VAMFF 2015; Independence Runway show - OYSTER

Well, where do I begin? This show was full of Australian talented fashion masterminds that have sprung up across all over our Australian borders but as well internationally. I was astonished by the whole show to finish up VAMFF - it was definitely a high note for me personally!

Here is how my night  started

I began the night feeling inspired and excited, as I was honoured to wear a student piece by Debbie Yann, a 4th year student studying fashion design at RMIT.

Debbie experimented with raw/animalistic materials being tamed as a result this beautiful jacket was created I flaunted her spectacular creation throughout the night. Over 100 hours of hand-sewed work was put into the jacket to be created! Student feature will be soon all about Debbie so stay tuned!

Kirsty Irwin and I (creator/designer of KIRSTY IRWIN label & JAGGAR the label) Hung out for a little and talked all things fashion. I interviewed Kirsty not so long ago online so it was good to meet in person!

I was delighted to sit next to Emily Highfield at the event. It was good catching up with her; I have always admired her, as she is a talented woman in the fashion industry and an incredible fashion blogger. Emily has just recently launched her new brand HUNTR, be sure to check it out.

The show commenced with last year's winners Tiffany & Co National Designer Award -

STRATEAS.CARLUCCI

Showcasing detailed leather pieces and grunge edge collection.

Rocking leather to constructed tailored pieces. It was edgy-cool and dark, which i loved about the collection. The detailing on the leather jackets and vests were statement silver zippers which shows quality!

Right after STRATEAS.CARLUCCI, vocalist Chela came out on the runway to perform. And what a performance it was! She sang her song "Handful of Gold" with so much energy. She then danced on the runway with two back up dancers. I can't really explain in words so here's a little snip of her performance below. It really has left me in the best mood since.

https://vimeo.com/123061538

After being musically satisfied seeing Chela's performance. The runway commenced with the following designers Celeste Tesoriero, Elissa McGowan, Salasai, Emma Mulholland, Dress up and Pageant. Pageant won this years winners of Tiffany & Co National Designer Award.

Dress Up 

Showing us a couple of pointers on how to dress like a Parisian With the use of darker colours and textures using tailored garments -  creating the perfect French style.

Emma Mulholland

Emma Mulholland showcased a beautiful vibrant colourful collection. Featuring embellished statement pieces - detailed designs with sequinned Gullahs!

Celeste Tesoriero 

Keeping in Australian theme Celeste Tesoriero perfected along with having the models parade the runway accessorised with the most sweetest koalas backpacks.

Elissa McGowan

Graceful and stylish Elissa McGowan collection ranged elegantly from water coloured  printed silks to classic feminine silhouettes!

Salasai

Keeping with all things dark with tailored pieces with smart and tailored pieces along with nostalgic printed shirts to skirts.

Pageant

This years winners Tiffany & Co National Designer Award. Pageant's collection was fresh, glossy and tasteful. Its quintessential silhouettes was nothing less then excepted biker babe's came to mind!

The finale showcased all the designers with the musical track "Freedom" by George Michael as each model paired off-hand in hand down the runway.

We left the Oyster show not only impressed by the talent we have in Australia but with a sense of joy from the night that came well into the week.

Over and out… my foxes!

Big thank to AMPR xx

Photography credit: Lucas Dawson

Outfit Edit:

Wearing Debbie Yann's feather jacket 

Dean & Nadine Aztec drops earrings 

Wild.Horses black jumper

Sportsgirl - wide leg trousers Big thank you to Lisa from Dean & Nadine & Debbie Yann 

VAMFF 2015: StageLabel RUNWAY 2015

VAMFF kicked off in style this week with the highly anticipated StageLabel cultural runway show 2015, in which designers celebrated their individual style and made their unique ‘fashion fingerprint’ in the industry. Held at the beautiful waterfront docklands the event showcased eight incredibly individual and talented emerging designers from across the globe.

