It was a perfect start to a day filled with fabulous fashion.
Maticevski was the first onsite show of the day and had the audience in the tent captivated with his sophisticated, sculptural collection, which was heavy on beautiful evening wear featuring plenty of embellishments and sequins. Strong shoulders, peplums and feminine shapes in neutral shades with touches of gold, silver and chartreuse (which is rapidly becoming the colour of the week) made for a show that was as striking as it was covetable.
Showing in the intimate Box space, Flowers for a Vagabond created a somewhat spooky atmosphere with bare trees and a smoke machine setting the scene for an eclectic showing, which featured some daring plunging necklines, micro short length dresses and ranges of fringing with pops of bright colour and shiny metallic’s.
Talulah was up next and showed a lovely range of floral and geometric prints in pretty, wearable draped dresses. The collection had a care-free Californian feel added to by the sun-kissed skin of the pony-limbed models including Gary Pepper blogger, stunning Nicole Warne.
Left to Right – Maticevski, Flowers for a Vagabond, Talulah
Next up was Michael Lo Sordo who held an intimate event at new Greek restaurant 'The Apollo' to showcase his chic collection of party dresses in vibrant colours with sheer inserts and spliced skirts perfect for dancing the hot summer nights away.
By far the cutest moment of the day goes to Toi et Moi, who opened their show with an adorable child singing in perfect French, before an appropriately Parisian themed collection in stripes, pleats, and pastels with metallic embellishments took to the runway.
Song For The Mute showed one of the few menswear collections on this week with lots of deconstructed shapes in a muted colour palette with subtle detailing.
Left to Right – Michael Lo Sordo, Toi et Moi, Song For The Mute
They were ably followed by Project Runway Australia alumni By Johnny who made his MBFWA debut with a strong collection of modern shapes (more peplums) with graphic stripes and embossed florals in girl-ish colours.
Taking the fashion set on a journey to the National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour, Magdalena Velevska’s outdoor show had a spectacular harbour and city sunset background as her futuristic collection, strong on fluorescent yellow lit up the night. Her collection was full of fluid shapes with circle motif details and clever beading used directionally for a minimalist look to her garments.
Chosen as the collection presented by principal sponsor Mercedes-Benz, Johanna Johnson’s show was always going to be a showstopper, and the A-list front row of Australian celebrities from fashion, film and television added to the red-carpet feel of the event. From the glittering headdresses and heavily sequinned gowns, this was a show steeped in high glamour, as incredible gown after gown in lace and silk glided down the runway, in suitably lavish tones of gold, silver, black and midnight blue.
Left to right – By Johnny, Magdalena Velevska, Johanna Johnson
Like a Lana Del Rey video brought to life, Jayson Brunsdon’s installation show in the Box was full of models lounging on vintage look furniture in the moodily lit space, occasionally fanning themselves and staring semi-pensively into the crowd. Del Rey’s song ‘Video Games’ played on repeat in the background, which made it very clear who the sultry pouty lips, long wavy hair and and chic lady-like ensembles with a vampish edge were inspired by. Brunsdon’s collection was charming retro-inspired beauty at its very best.
Closing the second day of MBFWA, couturier Bowie opened his show in dramatic fashion with an effective thunder and lightning storm, before a dreamy collection of ethereal evening wear near floated down the runway. Beautiful butterfly embellishments, marabou feathers and plenty of sequins in gold and silver featured in a collection of striking silhouettes and gowns befitting royalty. His finale procession of ivory gowns in incredible fabrics was a perfect final moment for an amazing collection of luxurious garments.
Left to right – Jayson Brunsdon, Bowie
Day two of MBFWA was certainly a day of high glamour with so many sequins and stunning fabrics gracing the runway. It’s becoming pretty clear that the peplum is here to stay for Spring/Summer as are neon-brights. Day three opens with MBFWA favourite Lisa Ho showing offsite and closes with a dedicated menswear show made up the collections of no less than six designers.
– Evelyn Ebrey
Photo Credit: MBFWA Image Gallery