:: Spotlight :: Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2005

By: Carmine Pascuzzi / Celia Purdey - pictures by Matthew Deller and Jess Lo

One of Melbourne’s special yearly events is the Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. Occurring during the week September 5-11, 2005, it was a chance for Australia’s young fashion designers, in particular, to showcase what’s around the corner for the coming spring/summer. The feature of the week was the hundreds of outfits, champagne, exhibitions, workshops, champagne, parades, multi-cultural flavours, and more champagne. A good time was had by all and it was notable in the use of the historic Melbourne Town Hall for the official parades, the first time ever the iconic structure staged such an event.

Our coverage focused on these official nightly parades that were labelled under a different theme for each of the four nights: Tuesday September 6 - City Slick (cutting edge fashion), September 7 - Jet Set (racy resort/swim wear), September 8 - Lady Luck (racewear and millinery), and September 9 - The New Order (emerging young designers).

It was an exciting time for those displaying their items for the first time. It’s a big occasion and one of the significant aspects of having Fashion Weeks in Australia is to breathe some new life into the collections through the advent of creative and innovative people in their craft.

OPENING NIGHT PICTURES - Matthew Deller

Jessica Hart - the Face of MMSFW	designer Roger Grinstead and friend

designer Wayne Cooper and TV personality Andi Lew	heads of modelling agencies - Greg (Giant), Matthew (Chadwicks) & Stephen (FRM)

FRM's Stephen Bucknall & Natalia	party guests

CITY SLICK
September 6, 2005

Melbourne’s urban-cool style came to life on Tuesday at the City Slick parade at the Melbourne Town Hall.
Bettina Liano opened the show with her usual sexy style, showing bright clothes in sheer and fluid fabrics. Shorts and pedal pushers featured, hinting a trend for summer.

Wayne Cooper ushered in elegance and the ascension of the dress. Embellished kaftans stood alongside elegant LBDs all offset by chunky jewellery from Dinosaur Designs.

Operatic music heralded the arrival of Bare by Rebecca Davies’ sumptuous gowns. Long dresses sparkled with sequins and an exotic theme crept in with a show-stealing kaftan.

Zimmerman sent Lolitas down the catwalk in dolly dresses, oversized accessories and long socks. Cute button-up dresses and berets completed the look, which was in a rainbow of bright blues, greens and pinks.

The dress theme continued from Morrissey, whose sexy style was stamped all over halter-neck dresses and featured detailing such as prints, trims and ties.

Roy’s collection was definitely not for shy girls as hip streetwear hit the catwalk. Denim featured in various colours, shades and washes – and very tight and short.

Alannah Hill didn’t disappoint. Her pretty frocks and delicate pieces ending the evening on a high. Girly and glamorous, her knee-length pencil skirts, layered camisoles, cardigans and sequined capelets shouted femininity.

Pictures by Matthew Deller

Alannah Hill

Bare by Rebecca Davies

Bettina Liano

Morrissey

Roy

Wayne Cooper

Zimmermann

JET SET
September 7, 2005

The second of the prime themes for the week, entitled, Jet Set, saw some racy colours and showed off what we can expect over the holiday season. The graphics and music were well prepared as the models started to strut down the catwalk.

Flamingo Sands has been a dynamic label over the past two years and the range of sexy swimwear looked ideal for wanting to lounge around at poolside. Floral pieces and yellows and oranges surrounded the interesting dress designs of Roger Grinstead. Shag was very eye-catching in the chic, feminine shapes on offer. Large sunglasses were noticeable and the 70s inspired bikinis.

Belinda Fairbanks displayed her undoubted talent with very wearable loose-wearing tops and long, stylish dresses. Nicola Finetti didn’t show off much of his new range, but those he did were subtle and classy, containing frills and sequins. Alice McCall is another talented creator of fashion, who dares to be a little different. Her designs exposed a good deal of skin and the black/white combination was elegant at times. This was an opportunity for the collections to be more exotic in keeping with the Jet Set look.

