Maise at Australian Fashion Week

Illionaire’s recessionista glam

It’s up to fashion to fly in the face of the convention of the world around us. In an era of downsizing, down-scaling and down-playing, the Illionaire parade at Australian Fashion Week protested that the only way is up. The mood was immediately set as the space transformed into a fibre optic light-show and the deep voice of Grace Jones purred from the speakers. In ironic anti-recession styling, 80s-excess influenced detailing featured in ruffled leather and hot-pants. (Leather pants in summer? A sign of climatic uncertainty in our global-warming world, I guess, where we have to be prepared for four seasons in one day). The standout? A gold jumpsuit, hands down, paves the fashion pavement for a new generation borrowing from their Mother’s Dynasty days. The show went off with a bang, literally, with a gold foil glitter drop from the ceiling exuding positivity and excess – even as models slipped and slided through the foil pieces during the finale circuit. Whether you’re a billionaire or a nillionaire, Illionaire put an approving fashion-forward grin on everyone’s faces with their SS 09/10 showcase.

Dork chic at Australian Fashion Week

If you spent your formative years in the library rather than the playground, fear not. The fashion world intends to reek havoc on your adolescent bullies by turning literary du jour. Models sported big black rimmed glasses (the kind of frames your mother would have insisted upon during visits to the optometrist) at UnNakeD at Australian Fashion Week. Unless there was a contagious wave of shortsightedness, we don’t think the glasses are prescription. It’s not the first time we’ve seen such nerdy goggles. American Apparel’s oversized Challenger and Fabian eyeglasses have been leading the way in the dork revolt. So grab a pair and start a book club!

Nana Judy unleash the next Cult To Be tee

It’s quite disturbing at the New Generation at Australian Fashion Week show as the designer comes out to take their final bow and more often than not looks younger than the fresh-faced models. The presentation of the new kids on the block is always packed to the rafters with fashionistas on the pilgrimage to find ‘the one to watch’. Pretty soon they could be mega-brands, and everyone wants the kudos of saying: ‘I remember being at their first show’. We’re still talking about Ksubi’s (then Tsubi) infamous debut onto the scene in which live rats were released onto the catwalk (yes, PETA was not impressed). Read more

Girls Against Gold at Sydney’s Blank Space Gallery

With the price of gold hitting an all time high, it was only a matter of time before designers took a hard look at what this metal represents. But just because gold has never been more unattainable, doesn’t mean our jewellery box has to suffer. That’s where Sydney design group Ten More Girls come in. Standing true to this philosophy, their latest exhibition Girls Against Gold kicks off this Saturday at the Blank Space Gallery in Sydney’s Surry Hills. They believe that preciousness lies not in the materials used, but in the piece’s emotional value. Crafting silver, brass, wood and bone, they’ll have you lusting after a whole new array of materials. Read more

After the Apple

Life is made up of a series of moments. Some of them you’ll blink and miss, but others can shake up your entire world and leave you questioning just about every baggage purchase you’ve ever made. Think we’re being dramatic? Take a look at ex-Mimco designer Rachelle Dendle’s label, After the Apple, because her first collection titled FINS is going to stop you in your tracks. Made up of twelve basic bag shapes that will be adapted to a new theme every season, each bag fits a particular person’s need. This season’s dozen takes inspiration from under the sea, giving us injections of tropical colour and flashes of marine form. So which bag will you be fishing for? Read more

Tom Binns’ Neon Chandelier earrings

The fashion pack may have renamed the common ‘fluro’ to an edgy ‘neon’ this season, but that doesn’t mean we’re about to step out in the head-to-toe highlighter hues we’re seeing on the catwalk. Out in the real world it’s all about subtlety, and what better way to make a statement than with a pair of iridescent chandelier earrings by Irish designer Tom Binns. Inspired by the early twentieth century Dada movement, Binns takes crystal embellishment to a whole new level with neon pear-shapes and studded fringing. These babies are just what your wardrobe neutrals need. Read more