The spacious warehouse swiftly began to thicken up with fashion savvy associates, sipping on flutes of champagne and nibbling on appetisers; the room seething with anticipation for the upcoming showcase. Each designer revealed four or more of their designs, ranging from classic clean silhouettes to fun and gregarious garments.  Here are my fashion choices of the night.

Millicent Elizabeth

Tiffany's collection is so versatile that you can wear from work to evening. Her designs are clean cut and exquisitely classic. Such elegant pieces for any occasion you are sure to be a showstopper. On the night I wore the Helix collar wool crepe top & Double Helix wool crepe skirt with silk lining. As well you can read our interview here &Purchase here

Ash MayBe 

Ashleigh's plays with quirky digital and idiosyncratic prints, the collection is a colourful colour palette. I loved this fun piece from her range, the majorca dress has a lot of personality to it.  Purchase here

Billy & Boo 

Belinda is the creator of Billy & Boo. Her collection focuses on classic and contemporary designs, using different textures and fabrics. This piece below is sophisticated and great for any special occasion out.

The pola cutout top and the junki body con skirt

Model: Letitia Sindt Purchase here

Braddon Tailors

Braddon Tailors suits are tailor-made to perfection. Philip Morgan creates custom-made master pieces that will fit your body like a glove.

The blue suit

 Purchase here 

Delightful Darling

Hayleah’s garments are a celebration of fairy tales. Her creations are marvellously unique wholly inspired and based upon fairytale books. This collection was inspired by “The Folk of the Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton. My pick is the pixie trousers they're very unique statement piece. Read our interview here

Purchase here 

Lola and Lamar 

Lola and Lamar are bold and daring brand. Their individual pieces are infleunced by the iconic1980's and 90's. Those of the brave hearted and who are not scared to show a little skin.

The work it suit

Purchase here 

Love by Nathaly

Nathaly focuses on sustainable special occasion wear. She has created pieces for special occasion that you can  wear  for more than just a special occasion. This piece was definitely a stand out piece on the night.

Reversible lace-up dress

 Purchase here 

Thea & Seera

Two sisters from Brunei Darussalam 

The fabrics they used in their collection were rich and vibrant. The lily dress not only beautifully made in this royal purple colour which I love, but the detail beading on the tenunan panelling across the chest.

Purchase here 

Special thanks to

Rohit- StageLabel Dermie- Defiant Arts Deakin film crew- Reilly, Benjamin, Luke, Serena and Reza Tiffany- Millicent Elizabeth

 xxx

VAMFF 2015 Cultural Program Runway: StageLabel Runway show

Attention to all Aspiring designers

Are YOU and aspiring designer? Well, this competition is just the one for you! This an opportunity that is not to be missed!

StageLabel has created a competition for aspiring designers.

StageLabel will be giving an opportunity for 3 lucky designers to win a chance to be featured on StageLabel’s VAMFF 2015 Cultural Program runway showcase in February 2015. The event will feature a number of talented designers from across the country with the winners having all expenses for their showcase covered with StageLabel providing hair and makeup and models free of charge and will include fast tracking of garments to StageLabel Projects and the opportunity for a one-on-one strategy session with the StageLabel CEO.

Read about it below

Enter now

https://stagelabel.com/vamff

StageLabel has launched a competition for aspiring designers to turn their fashion dreams into a reality, and you have the chance to select which designers will be part of the showcase!

StageLabel are excited to announce the competition for aspiring designers, which will feature the winning designers garments on the runway at the StageLabel Interactive Runway as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival 2015 Cultural Program.

The runway event will feature talented designers from across the country, and three lucky winners will receive an all expenses paid showcase at the festival, including hair, make-up and models. The major prize will also feature a fast tracking of garments to StageLabel projects, and a one-on-one strategy session with StageLabel CEO Rohit Bhargava to help designers grow their brand.

Entry to the competition is via the StageLabel website (https://stagelabel.com/vamff ), where members of the public can vote on entry submissions. Voters will find a fashion editorial shot representing each designer’s label, and winners will be selected based on the number of votes as well as input from the StageLabel team.

