From small affair to so fashionable
Fifteen years is a long time in fashion.
When Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan launched the event that would eventually become Perth Fashion Festival, it was a comparatively small affair.
But Harvey-Hanrahan, then the editor of Bridal Options magazine, decided that what had begun as a design awards ceremony to acknowledge Perth's best bridal gowns, could develop into something more.
By 2000, WA Fashion Week had expanded from eight to 24 events, including the WA Model of the Year Awards, fashion luncheons and retail showcases - a blueprint still retained.
Attendees in 2000 included then-editor of Vogue Australia, Kirstie Clements, and legendary design duo George Gross and Harry Who.
Visiting celebrities included TV vet Katrina Warren and the late Belinda Emmett, while designers to show on the schedule included Empire Rose, Ruth Tarvydas, Aurelio Costarella and WA Designer of the Year, Jennifer Gaye.
Bad boy designer Wayne Cooper hosted the 2001 model search, and the founder of Australian Fashion Week, Simon Lock, also attended - a major coup for a fledgling event.
Local designers to feature during the week included Breathless, Su and Empire Rose.
Gemma Bidstrup was the "face" of the 2002 event, by now renamed Perth Fashion Festival and the designer of the moment was Selfh's Rebecca Patterson.
And 2003 was to be a big year for Perth Fashion Festival.
At just 15, Gemma Ward won WA Model of the Year, propelling her to an international career that led to her becoming one of the world's most famous models.
Jodhi Packer (now Meares) flew in to see what all the fuss was about and edgy young designers Mic Eaton and Josh Patterson created a splash with their label Material Boy.
By 2005, the festival had grown into a city-wide event. Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman of Sydney label Camilla and Marc flew in as guest judges of the WA Fashion Design Awards.
In 2006, a New Generation event was instigated, recognising emerging talent such as Joveeba and One Fell Swoop.
Fast-forward to an event that has managed to increase its attendance from 15,000 in 2007 to last year's 35,000.
There's only one question left: where to next for PFF?
