses. See: Alice McCall, Michael Lo Sordo, Karla Spectic, Staple the Label, Bec & Bridge etc
I'm not exactly sure what makes see-through pee-a-boo materials and shapes so alluring; maybe it's the fact that you're subtly showing skin without being vulgar or maybe it's because sheer fabrics are so incredibly light and full of movement. I have basically one rule of thumb ... if something moulds to your every move, it's a no-brainer-must-buy piece.

Will you be wearing this trend for the upcoming S/S 2013/14?

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(MBFWA) New Generation

Take note because these are the new kids on the block! The New Generation runway in Day 5 of Fashion Week Australia showcased a mixture of young emerging designers. Most of them are recent graduates from Whitehouse, TAFE or other fashion colleges and I was just stunned by their vision and talent. There were a few techniques and silhouettes seen repeatedly so in order to avoid a massive post, I will break down their collections by trends.

Tailoring 

A major trend seen not only in this show but in fashion week altogether. Sharp suits were seen paired with provocative bralettes and there was an emphasis on strong shoulders. More masculine and boxy shapes has also made a return to the runway which should see itself translated into many summer 2013/14 wardrobes. This was mainly focused in Jamie Ashkar whose collection featured clean geometry and textures and also Zhivago who encompassed a robust and tailored aesthetic.


Colour & Prints

Keeping with Desert Designs aesthetic inspired by Indigenous art, their prints were symbolic on one hand but on the other; contemporary and very funky due to the bright colours. This is a label that is much needed in the fashion industry since it reflects the rich culture of Australia before white settlement.
Young graduates Natalie Foran and Sarah Lim from Natalie & Sarah presented a youthful collection which saw a toughened perspective on the 'mod' era. Neon hues of acid yellow combined with sheer materials and sharp silhouettes made this a stand out collection that would really appeal to the young and stylish.


Femininity 

A soft approach to femininity was prevalent overall. Tristan Melle presented a mixture of feathers and silk organza ruffles along with a subdued colour palette of lemon and camel.Whereas Faddoul experimented with another aspect of softness by designing a romantic collection of pastels and florals. The Letter Q unveiled a soft gothic angle taking inspiration from gothic architecture and structure. I loved the final black gown with the layers upon layers of tulle.

Picture Source:

 Mixture of my own &

 http://www.fashionising.com/ 

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