LMFF Update - ANT!PODiUM

ANT!PODiUM

Antipodium paid homage to the art, culture and humour of Australian indigenous artists, through a collection of fun Australiana inspired safari wear. Heavy utility safari pants were shown alongside soft silk dresses with indigenous prints, while hiking boots were teamed with bright pink socks. Cute knitted Goanna's slumped sleepily over models shoulders, and the whole crowd "Oooohed" at the sight of a waif thin model being consumed by a giant shawl/scarf. Which I happen to think would also make a really nice picnic rug. There was lots more of the layering trend coming through for winter, and animal prints galore which keep popping up. 

A Cool Window

Photo Property Of Ellinor Forje

The window display over at In Wear, at Biblioteksgatan in Stockholm, reminds me of my friend, photographer Isabel Nilsson. You'll be seeing some of her work here, soon.

LMFF - Romance Was Born

It was a "Nightmare on Wall Street" at Romance Was born this season. Mixing tales of 80's office worker and damsel from a horror movie (Working Girl meets Nightmare on Elm Street is how designers Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett describe it). Obviously this saw many references to iconic 80's dressing, with oversized power shoulders and over the top embellishments on everything from sunglasses to shoes.   

Even though the collection felt a whole lot more wearable then last season, there a whole lot of crazy going on, with all the expected Romance Was Born theatrics and showmanship. The cosmic print pants, as well as the blazer with safety pin covered collar, were standouts. I was lucky enough to see that jacket up close, as one of the LMFF organisers was wearing it at the door. It was incredible, and totally D.I.Y'able. 

Photo Source: Close ups courtesy of Fashionising.com 

LMFF Update - Forever New

Forever New launched their Winter collection under a blistering Melbourne sun yesterday. Regardless I was still excited by the prospect of a black shagpile coat and Olivia Newton John black body suite, and happily would have swapped my mini shorts for some of their devine lace stockings and knitted dresses. The collection was an eclectic mix of ladylike vintage glamour with rock sensibilities. Think lace, fur, animal prints and heavy denim jackets. 

Shoppers will do well to leave a Forever New store empty handed this season, there is something for everyones winter wardrobe. There was an abundance of great winter staples, from Chanel inspired chain bags, boyfriend jackets, to classic knitwear. Ohhh and did I mention ANKLE BOOTIES (probably my favourite accessory of all time). 

I also went into the Forever New store in Flinders street mall to scope out how the ladies on the floor were wearing the trends. Their store has also been transformed into a parisian inspired visual feast. It feels like you are walking into a giant jewelery box, with giant strands of pearls drapped through the windows and huge vintage mirrors on every wall. 

Dunedin Fashion week 2

'I see red, I see red, I see red' - Split Enz

In a city renowned for dressing in the monochromatic colour palette of black, iD Dunedin fashion week opened celebrating the colour red at the Wall Street Mall. Designers, media, organizers, sponsors and guests socialized and mused over glasses of champagne whilst several models, dressed entirely in deep red garments from local designers, posed as mannequins along a red carpet (For a split second I thought they were people lining up for drinks and went to join the line, a mere flash of a thought though, honest…). The queen of colour herself, Zhandra Rhodes, attended and opened the weeks proceedings before carrying on to the ‘Back to the Future’ fashion show.
Spanning the decades from the 50’s through to the 80’s, ‘Back to the Future’ was a retrospective showcase of the Presbyterian Support’s vast collection of vintage clothes and accessories, including an original 70’s Christian Lacroix two piece skirt and jacket. Volunteers (and this blogger) modeled for an enthusiastic crowd, old memories being revived by the sight of both beautiful and fabulously kitsch men’s and women’s garments.

A favourite piece was this black and gold thread headpiece.
Looking to the future, three graduates from the Otago Polytechnic showcased looks from their recent collections including necklaces made from recycled materials such as fishing wire and plastic shopping bags from Kate Butler; ‘Manufractured’, a sustainable collection designed by Mel Child utilising the by-products of today’s consumer culture to artfully adorn her garments; and the glam rock outfits of Anna Holmes-Libbin (as below)
Photos, interviews with local and international entrants, and a review of last nights Emerging Designers show will be up soon so stay tuned. Tonights the night of the iD fashion show at the Dunedin railway station so it's time to slip back into the sky high heels and totter on down for some established local talent.

Text and Photos by Yeshe Dawa (youbetweeni)