WA labels boldly strut ahead
Twenty years after Australian Fashion Week launched without a single WA designer, the influence of the State's fashion industry at this week's event in Sydney was bigger, better, bolder and brighter than ever and this made me extremely proud.
The week opened with two of WA's truly greatest exports - designer Kym Ellery's outstanding collection was worthy of applause from the star-studded audience, with supermodel Gemma Ward making her only walking appearance for the week.
After this VIP appearance, Ward sat front row as guest editor for Australian Vogue.
The strong WA contingent didn't end with stars on the runway: supermodel and new mum Nicole Trunfio looked stunning in an Ellery ensemble and, with fiance Gary Clark Jr in tow, was in the front row cheering Ellery and Ward on opening night.
Other WA front-rowers included WA designer Poppy Lissiman, Telstra Perth Fashion Festival's inaugural coterie group founder Emma Milner, Rayne Embley, Marcia Ball and yours truly.
Backstage, renowned WA make-up artist Carol Mackie directed the looks for Mac Cosmetics for many of the shows.
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On Tuesday, another two WA labels presented stand-alone shows. One Fell Swoop design duo Nina Ergic and Daniel Romanin had static models waiting as you entered the room and then sent exquisite creations down the runway, in draped dresses of flowing, liquid-like fabrics in subtle tones.
In the evening, WA designers Lara Kovacevich and Lydia Tsvetnenko turned it up a notch by sending their bold and glamorous Zhivago looks down to Walk Like an Egyptian - since renamed Strut Like an Egyptian.
The show was a super hit.
At 7am the next morning, Jennifer Hawkins' stylist arrived at Zhivago's public relations office requesting four looks from the collection.
The closing show of day three was swimwear, and WA designers totally owned this space.
Our designers Fella, Zingiber and Gypsea were the highlight.
Day four and Dyspnea, a relatively new WA brand, delivered an energetic, fun show showing signature pieces with the addition of some tailored pieces. This show was a huge hit with the bloggers. Betty Tran delivered her edgiest collection to date.
Lace and beading, it was Tran staples with a twist - certainly more modern. Celebrity stylist Jules Sebastian said Tran's different look was what attracted her to styling the show.
The week as a whole was polished, with fewer hissy fits and fanfare of past years. It had a lot more substance. The inclusion of industry seminars was well-received, and understanding that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia was about business - selling clothes - not just parties and hangovers had people attending at the very unfashionable hour of 8am.
In no particular order the standouts for me were Ellery, Zhivago, Maticevski, swimwear designers Fella, Zingiber and Gypsea, and Akira Isogawa.
The trends have been karate belts, pared-back looks, long-sleeved shirts covering the hands, monochrome tones, stripes and flat shoes in the form of funky sneakers (thank God - I could not have survived the week without being able to wear fashionable shoes with sensible heels for at least a couple of days).
Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan is founder and director of the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival
