L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2010 Student Showcase

Alyssa Choat

Alyssa Choat

Alyssa Choat

Alyssa Choat

Danielle Van Camp

Danielle Van Camp

Georgia Lazzaro

Jacqueline Tyrell

Laura De Vries

Olivia Jung

Robyn Taggart

This Student Showcase entitled, 'Metamorphosis', held at the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival in Australia was shown on March 17th, 2010. It featured work by local fashion students, some of whom study at RMIT in Melbourne. I chose these particular pieces for their originality, layering of textures, sleek design, and unique or particularly impressive combinations of colour. Obviously there are some very exciting designers in Australia and I think it's important to nurture, support and recognise emerging talent. Hence, I have provided links to all of the designers websites or blogs (some were only featured on the sponsor of the show's (Sportsgirl) website. Please visit them and show your appreciation if there is anything you like.

LINKS:

Alyssa Choat

Danielle Van Camp

Georgia Lazzaro

Jacqueline Tyrrell

Laura De Vries

Olivia Jung

Robyn Taggart

Photos taken by Lucas Dawson, many thanks

Dion Lee Spring 2011 RTW

Dion Lee has become famous for his unique take on drapery and tailoring. This Spring 2011 collection was shown at the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in June 2010 in Sydney. He has been recognised by Australian fashion as one of the up and coming designers and is clear why. His originality is remarkable. I was awe struck when I first saw this collection months ago for its beautiful ink blot prints and cut-out blazers and dresses. The colour palette of white, pale blue, mauve, black, white and taupe is daringly pastel, but the thing is... this is balanced by the strength and boldness of his designs. It is so refreshing to see an Australian designer like Dion Lee continually push the bounds of wearable yet original fashion. Let's hope the rest of the world discovers this gem too.

Visit Dion Lee's Official Website (currently under construction)
A fascinating interview backstage with Dion Lee (YouTube)

* From my own enquiries I have discovered that the draped dresses are made to order.

Photos taken by Lucas Dawson, many thanks

Arnsdorf Spring 2011 RTW

This outstanding Spring 2011 collection by Arnsdorf (designer Jade Sarita Arnott) was a clear stand-out when it was shown at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, June 2010 in Sydney. Arnott the talent who created Arnsdorf studied a Bachelor of Creative Arts and the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and then studied Fashion at RMIT, both in Melbourne, Australia. This collection had echoes of Phoebe Philo for Céline, with the neutral and earthy tones shaped into a sharp and sleek tailored aesthetic. The materials are luxurious and the designs themselves absolutely perfect in terms of cut and suitability to the female form. It has an understated femininity about it which makes it a real competitor to brands particularly in France. The pink, grey, white and mauve shattered print is perhaps the most impressive feature of the entire collection and would be a very smart fashion investment.

Visit Arnsdorf's Official Website

Plus, an interesting interview with Arnott on The Blackmail (blog)

Photos taken by Lucas Dawson, many thanks

Ginger & Smart Spring 2011 RTW

This Spring 2011 RTW Collection by Ginger & Smart was shown at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week on May 3rd, 2010 in Sydney. The designers behind the label are Australian sisters Alexandra and Genevieve Smart. What I found particularly engaging with this collection is the unique dye/paint style prints and the dressing up of particular wardrobe staples like the humble white top and turning it into a beautifully draped dress (see the first photo). It combines femininity with strength and a modern edge. This collection once again demonstrates the ability of Australian designers to match European standards of tailoring and drapery. I particularly like the transparent cream/beige pant suit, just classic.

Visit Ginger & Smart's Official Website

Photos taken by Lucas Dawson, many thanks

Jayson Brunsdon Spring 2011 RTW

Australian designer Jayson Brunsdon's Spring/Summer 2011 collection was shown at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney on May 5th, 2010. It was a stunningly unified collection where simplicity and a light colour palette combined to create a feminine elegance of equal high quality to the European shows. I am drawing attention to this particular designer because he is one of the few Australian designers I regard very highly, he understands tailoring and precision, and this collection's aesthetic reminds me of the brilliance of Phoebe Philo's Céline Spring 2010 RTW collection. Of course, Brunsdon's work this season also has a certain nostalgia in it's style and prints/colour palette - evocative of Australian fashion in the 1950s-1960's. I don't think there is much more to say except, please enjoy the beauty of his work.

Take a look at Jayson Brunsdon's Official Website

Photos taken by the wonderful Lucas Dawson, many thanks.