Pictures by Matthew Deller

Alison McCall

Alison McCall	Belinda Fairbanks

Belinda Fairbanks

Flamingo Sands

Flamingo Sands	Nicola Finetti

Nicola Finetti

Flux

Prime

Roger Grinstead

Roger Grinstead	Shag

Shag

LADY LUCK
September 8, 2005

Plenty of inspiration for the Spring Racing Carnival was found at the eclectic Lady Luck parade.

Vixen showed a variety of looks – from boho hippy to gothic. Clothes were fluid, falling in drapes and accessorised with long feathered necklaces and other pieces from Moya Delaney.

Assin’s slouchy pants, baby-doll dresses and cotton cropped jackets were merged with innovative hats fashioned from rope.

Gwendolynne’s wispy and pretty designs were in a palette of creams, whites and gold. Embellished with sequins and lace it was a collection full of definite carnival-contenders, especially the sequined capelet.

Anna Thomas showed more classic racewear, with linen suits teamed with straw hats. Structure was pared down with hippie-print flowing skirts, cardigans and delicate lace finishes.

Melissa Jackson gave an amusing snapshot of the Carnival with typical after-race-wear parading down the catwalk, beer in hand and all. The mens’ shirts featured large cuffs and floral detailing, and the girls’ charming dresses came in polka dots and primary colours.

Husk showcased its eclectic look with gorgeous men’s and women’s wear accessorised with beads and more beads. Colour, prints and cowboy boots were in vogue.

Christine’s accessories were the features of her parade, with big hats and divine bags. The racewear was varied, with the kaftans even making an appearance.

AG heralded a funky season for men at the races. Boys are encouraged to take risks with pinstripes, paisley and a fitted pant.

Pantaloons made a comeback at TL Wood, with a romantic collection that also included military jackets, satin shorts in a fresh array of creams and white.

Pictures by Jess Lo

AG Arthur Galan

AG Arthur Galan

Assin

Assin

Anna Thomas

Christine

Christine	Husk

Husk

Gwendolynne

Gwendolynne

Melissa Jackson

TL Wood

TL Wood	Vixen

Vixen

NEW ORDER
September 9, 2005

Keen observers of Australian fashion always look forward to see what the less-profiled, up-and-coming designers can produce. We’ve had a taste of some of the designers previously, and the ranges on show continue to inspire and display much flair.

Ess Hoshika had previously impressed at the Melbourne Fashion Festival last year and their pieces were tied to helium-filled balloons. The eclectic nature of the range included multi-collared necklines and multi-pocketed vests – quite original to say the least.

Tomczak was very stylish even though the clothes looked patched up on occasions. It was very creative and abstract but they showed boldness.

Lorena Laing doesn’t go that far. She pays attention to detail and occasionally ventured into something abnormal, mostly covering an older feel of crocheted and lace pieces. She continues to impress.

Piras displayed the growing reputation gained from the last twelve months, with mini dresses, and flair in the use of yellows and purples in creating a bright appearance. Melissa (Piras) also made good use of large beads. Then there was Brent Wilson and his menswear designs that were generally smart and casual for the summer season. Lucy Hinckfuss has made great strides and she created sexy, feminine pieces to keep with her very feminine personal characteristics. There were polka dots and oriental flavours.

It produced an excellent final night for the Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and demonstrated the potential in the Australian fashion design scene. The creative force and general artistry was well worth witnessing. Above all, despite the extra reign given to the younger designers to “stage a show”, the spirit in the designs doesn’t take away the fact that the clothes are highly wearable. Therefore, watch for “The New Order” as they sit poised for greater things.

Pictures by Jess Lo

Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson	Ess Hoshika

Ess Hoshika

Ess Hoshika

Lorena Laing

Lorena Laing

Lucy Hinckfuss

Lucy Hinckfuss

Lucy Hinckfuss	Mayke

Mayke

Out with Demons

Piras

Piras

Tomczak

Behind-the-Scenes pictures by Matthew Deller

Wayne Cooper and Peter Morrissey	Roy and Peter Morrissey

Roger Grinstead and Belinda Fairbanks	Belinda with Flamingo Sands designers Jane Hages and Nicky Rowsell