:: Spotlight :: Melbourne Fashion Festival 2005

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

The 2005 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (MFF) is into its ninth year and promises to be one of the brightest and biggest yet. It is to be held from March 14-20. Under the guidance and creative direction of new Festival creative director, Gary Chard, Australia's leading and emerging designers will present their Autumn/Winter collections at new venues across the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD).

Federation Square, in particular the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), will set the scene by staging several catwalk events. It will give public access to some outstanding designs. The array of parades, after-parties, exhibitions, the business seminar, and other special events should ensure tremendous attendances and plenty of glitz and glamour. It will be a true celebration of what Australian fashion offers, and there will be the added bonus of overseas involvement, primarily with Swedish Style in Australia looking to make an impact.

Added to the catwalk shows and exhibitions, will be an extensive arts program, including an Andy Warhol exhibition rarely seen in the world. The Business Seminar will again hold interest with industry leaders providing keynote addresses. There will be numerous other displays, documentaries, and events during the week which will eventually lead up to the Moet & Chandon Finale on Saturday, March 19. It is a special way of ending the Festival with funds raised to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF).

Here is a rundown of the main highlights of this year's MFF.

Monday - March 14

6.00pm - Opening Party at ACMI

8.00pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 1 at ACMI
(Collette Dinnigan, Easton Pearson, Karen Walker, Lover, Martin Grant, Michelle Jank, Willow)

Tuesday - March 15

9.30am - Bonds Show (by invitation only)

7.00pm - Studio 1, SABA at BMW Edge, Federation Square

8.30pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 2 (a repeat of Runway 1)

9.15pm - Studio 2, Swedish Style at BMW Edge
(DenimBirds, Efva Attling, Gant, NYS, Maria Westerlind, Mjolk, Nudie Jeans, Pour, Whipping Floyd)

Wednesday - March 16

12.30pm - Country Road show (invitation only)

1.30pm - Studio 3, Chadstone the Fashion Capital at BMW Edge
(Calvin Klein Jeans, Max & Co, Mandarina Duck, and from Myer: Leona Edmiston, Camilla & Marc, Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Alex Perry and TL Wood)

6.30pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 3 at ACMI
(AG, Alexandra Nea, Anna Thomas, Gwendolynne, T.L. Wood, Toni Maticevski, Vixen, Christine)

7.45pm - Studio 4, Calvin Klein Underwear at BMW Edge

9.00pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 4 at ACMI
(Alannah Hill)

9.30pm - Installation 2, Calvin Klein Jeans at Euroluce Gallery

Thursday, March 17

12.30pm - Pacific Brands Show at the Forum Theatre

1.00pm - Studio 5, Pierucci at BMW Edge

6.30pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 5 at ACMI
(Belinda Fairbanks, Lucy Hinckfuss, Lulatsch, Nude Rabbit, Sisnme, Tribu, White Suede, Zayt)

7.45pm - Studio 7 - Toorak Traders' Association at BMW Edge
(Alberto Piazza, Cose Plus, Ipanema, Issey Miyake, Loula Shoes, Mandarina Duck, Paul Smith, Pecari Leatherwear, Saks, Versace Classic, Zapa Paris)

9.00pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 6 at ACMI
(Ae’lkemi, Ammo, Autonomy, M.L.Denim, Sevn, Sü)

9.30pm - Installation 3, Breathless at Euroluce Gallery

Friday, March 18

6.00pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 7 at ACMI
(Nicola Finetti, Paablo Nevada,Third Millennium, Wayne Cooper Cactus Jam, Christensen Copenhagen, Alberto Piazza)

8.30pm - L'Oreal Paris Runway 8 at ACMI
(Arabella Ramsay, BARE by Rebecca Davies, Camilla & Marc, c. people, dd by megan salmon, Leona Edmiston, Zimmermann)

9.30pm - Installation 4, Punk Princess Jenny Bannister at Euroluce Gallery

Saturday, March 19

12.30pm - Dolly Parade at Grattan Gardens, Prahran
(includes Grosby, Levis, Candy, Supre, Dolly Sleepwear, Bonds and Girl Express)

3.00pm - Cosmopolitan Parade at Grattan Gardens, Prahran
(includes Levis, Supre, Myer Miss Shop, and Billabong)

This final event is Free.

Tickets for the Runway shows, Studio and Installations are available through Ticketmaster7