For your chance to register votes on design entries simply visit https://stagelabel.com/vamff and check out the submissions. Follow the prompts and have your say on who makes it onto the runway at VAMFF 2015.

The competition presents a wonderful opportunity for up and coming designers to be involved in a national event, and have the chance to see their designs brought to life. This competition allows emerging brands to gain greater exposure and clientele, with the event providing the industry professionals and passionate fashionistas in attendance early access to “shop the runway” on the night.

Competition winners will be announced in the final week of January 2015. The runway will take place at the Showtime Events Centre on Friday, 27th September as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival 2015 Cultural Program.

Aspiring designers are encouraged to apply, and early bird tickets to the event are now on sale via www.eventbrite.com

Voting is open now.

First Kiss Event 2014

There's a quote from 'A Walk To Remember' that goes -“It wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips touched, I knew the memory would last forever.”

Melbourne, Australia fashion designer Danielle Fosberry hosted “First Kiss”. Danielle explained to me before the night about what was installed for all and had given me this quote on what the night was inspired by.

Showcasing 15 designers at Melbourne renowned nightclub Room 680.

It was such an extraordinary and magical event to finish off the year. Unlike any other fashion event I have ever attended. This event was innovative and a creative one that will definitely be a memorable one to myself and all that attended.

Upon arrival anticipation and excitement was all around. Once entered the venue lights were dim and I had noticed roses hanging down around the bar, delicately wrapped around fairy lights. As I glanced around the area

 There were different sets designs and props around, ready for each local designer to showcase their collection. The club was transformed into a studio of art.

Melbourne’s renowned make up artist Jessica Bell was one of the make up artist for the event. Creating make up looks back to back. I was able to get a sneaky peak to see her backstage! Which was great to see her style and techniques in action.

The event showcased 15 different local designers. Ranging from students to graduates from various fashion schools in Melbourne. From short captivating performances and pop up installations that stimulated all senses through audio, visual and emotion.

Each designer had different unique pop-up show installations that expressed each designer’s concept. Every performance was so different and unique in everyway. Each collection was presented in a timely order. One would finish and another would start there was never a dull moment at this event.

     I felt different emotions and mesmerized by the performance art pieces that were on display that night. All eyes were on each performance, as you were not able to take your eyes off the garments throughout the show.

As I wrapped up for the night, walking outside in the brisk night warm air. The event left an everlasting impact on me not only creativity inspired but memorable, as I reminisced about it during the night just like my first kiss…..

SHOWCASING DESIGNERS

Danielle Fosberry, Ruskin Black, Jacinta Raquel, Morgan Jia, Natasha I'Anson, Evaleen Motoska, Debbie Yann, Yang TC Casey Demko, Nathaly Munoz, Laura Brennan,Miranda Dickinson, Adriana Maiolo, Michelle Rand and Emma Zammit

I interview some of the designers that contributed in the event .Check them out, as they express their idea concepts and how they went about their collection.

DANIELLE FOSBERRY

How did you all come up with the idea and concept for this event? 

We wanted to create a very fun, performative and interactive fashion event. As most of the ideas and concepts become lost when presented on a runway.

We wanted to give local talents around Melbourne the chance to collaborate on an event, as we feel that the possibilities are endless through collaborations, as everyone has such amazing ideas.

It's not everyday that you find an organization or venue that is willing to help support and promote local talents. Room680 has put their complete faith in everyone involved and has encouraged everyone to be as creative as they would like.

What year are you currently in at RMIT?

 I have just completed my 3rd year of the RMIT's Bachelor of Design (Fashion) Honours and will be entering my final year as of March.

I have previously graduated from the RMIT Diploma of Advanced Fashion Design and Technology (as mentioned above) at the Brunswick campus, then transferred over to the Honours Degree.

With your collection, how long did it take you to create?

My collection consists of various pieces that I have created over my last 2 years of the RMIT City degree. Over the past few weeks, I then created various add-on garments to create entire looks.

 Did you have a theme for the collection you presented at the event? 

I personally did not have a theme in mind for my collection, as my style is constantly changing.

