Although I was feeling rather crook, I did pay a visit to see the crew before the show. Petticoat Minx’s fasciantors fascinated me. I hear that they are all individually handmade. Cool? Don’t you love the crazy brow make up by Penny?

Ah, I was thrilled to see Paper Skye’s new design (second row)! The venue, Bistro Felix, was cool although it wasn’t that parade friendly. I could see that the food was quite sumptuous. I loved their vintage style prints on the wall.

It was also great to see some familiar faces and getting to actually know names of some of the faces (as well). I finally got to meet Greg from the West. I see him in most events I attend but I never knew his name although he is rather famous in his own right taking photos from the biggest paper in WA. I was also approached by Emma Bergmeier, Fashion and Art editor from X-press magazine. She was asking me if I could ‘shoot’ for X-press at all graduation shows. Yeah, why not. I don’t know exactly what’s involved but I’m sure that means processing photos as soon as the shows are over… more sleep deprivation is in order it seems. I also saw Teagan (one of the project managers from the Perth Fashion Festival 2009 and Fremantle High Street Collective 2008) who is preparing to launch her own jewellery label. I hear that her stuff will be stocked at the famous Varga Girl. The flagship store was relocated from King St. to Oxford st. in Leederville recently. There will be an official opening of the store. It’s going to be big. I’m so excited about it… probably there will be a personal tour of the store by Teagan herself before then! Hurrah.

Back to Couture Friday, fortunately, I didn’t get to see the entire show. Regardless, I like the idea of lunching and fashion show. Will they be next time, Jacqui? Please count me in.. I might even get to sit down next time for a change?!

Fashion WA’s store is selling all you see in the photos (of course, not the girls or the wine…)

The magazine was better than I hoped for. Is it to due to the fact that people are already talking about Perth getting out of the so called economic downturn? I don’t know if we actually had any to be honest. With Emily Catthermole on the cover, I found pages on who’s who of the Festival (maybe I could be listed in there next year? hmm haha) , an interesting analysis on the Festival and its future, an article on Ruth Tarvydas and the WA Fashion Awards write-up with a nice picture of the ‘trophy’ designed by Kailis. On a moment like this I’m very proud to be a West Australian. Perth is not a big city but we have so many talents and there are a lot of exciting labels – not mass produced and more often than not locally produced. Essentially that’s what makes up Style Discovery. That’s exactly why I was so buy yesterday attending three different fashion events in support of local talent. I hope you enjoy the festival. I’m sure I will.

Kailis designed ‘trophy’ is like a dog-tag isn’t it? No regular dog-tag though. White gold and mother of pearl panel make it very special. Some of them will also have black diamond I hear.

If you haven’t got a calendar then head over to the official website. PFF officials have finally updated the program to include the only the calendar.

By the way, Teagan was the project manager for Transformation – Fremantle High Street Collective from last year. High St. Collective has become, I hear, Fremantle Collective to include the wider fashion community in Fero. She is also managing the VIP Fashion Show as part of PFF 09. I met her in person finally last night at the Fashion WA Launch. You’ll get to see her soon in the launch post.. very soon.

Yeah, except for some last minute touches.

Then you’ll be delivering stuff tomorrow to WA AIDS council?

No, we are taking them in person because there’s this umbrella.

Is that because they are delicate?

No it’s just ridiculous big!

This is how my little chat with Amanda McKenna (Mandi Mac) went on. Nicely sized and positioned granny flat off her home is used as Mandi Mac’s studio in Menora, suburb that is very close to the city but not that well known – consider it as a hidden treasure with old charming houses.

I first came across Mandi Mac at Fremantle High Street Collective in 2008. I then found out that she dressed a best man (actually a girl) for my friend’s wedding. Confusing? Well fear not. It all made sense when I met her. With her cracking personality it’s not strange for Mandi Mac to design a suit to dress a girl who’s been named as a best man.

Are you then doing different things for PFF then?
Not completely but we will add fresh pieces for Perth Fashion Festival. It’s for us as well for others. We want to keep things fresh. And also we don’t do wholesales as we have two shops so we can do different things as we feel like.

So how’s Hustle and Libertine arranged and how’s the business?
It’s co-owned by three of us – Mandi Mac, Linpin and Cocoon. Mt Lawley (where Libertine is) is more out there more experimental. Whereas, Fremantle (Hustle) is less so.

Mandi Mac?
It’s co-owned by three of us – Mandi Mac, Linpin and Cocoon. Mt Lawley (where Libertine is) is more out there more experimental. Whereas, Fremantle (Hustle) is less so.

Mandi Mac how did it all start?

Started late, went to uni and did a couple of degrees.

Couple?

Anthropology and sociology, minor in media. Then I studied part-time at Freo Tafe (Challenge TAFE). And then entered a couple of competitions and did really well so I went full time study at Bently (Swan TAFE). Started my label in my second year and started wholesale in Perth. In the third year, I took my collection to Melbourne Fashion Week and got an agent. Then from there….

