The 10 Best Shows Of Australian Fashion Week

 

It lasts for five days in a year but it goes by quicker than a trend. And, as most fashionistas will tell you, it’s anticipated for the other 359 days of the calendar.

The runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2017 presented a glorious display of resort wear collections by Australia’s most coveted designers, along with a few staples from a few up-and-comers. Here are 10 of the best of the best runway presentations hot off of the heels of fashion week that will fill the void, and our wardrobes, for the year to come.

Dion Lee Conquers the Sails

It was only a few years ago when Australian designer Dion Lee presented his first collection at Sydney’s famed Opera House. As such, it was fitting to see him return to his inaugural turf, for the fourth time, in the role of the honoured Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Presents designer.

Lee unveiled a strikingly structured — at times asymmetrical and flowing — decadently pop-coloured collection that included a men’s capsule - a first for the designer.

“Menswear is always something that I’ve drawn inspiration from and many of our women’s shapes have referenced men’s tailoring so it felt like a natural progression,” he says.

Michael Lo Sordo & Lady in Red

Inspired by artist Larry Bell’s installation, Pacific Red ll, designer Michael Lo Sordo sent his models through a pink perspex maze to present his Resort 17/18 collection, "Acceidential Secrétaire". The set featured strikingly bold reds, blacks, and pop pinks, high shine, and exposed hip bones.

“The label, in recent seasons, has expanded into the international market and shown in Paris each season,” Lo Sordo says. “This has changed the way I feel and see the customer. She is now global, she’s seeing world, she is growing.”

Thomas Puttick Gives a Nod to Diversity

Thomas Puttick put up a delicate collection inspired by the work of artist Henning Von Gierke. What really stood out was the decision to opt for both models and non-models (read: politicos), from Labor MP Anne Aly, to UNHCR Ambassador Aminata Conteh-Biger.

“Our muses were a diverse range of empowering, intelligent and compassionate women,” Puttick says. “I am so glad that a wider audience was able to have an empowering representation within fashion.”

A Whole Lot of Sass & Bide

Heavyweight Australian designers, Sass & Bide  shipped in a custom installation of 1000-metre square "papier peu de dragon" fibre-glass paper from France. It was created inside the 130m square runway space to echo the dreamy architecture of Casa Batllo.

Bianca Spender's Freedom

The very free-flowing collection featured lilac trench coats, prince of wales jackets with voluminous sleeves. “It is this juxtaposition of ideas that compels me,” Spender says. “There is an unpredictability, it is not androgynous and masculine...it is my version of modern femininity.”

Ten Pieces at Icebergs

Back to basics for the alluring Ten Pieces, helmed by Maurice Terzini and partner, Lucy Hinkfuss. Against the back drop of Iceberg’s at Bondi Beach, the area in which the brand was born, the duo presented a raw collection of separates, black and terracotta hoodies, Ugg boots, street-style dropped crotches…

Poolside with Garrett Neff

Model and design rockstar Garrett Neff, opted for the serene back drop of the Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool in Sydney to showcase his latest Chesapeake Bay-inspired collection - Katama Resort 18.

Featuring nostalgic hints of boy scout badges, colourful trunks, rugby striped knitwear, the set presented like a Kodak roll of memories from Neff’s summers past.

“It’s about developing and reinforcing a strong signature that sets our clothes apart, that our customers can feel comfortable in, and come back for more, season after season,” Neff says.

Sustainably Sensational, Yousef Akbar

The colorful ode to sustainability that was designer Yousef Akbar’s resort wear collection was both magically surreal and at times confronting.

Akbar teamed with community development organization, The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA), for the occasion. AMSA create safe spaces, or ‘sheds’ for men in emotional need which is why the centre of his runway featured a make-shift shed, with four openings, through which the models ascended.

“I wanted to make sure that … my label needed to stand for something good,” Akbar says. “No exploitation of people, no harm to the environment. I wanted to create something where the value extends beyond the clothes.”

Frenchy Chic at Bec & Bridge

Preppy, polished, and very cheeky, the latest Matisse-inspired collection from Bec & Bridge was unveiled at the David Jones store in Sydney.

Preppy, polished, and very cheeky, the latest Matisse-inspired collection from Bec & Bridge was unveiled at the David Jones store in Sydney.

“We were drawn to his use of color, innovative use of light and layering,” says design duo Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston.

The collection embodied the Bec & Bridge girl who oozes “a cool girl French attitude” embodied in bold colour, dramatic ruffles and sculptural detailing. “She has a sense youthfulness and isn’t afraid to break the rules and have fun,” they said.

Grande Finale with Romance Was Born

With disco blaring in the background, Australian designers Romance Was Born, pushed theatricality and gimmicky to a new level for a spectacular finale to Australian Fashion Week.

Ascending in a rainbow of colorful prints and fabrics, unicorn horns, big hair and glitter, models touted life-affirming slogans scrawled on their (at times) near naked bodies.

“We don’t set out with theatrics as a conscious decision,” says design duo Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett. “It just seems to be the natural progression for us, an extension of our clothes and ideas.”