Style Discovery

World Fashion Week Designers at Perth Fashion Week 2012

songy — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:54:29 +0000

Along with Addy van den Krommenaker, Francesca Di Maria and Furne One, Perth Fashion Week 2012 showcased other international names to the Perth fashion scene. Apparently, World Fashion Week’s representatives who brought these designers were promised, according to last week’s STM magazine, over fifty international buyers and media for them. The owner/director of PFW, Sylvia Giacci, of coursed, denied this saying that they promised nothing and, for an inaugural event, it was excellent.

What’s interesting though is that the World Fashion Week people actually thought that a local event such as PFW from a town of just over a million people could bring such media and buyer attention. I would have thought most of them would have never heard of Perth. Not surprising if their website is anything to go by. It looks to be made by people from the last century. One would argue that I cannot judge an organisation by its website alone. Kid you not though it really looks like it’s made by someone who learned to make a website using Frontpage back in the 90s. Regardless, they would have known after a few shows that PFW wasn’t attracting an enormous amount of interest from anyone since they would have seen how empty some of the shows were. As I mentioned earlier, in most cases the media pit was pretty much empty as well.

I do have a few other comments to make but before I do that I think these designers do deserve some mention.

Gabriel Lage – Argentina

His work was intricate, stunning and majestic. I had a chat with one of the models backstage regarding his garments. The main thing was the quality of workmanship. I’m not sure if you can see all the details in the photos which really don’t do any justice in this case.

Hendrik Vermeulen – South Africa

This collection reminded me very much of the movie Avatar. What looked to be inspired by Africa and its natural beauty, it was awe-inspiring and kitschy if that is possible as a combination.

Thang de Hoo – Austrlia

I don’t have much say about this show. It’s modern and many of the dresses would be perfect for clubbing for some.

If I get to talk to the PFW organisers I would like to ask how these designers were chosen. Or did they even have say over the matter? Or what was the point of inviting these designers when there are so many designers in Perth and in Australia. Individually, these designers must be well respected and established in their countries but here in WA (even if there was a lot of publicity and marketing beforehand) they are unknown. Nothing wrong with their garments or design but I am not sure if I would give a toss about them when I can get something not too different these from designers who are based ‘just around the corner’ not across the ocean.

The next big fashion event for us, Perthlings, is StyleAID. At some point earlier this year I thought I was going to get involved in the event somehow but obviously it isn’t the case as I only found out that there were some activities happening only in Facebook. Regardless, I am not even sure whether I’d get invited to cover the event since my request for the media credential was ignored last year. Fear not, it’s not the end of the world. I’ll sure have something to write about whatever that might be.

Garage Sale Trail and other things I love this month

songy — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:02:53 +0000

My guy got roped into setting up a garage sale in the website called The Garage Sales Trail a few weeks ago for his mother. At the time, all I said to him was how he would regret it. It turned out it was going to make my weekend rather interesting. The Garage Sale Trail is very much like offline eBay. Paypal is one of the sponsors which is not surprising. Also, ABC Local Radio stations are included in the sponsor list. So it happened, my guy got a call from the local radio station ABC 720 Perth regarding the garage sale he set up his mother. They wanted to do a live show supporting his mother’s sale. When I heard this I laughed and laughed.

On Saturday 5 May 2012, we arrived in a northern suburb at 7:30 AM where my mother-in-law set up a her ‘monster vintage clothes sale’. ABC radio crew was already setting up to start a live radio cast in front of her car port. The show was due to start at 8:30 by James Lush. It was totally brilliant watching the people setting up and doing a radio show. Radio shows are meant to be watched. They are meant to be heard. That’s why it was so delicious. It was as if I was having a peek at something that I wasn’t meant to.

The star attraction of the whole business was really the valuer from Hayes Auctioneers, Gilli. Quite a lot of people turned up with all kinds of family heirlooms. There was also a table of goods donated by ABC Radio DJs. One the the goods was a print by a famous Western Australian artist which was valued by Gilli as $150-200. That print was snapped up by a local couple for $100 early on before the show began.

I don’t know what happened to the actual garage sale as I was busy watching the radio crew and the valuer looking and judging people’s treasures. There are plenty of garage sales but none will match the one I saw yesterday. If you are a frequent garage sale shopper you didn’t really miss anything. If you are not and want to have a go at catching as many as possible in one day you’d better watch out for next year’s trail.

I’m still savouring images and show memories of the Perth Fashion Week from the other week. While I’m doing that I thought I should take a wee break and share with you what I’m currently enjoying. There are tons of DJ mixed/produced music CDs out there and I like a lot of them. Parov Stelar is a musician, DJ and the head of a recording label Etage Noir Recordings. And I must tell you that I’m love with his albums at the moment.

Perth International Comedy Festival is currently on so, last night, we went out to see an act called The Pajama Men. It was a little too bent to my liking although my guy couldn’t stop laughing all the way through. What was striking was the musician who was providing the background music throughout the show. Kevin Hume’s voice was delicious and so very gentle against the backdrop of slapstick and sometimes downright strange gags. After the show, we were able to buy his album and got the artist himself to autograph the CD cover.

Oh, today I also went to see The Avengers at the cinema. It was totally awesome and I’m not sure if I could recover from the movie quickly enough. My escape from reality via movies doesn’t always end well. The recovery period can be quite long and gruesome - days of day dreaming. Who would guess that action movies have such profound effects on people like me. It takes all sorts, doesn’t it?

Francesca Di Maria at Perth Fashion Week 2012

songy — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:16:12 +0000

Francesca Di Maria’s 2012/2013 Spring/Summer collection at Perth Fashion Week 2012 reminded me very much of Escada – it’s a rather personal story.

