#msfw 13

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Fashion schools grace the runway at MSFW

Wrapping up MSFW, which already feels like a long time ago with a first for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week history. A show featuring students from varying fashion institutions in Melbourne, giving them a platform to share their designs with the retail hungry punters which filled the Melbourne Town Hall. The avant-garde met with street wear and ready to wear all the while wowing the crowd with their creativity and expression in design. A high standard to come out of these schools and I hope a continuing staple in the MSFW calendar. 

The schools featured were: Box Hill Institute Kangan Institute Melbourne School of Fashion Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia

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The weird and wonderful on show from RMIT at MSFW

Each year, this runway show draws a crowd of enthusiasts hoping to witness some bold, unique and daringly wacky fashion catapult down the runway. Well, this year was no exception. The 4th year RMIT school of fashion and textiles students provided us with a spectacle that we expect, clothes that may never be seen other than on a runway and practicalities of fashion that in this instance, get thrown out the window.  It's a chance for these students to throw creative caution to the wind and let their imaginations run free(I think some may have let them run wild) before the reality of creating a lucrative career in the fashion fickle world begins upon leaving the safety of the institution. Good luck to them all I say, it is a bold endeavour and always great to see unbridled creative freedom. 

The night went by so quickly that I only managed to catch but a few of the names of the students, so my apologies for not being able to give credit where it is due. If you know of the designers or you are one, please let me know and I'll be happy to update this post with your name.

Here's a few to mention:

Joanna Howe

Tyrone Susman

Lauren Cray

Victoria Thanotis

Lucy Rosenberg

Alanna Barca

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Levi's rock the runway at MSFW

This is a show I look forward to- being a free show is a bonus indeed, but the Levi's runway show at the MSFW hub in the city square always draws a fashionable crowd both on and of the stage.

I absolutely love denim as I think it just looks good on anyone and is easy to dress up or down. Levi's have been carving out great denim ensembles year after year and their clothes tell a story for me which is what I love-and rather appeals to the tomboy in me. The men and women strutting down the runway were hot to boot and the hair and make-up, shoes and accessories were all amazing while JR Reyne pumped out some groovy tunes setting the beat for the models. I hope they come back again next year! 

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MSFW Designer Series Runway 2

When you think how much fashion passes down the runway by the end of fashion week, it is staggering, and also sometimes a bit of a blur. Hence it is always nice to look back at your photos and re-live the event and study the clothes further. Wednesday night was the 2nd designer series runway with a great collection of designers on show. Lots of digital prints, animal prints, metallics, white was a dominant colour with splashes of blue, orange and green thrown in the mix. I absolutely love Christina Exie's collection of circle cut out visors and jackets and vests and the spotted jumpsuit was sublime, as was the metallic blue dress and pant and crop top ensemble. So much to love down the runway, and with Melbourne's unseasonal warm weather (it was still 22.8 degrees at 1.30am!!) and seeing all these fitted, figure hugging, figure revealing outfits-all leads to one thing- panic in the minds of women relaxed from the layers of Winter! Time to get exercising! But lets start by admiring these delights shall we!

Life with bird

Christina Exie

Manning Cartel

Livia Arena

Tettmann Doust

Alice McCall

Neo Dia

YB J'AIME

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Dress yourself in red, white and blue-the Brits are coming to Acmi!

Image courtesy HBO

Spring is rolling around once more, and the annual way to celebrate it is with the launch of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week! And what better way to dress than in red,white and blue as we celebrate the newly fashioned film season at ACMI, curated by James Nolen, From Twiggy to Westwood-great British fashion on film. A highlight event in the MSFW calendar, and presented in association with MSFW and Great Britain Arts 13, each year we are presented with fashion films to highlight a week of runway festivities and cultural exhibitions, giving us time to pause and experience fashion from a behind the scenes angle, which is always far more interesting than what is presented front and centre on show. James has curated a package paying homage to our British  creators,style icons and fashion dictators in 4 documentaries that are each inspiring, eye opening and offer a visual feast to the fashion hungry eyes. 

Paul Smith, Gentleman Designer Image courtesy ARTE,France

Paul Smith, Gentleman Designer, is a documentary celebrating 40 years as a designer showcasing his London studio and fittings for his shows, including Melbourne model Andrej Pejic modelling the Autumn/Winter 2011 mens collection. Paul sweeps through the globe and its varying cities riding his bicycle stopping to take pictures along the way recording inspiration in many forms. "You can find inspiration in everything. If you can't than you're not looking properly." Sir Paul Smith. As a special treat before the documentary is a screening of 2013/14 Autumn/Winter Paul Smith Collection keeping you right up to date with his designs. I highly recommend this film as it leaves you feeling light of heart and inquisitive of nature, and rather exhausted watching him look so fit in all that he does in his day! A true inspiration. 

British style genius:Breaking the rules-fashion rebel look  

Image courtesy of BBC Worldwide

I love a good rebel- so there's much to love in British Style genius which takes a look at maverick British designers such as Vivienne Westwood. We follow her journey and influence on other designers as she pushed the boundaries,forging a new era of individualism and catwalk style, a vision shared with the likes of John Galliano and Alexander McQueen who are also featured in this informative documentary. 

In Vogue:The Editors Eye Image courtesy HBO

As a very special treat, the premiere screening of In Vogue:The Editors Eye, will actually be a FREE screening! And what fashion lover doesn't love a freebie! I know! You can stop jumping up and down now and you DID read correctly! A behind the scenes insight with British head of Vogue Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington and Hamish Bowles as they celebrate US Vogues 120th birthday. Including interviews with the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Marc Jacobs, Alber Elbaz, Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Ghesquiere as well as current and former Vogue editors. Revealing insights into the magazine production both on and off the camera and how it all magically comes together, producing cover after cover, making Vogue the most respected name in fashion magazines. 

Twiggy:The Face of 66' Image courtesy of ARTE France

Another Australian premiere screening is Twiggy:The face of 66'. In swinging 60's London, a new face catapulted to international fame, encapsulating the era of carefree youth, Carnaby St and a generation of consumers with money to spend after the restraints and dreariness of War. Twiggy's androgynous look was a perfect fit for the time and place and inspired women all over with her short hair and short skirts and a devil may care freedom. She had the benefit of working with all the top photographers of the time, while also establishing her own teen fashion line. Hear from Twiggy herself as well as Biba store founder Barbara Hulanicki, Yardbirds musician Jim McCarthy, photographer Terry O'Niell, designer Zandra Rhodes and artist Nigel Waymouth. 

Image courtesy of ARTE France

I highly recommend squeezing in these films around your fashion festival calendar, they are a great highlight for me each year and not only give you wonderful insights into the business of fashion but the evolution and full circle that the fashion world often spins on. Not to be missed, so see you at the movies!

For more information, session details and screening times, check the ACMI website.

Click here for further information on the MSFW program.