I guess you could say that this collection is quite tailored, structured and slightly dark. It seems to be the style of clothing I have been attracted to lately. However, most of my work tends to consist of leather and structured silhouettes. photo

What are your future goals and dreams for the fashion industry?

I would ideally love to intern overseas for a large international label, possibly then work for them for a couple of years and then eventually start my own label. Fingers crossed!

Advice for anyone who is currently studying fashion?

Studying fashion requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You're not 'just sewing' or 'just drawing pretty pictures' which is the opinions I often hear. If you love it and enjoy it, then hang in there as there will obviously be some tough moments, but it's definitely worthwhile.

Personally I have used uni as an advantage to experiment with my creativity, innovation and ideas. It's a period where I can be as crazy as I'd like, without worrying about hitting sales targets and a large consumer base, which is expected once you enter the industry

JACINTA RAQUEL

I am currently studying Bachelor of Fashion Design (Honours) at RMIT University, in the city campus. I have just completed my 3rd year and will be working on my final graduate collection next year in 2015.

What was your theme for your collection? How did you come up with the idea to use the materials you used and why?          

My theme was all about the fascinating changes in nature- emphasizing the journey from caterpillar to chrysalis (cocoon) and finally to butterfly. Therefore; I wanted to use materials, textures and colours which embodied this poetic story of a shift in structure, form, colour and persona. To show the varying tones within nature’s creations- I hand-dyed the green fabric used in the first caterpillar dress which exposed pattern and added depth and dimension; bringing the ‘creature’ to life!

To mimic the texture of the caterpillar. I used a heat gun to create bubbled shibori on the green gown. The chrysalis garments signified the ethereal, delicate stage of the butterfly encased in the cocoon, vulnerability represented in the sheaths of tulle, delicate and transparent, sheer fabrics which encased the female form. Lastly, the butterfly garments were uplifting and vivaciously coloured - using patterns, structural forms and feathers to symbolize this new-found form that has just hatched and has been freed!

Another contributing factor to the materials used in my designs; was the ease of movement that I had to ensure I provided for the models and dancers, especially.

What was the process for creating your garments?

In my fashion practice, process to me is just as vital; if not more important than the final product. The process of design is magical when I let my imagination go wild and pages come alive.. When fabric is manipulated and a transformation of shape and form takes place...and when a thought finally comes into fruition! It is why I am a designer.

For this collection, I was under time pressure- having only about a week and a half to produce five out of the six garments I showcased. I began by trawling through my visual inspiration books filled with my research on metamorphosis. Sourcing the fabrics and trims sparks more inspiration as to what to create; and I begin to drape on the stand. I use quite an organic, spontaneous approach to design- surrendering to where the process takes me- often simultaneously working between draping on the stand to flat pattern-making and sketching. I used a mixture of hand-stitched finishes and details; as well as machine-made.

My design process/philosophy

‘A single thought: a seed of inspiration sown, lovingly nurtured from paper to fabric until it blossoms into a beautiful, honest reflection on life itself'

Explain your idea and inspiration to have your collection presented so theatrical?

I wanted to design a collection that will take the audience on a transformative journey of profound change; representing the transient beauty of nature through wearable art. A dreamlike concoction of vivid colours and inspired textures to let one’s imagination take flight…. representing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to butterfly in an out-of-the-ordinary way. It had an important narrative to tell and I wanted the audience to really connect and feel. Fashion has the capability to move people...if you let it!

I find awe and wonder in the simplest things in life; and wanted to produce a show that emphasises the often dismissed changes in the world that surrounds us- resulting in a more theatrical, exaggerated show. I have a background in the performing arts- and I thought that an event like ‘First Kiss’ would be the perfect opportunity to combine my two passions! I teamed my wearable art, conceptual garments with an evocative mix of contemporary and lyrical dance to portray mood. I believe that music and dance is incredibly expressive- the idea of movement can speak louder than words and can entrance one into a fantastical world! I wanted the garments themselves to have a personality- each portraying the three stages of metamorphosis: the quirky, elegant caterpillar, to the whimsical, delicate nature of the chrysalis….to the beautiful vibrancy of the newly freed butterfly. When the model or dancer put on the garment; my aim was for them to embody the character through how the garment made them feel.