During my high school years I went to a school filled with girls from very well to do families. Back in the days when imported goods were taxed very heavily, anything European meant big bucks. One of the girls in my class whose name I still remember had a fabulously stylish mother. I know that she used to wear Escada. God knows why I still remember that. Francesca Di Maria’ work brought back all those memories. I had a bit of a nostalgic moment after the show.

I don’t remember her face or anything like that. But what I remember is she was fun, beautiful and stylish. I can picture her wearing Francesca Di Maria’s stuff.

This is one of those collections which makes me yawn for a mother or an aunt that I never had but wish I had.

Apart from that, as a fashion show there was nothing special – no one fell down, no boob escaped or a music stopped playing. It was just a fashion show at a local fashion week.

Addy van den Krommenacker at Perth Fashion Week 2012

songy — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:36:07 +0000

2012/2013 Spring Summer Collection for Addy van den Krommenacker was showcased at Perth Fashion Week 2012 in the less than half full venue. In fact, none of the international guest designers were able to fill the house although I don’t know about Peridot London as I didn’t attend the show. Perhaps, the price for the show tickets was a little too prohibitive. You’d probably know but the fashion week organisers were having to give away free tickets just to fill the house so that it’s not too empty.

Less than warm welcome to these guest designers aside, the shows were spectacular. The Dutch designer Addy van den Krommenacker’s was no exception.

I thought the laser cut pink dress was interesting.

I’d think what Olivia Donaldson sported was more than suitable as an elegant wedding gown. The full collection photos are in Flickr if you’re interested in seeing all of the dresses.

There were plenty of other colourful, pretty and womanly dresses – not that any of them would be useful for someone like me who absolutely have no occasion for such attire. More of upcoming posts will be all about fancy dresses aka haute couture. It seems as though the whole event was geared towards women – see there were no men’s wear either – who need ball gowns and fancy dresses. Is it only me thinking that? Or is it just because I missed shows from New Gen and Ready To Wear?! These shows were on during the day mid week so I couldn’t attend. Oh well.

One more thing, before I forget.. while I’m still savouring moments from the Fashion Week, it’s been announced this week that Perth Fashion Festival 2012 will be held in September 19-25. Now it’s time to plan for my annual leave from work as I don’t believe I could cope otherwise.

You might be interested in reading my previous (embarrassing) festival coverage all the way back from 2008:

Dreamtime Indigenous Fashion at Perth Fashion Week 2012

songy — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:19:03 +0000

Perth Fashion Week’s Director Sylvia Giacci came out and made an introduction to this show Dreamtime. She didn’t do that for all but this was the first that I saw her opening one. She mentioned something about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Well, that’s first. For all these years attending shows, I’ve never seen a show dedicated for or rather presented by indigenous Australian designers.

I first thought it could turn out to be a bit of so so but it was not. I should say it was quite heart warming. It was quite amusing as well seeing really young indigenous models walking down sheepishly off centre and turning right around without a moment for a pose. Surely if there were more opportunities for indigenous models we would see less of that embarrassing moments?

Eva Wanganeen

It was quite endearing watching a mature aboriginal designer – Eva Wanganeen – walking down the runway with a model who was walking with great purpose and determination. It was surreal.

Deadly Diva

I thought Deadly Diva clothing’s prints were nice in black which was quite a departure from the usual earthy tones. The accessories did anchor the designs to make them look and feel indigenous.

Kaninda Designs

This would be my favourite – as wearable and saleable. I really liked the warm colours and simple cuts. These should be perfect for lounging around in the house during summer months looking and feeling like a princess.

Bandi Bandi

Hot girls in swim suits are always popular in fashion shows. It was the same this time around. Plenty of cheering and what not. What is it that make people go crazy when girls walk out with covering not much?! In all fairness, these bathing suits were quite sexy. Would you agree?

Some may argue that it’s no good singling out Aboriginal people by having a special show for them. Sure, we are all equal and everyone should be treated as such. But when there are no apparent leader in fashion industry to represent a culturally important segment of population – I’m not aware of any famous fashion figure from them yet - it makes sense to showcase work. I wouldn’t even want to argue finer points of equity or equality. I simply like the diversity. I reckon it was a jolly good idea having a show for indigenous fashion designers. If it wasn’t for this show I would not have known any of these talented people. So hurrah for Perth Fashion Week for organising one.

Perth Fashion Week 2012 – One Fell Swoop

songy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:16:00 +0000

I love fashion in general but that doesn’t mean that I have an equal amount of love for every label I see. There are those I admire for sheer beauty and craftsmanship and there are those which I covet to the extent that I could seriously fill up my entire wardrobe if I had a unlimited fashion budget.

One fell swoop is one of those labels. The creators always put on quality shows every time. Their signature style is draping flowy elegance. Like the design I felt in love with in StyleAid 2009 and StyleAid 2010, this collection is no exception. There was just right amount of flowing fabric, draping, pinching and folding. It’s unpretentious and it looks forgiving of less than skinny bodies like mine.

As you can see in the images, there were a couple of nice touches – silver foiled neck and white paint covered hands. They provided interesting visual accents. Having said that models did create a bit of mess in the backstage bathroom after the show as they had to scrub all that stuff off. You didn’t have to know that but now you do.

Going back to how competent the designers of One Fell Swoop are.. The house photographer, Brad Hick, did mention that their shows in Melbourne have always been very good. There you go, it’s not just me saying it. I just wish I could afford one of those let alone filling up the entire closet with them.