When was it then?

2006 no.. 2005

How do you describe your style? Why do people love mandi mac?

Most of stuff comes out of from here has hand worked elements. All of them we’ve touched in some ways. All the tucks in dresses they are done ourselves (Joe and Amanda). There’s always hand crafted feel to it.

Do you think that’s the main attraction?

Ah we also do very small runs. Just to keep it fresh for us and keep the momentum for us. I like doing 5-10 and move onto next thing then move onto next thing.

So you don’t have big collections happening once or twice year then?

Yep, keep injecting new things all through. For fashion festivals, I do more experimental pieces which I love doing. A little break from retail work.

But how you study anthropology and change it into fashion?

In a way, anthropology helped in this industry. Also, while I loved being academic I also loved working with my hands more. I love my tools. Dying fabric etc.

We then somehow got onto talking about her other half. Mandi hates calling him husband so we settled on ‘partner’.

So you have a partner? I’m not assuming anything here.

I love you said that. Yes, I do have a partner. He is a lawyer.

Do you dress him in a Mandi Mac kind of way sometimes?

No, he is fine by himself actually. He does it quite well.
The only reason he got a date from me was because he was wearing Dr. Martens. And the second date, he picked me up after work.. he was wearing cufflinks… he’s a bit left a field. Other lawyers don’t understand him. People don’t get it… Nah, he’s cool. Are you with someone?

I’m married.

You don’t look like you’re married to someone!

I’ve been married to my husband for 12 years! So, I know a thing or two about being with someone. Changing each other.. improving..

Growing!

Yes, Growing. He obviously supports you.

Yes, he does very much. He is the person who makes me a cuppa when I’m working at night.

How is it financially for you at the moment?

Self sustaining. There’s no point comparing with other WA’s big labels as we are doing well. And, I don’t want to leave Perth at all. I also have renovations to the house to do. I hate Melbourne weather.

I think you found your niche market here anyway. It’s only going to grow.

Exactly, I think it’s the long term sustainability of the business that is more important. Also going back to why people like Mandi Mac. – They are collectors’ pieces rather than trend based pieces and that’s how I want to keep it. A couple of times West Australian called them ‘must have’s but that’s how they called it at the time.

Well I can’t wait for the show on Friday.

Yeah, I’m quite excited. It’s like Christmas for fashion crowd!

We digressed, we laughed and had a good time. No doubt you will be seeing more of Mandi Mac in this space because we need that dose of Mandi Mac happiness (as often as possible).

StyleAid is on in the middle of winter but we will get to see swimwear by Lady Lasvicious and summer Kaftans from Almond Trees by Linda Ellis. Getting well and truly ready for really chic summer I hope? I’m also quite excited to see Paper Skye, Garth Cook and ADDAM as well. I’ve only got 10 days to go so I wonder how many designers I get to see. I’ll be getting together with Sheree Dornan from Love in Tokyo as a start. I’ll see how many I can fit in..Fortunately, I was able to get a media pass for the show so I’ll see the show at the photographers’ pit while guests will be dining. Hmmm.

Vodka Absolut emerging designers;

• Almond Tree Colourful Kaftans by Linda Ellis
• Mandi Mac by Amanda McKenna
• Lady Lasvicious by Nyssa Ashling
• Paper Skye by Kirsten Shadbolt
• Garth cook
• ADDAM

Anyhoo, it’s so wet and windy in Perth of late I cannot possibly think of anything other than snuggling up in bed. That said, I did a couple of interviews to continue my discovery of creative sapces and designers in two days. Not bad huh?

I just hope that I’ll have enough time to get to talk to more than just a few designers before the show if not all. Wish me luck and keep warm.

Last year, after Transformation, the High Street Collective show, someone wrote to me to ask where she could buy the dress she saw in Style Discovery. Later we found out that Hustle in Fremantle was the place. Lin Pin and Cocoon are available in Hustle and I’m guessing all others are too.

Here I have for you The Butcher & The Crow, Ruby Mariani, Cocoon, and Lin Pin. The chunky accessories for Cocoon are from Loop.

I’m crazy about tulle so I’m happy to see it again and again. Also, the dress with bright flower appliqué is ever so sweet. I think these are the best shots I made for both dresses. The grey number, I haven’t seen it before. The print is interesting and so is the darts in the bodice.

The second batch of the dresses were totally new to me. I really like the skin tone dress with the back treatment which is subtly sexy. Of course, the blue dress is so vibrant and strong. I think they picked a right model for the dress as well. She wore it well and walked well in it. It shows well in the photos. I believe I was talking to the designer of this dress at the show. Unfortunately, I didn’t get her name although I gave her my card. I hope I get to post her name against her designs. That will be nice wouldn’t it?

Among the last batch, my fav is the bright blue and red panelled jacket and a matching dress. Oriental but not strictly. The cut is a lot stronger than of the traditional Chinese dresses yet it’s feminine enough to make a girl look elegant. What is your favouriate then out of all these?