And lastly what do you eventually want, to create your own label or work for a label

In the future, I endeavour to create my own fashion label. It's something that I have dreamed of since I was young. I am a very individual person and would love the freedom to establish my own unique mark in the local and international fashion industry. However, when I graduate I hope to travel overseas and work within the industry for other labels first to gain experience and skills that I hope to apply to my own label someday.

Follow my design journey on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacinta-Raquel-JR-Design/617266008292167

or www.jacintaraquel.com (website currently being updated- under construction)

Jacinta Raquel- JR Design

CASEY  DEMKO

You’ve graduated rmit with two courses under your belt and you specialise in wool construction!

Tell us what does that entail? And when and how did you know you wanted to specialise in that area?

I've graduated from two RMIT courses. The first I completed was the Associate Degree in Fashion Technology where I made the choice I become a knitwear major. I carried that through to my second course where I completed the Bachelor of Applied Science (Fashion Technology). At the beginning of the first course students we offered the choice to do main stream or the knitwear component after industry feedback to the university said there was a lack of skill in this area. I've always loved knitting, my grandmother taught me when I was young so I decided why not learn the industrial side of things. I am of the first ever to graduate from the knitwear major, I'm one of only 6. It's similar to the main stream course however it's more specialised and at certain times we had more classes and I feel, a heavier workload... But that's just personal opinion!

what inspired your collection? And during the event how did you come about your garden theme? It was so adorable I loved it!

Thank you! Last year I visited Monet's garden in France on a study tour with uni. I fell in love with the beauty and vibe of the place. while it was so visually rich there was this overwhelming feeling that I just can't describe, it was luscious, full of time and just gorgeous. I used this inspiration an earlier collection which was actually lingerie and then carried it through to the dresses you seen on the night. I also drew inspiration from traditional handcrafts such as crochet, beading and of course knitting. As I have a strong passion for handcrafts it is always present in all my collections.

I was fascinated by your story on your crochet daisy dress, what inspired you to do this

At the begging I was really suffering from a creative block, one day I was experimenting crochet flowers to create earrings, and I just thought if I could crochet a lot of then why not make a dress? And really that's how it come about, it sort of just hit me...

What pros and cons did you encounter while creating such a beautiful piece?

When I'm asked this it's easy to think of the cons, being an end of year piece for uni I found it quiet stressful. The dress is made from over 450 crochet flowers with a Swarovski crystal attached to the center of each and I had to work solely to tight dead lines as well as create the other pieces and of course all the rest that goes with completing an assessment. The pros are obviously the beauty of it. Hand made is always precious and while at times I did find it stressful it was worth it, I completed it... I made something timeless and gorgeous and that I'm extremely proud of.

During the night you explained to me how you added the metallic yarn within your dress, explain to everyone how you did this?

For this particular dress I created it on an industrial knitting machine which I worked closely with a knitwear technician to achieve. The metallic yarn is called lurex, which I used in a technique called plating. The dress was made using a whole garment machine- which means it literally came off the machine as a finished garment. So anyway, plating is achieved by running two end of lurex through the machine keeps on the inside of the fabric that is being knitted. We call this side the technical back. For the teapot motifs the stitches are reverse so that the backside comes through the front as so the silver picture of a teapot appears. It can be difficult to describe without using knitwear lingo, which won't make sense to people with no industrial knit knowledge.

What are your future plans?

I’ve just recently moved into a studio in the nicolous building on Swanston street. My plans are to work in industry to fund my dreams of running my label Casey Marie.

What advice do you have for future students in the industry?

My advice to students is to stay positive, keep true to yourself and focus on the bigger picture of getting yourself to where you want to be.

Special thanks to Danielle Fosberry 

Jacinta Raquel Casey Marie Demko xxx

Photo Credit 

Defiant Arts

Michael Woods Photography

Shaun Photography