Australian Fashion Week 2014: N.L.P SS14/15 at MBFWA

 
Words: Saskia Edwards

Images: Jonathan Rae

N.L.P didn’t present a collection, it presented a tribe. There’s no frail waifs, just a band of powerful Amazonians. Or you could describe them as low-budget Avatars with post-Woodford folk festival hair. N.L.P dancers took to the stage with a fierce animalistic performance, surely making their Instagram legions swoon. N.L.P is still presenting the same kind of neoprene bathing pieces that shot them to success – with the likes of Beyoncé and Jourdan Dunn donning their suits. But Nikki Lee Penny’s togs are becoming more progressive with strap detailing and a greater appropriation of clothing and swimwear design. If anything, the label seems a little stagnant. But if it ain’t broke, right?

Australian Fashion Week 2014: Christopher Esber SS14/15 at MBFWA

Words: Saskia Edwards

Images: Jonathan Rae

Christopher Esber’s SS14/15 collection had me thinking of Billy Joel’s lyrics, “She's nobody's fool, but she can't be convicted. She's earned her degree and the most she will do is throw shadows at you. But she's always a woman to me”. The Esber girl is somewhere between progressive corporate and the first lady of the future. Esber outfits are business on top, party on the bottom (or vice versa). He teamed up double-breasted jackets with shorts, black A-line dresses with daring slits and strapless leather tops with trousers. Esber says he took inspiration from navy suiting and militaristic themes. Though, some of the pieces seemed a little derivative of Raf Simon’s Fall 2014 for Dior – referencing their coats and unavoidable Stepford Wives look. But perhaps Christopher Esber is resurrecting the ‘New Look’ in modern Australian design. His works are tasteful, give structured silhouettes and are for women and ladies alike.  

Australian Fashion Week 2014: Kahlo SS14/15 at MBFWA

 

Words: Saskia Edwards

Images: Jonathan Rae

The Kahlo show was like an amalgamation of Daria and Quinn Morgendorffer, with the unlikely combination of grunge angst and a whole lot of midriff. Kahlo presented a collection of angular minimal pieces in teals, nudes, black, white and grey punctuated with iridescent metallics. It’s a pretty big departure from Carla Zampatti’s sweeping gowns from the previous day. All of Kahlo’s ensembles are very accessible; they could be worn on the street now. The accompanying silver adornments were part of a collaboration between the brand and Claire Aristides Fine Jewels. While Kahlo is fresh meat, formed only three years ago, their work is refined, innovative and on the sports-luxe trend. Their latest collection may be a little underwhelming compared to the fresh use of cuts and textiles in their previous work, but their 100 per cent Australian made mantra always brings out our patriotic side – no mean feat. 

Australian Fashion Week 2014: Gail Sorronda SS14/15 at MBFWA

Words: Saskia Edwards

Images: Jonathan Rae

Gail Sorronda SS14/15 takes you under the sea. It gives life to an ethereal playground of sea creatures and delicate goddesses. Throughout the collection, designer Gail Reid referenced Ernst Haeckel's Radiolarians illustrations – intricate mineral skeletons inhabiting the mammoth ocean. Meticulously crafted headpieces and embroidery show the same super fractal-like details. The whimsy of her designs is heightened through romantic silhouettes, dainty textiles and the Little Mermaid prints. The aesthetic kept to Gail’s signatures – dramatic cuts, collars and big sleeves. However, this latest collection seems to be her softest yet, somewhat abandoning her graphic monochromatic past. Gail Sorronda SS14/15 encapsulates beauty, femininity and magic.

Best of Street Style from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane

Words by Saskia Edwards

Photos by Jonathan Rae

Some of the more inspiring looks from Brisbane’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival were seen outside the catwalk, on the street. Obvious trends, which also spilled onto the runway, were white shoes, wide-leg pants and holographic and transparent plastic clutches. Check out these Brisbabes.

 

 

 More at the Stylish Image

Brisbane Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Emerging Designer show 2013

Words by Saskia Edwards
Images by Jonathan Rae

This year’s Brisbane Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Emerging Designer show was set within the newly opened City Hall. 

The renovated building maintains its charm, but with various Enter the Void light tricks and an interior dome - when looked up at - resembling the prelude to an alien abduction. A circular stage replaced the conventional catwalk and promised a dynamic visual display, but became frustrating with an often inconsistent and obscured view. 

The evening began with awards for emerging designers who took inspiration from media.

Palm Beach designer Sue Paul was awarded the Outstanding Use of Material award for her textile created from plastic and paper discs (appropriating Dexter’s sadistic use of plastic ensembles for high fashion). 

 Liam Blaik took out the award for Innovation and Creativity after embedding QR codes into his fabric. Austin Moro won Technical Excellence in Design through his concept translated into an idyllic floral creation and Samantha Delgos claimed People’s Choice Award. 

(Pictured designs: Far left Liam Blaik, back left Sue Paul, fourth from right Samantha Delgos, rar right Austin Moro)

(Pictured: design by Sharina Dymock)

(Pictured: design by Kerren MacDonald)

After the audience endured a series of advertisements, the Emerging Designer Group Show proceeded in showcasing new design talent.

 Amongst the designers (and deluge of glitter, bird cages and questionable taste) Molly & Polly Swimwear presented an exiting and fresh collection. Molly & Polly’s real accomplishment was managing to make tackle boxes and fishing rods stylish and beyond the domain of flanno clad men protesting, ‘this is living!’

(Pictured: Molly & Polly)

(Pictured: Molly & Polly)

(Pictured: Molly & Polly)

 Similarly, featured label Peony Swimwear seamlessly incorporated Akubra hats that certainly did not inspire thoughts of Bob Katter. 

Other featured labels included Erin Hassall designs, Playsuit, A Jacksonian Era, Sinead James, Begitta and Stokes Thompson Design.

(Pictured: Begitta)

(Pictured: Sinead James)

(Pictured: Sinead James)

The festival continues until August 30. See the street style from the event here.