The 17th annual event is more than a launching platform for labels and designers to showcase their summer collections.
The program is packed with more than 150 events including; styling seminars, business workshops, free daily catwalk shows, exhibitions and the glamour of the nightly designer shows at Melbourne Town Hall.
Then the fun really begins at the MSFW After Dark events in the stylish cocktail bars of Melbourne.
(Main – Green With Envy)
Dannii Minogue was the ambassador of MSFW and first appeared sporting a new pixie inspired haircut. Sophie Van Den Akker was the star of the catwalk and she easily cemented her position as the Face of MSFW.
Let’s talk trends
Loud, bold colour was the biggest trend that swept across the entire week.
Orange was the stand-out colour of the week and crossed over into all key pieces for summer.
It is still in touch with the massive Colour Blocking trend that has swept the globe, however this summer is about choosing one key stand-out colour and accessorising with other bright shades.
(Left to Right-White Suede, Arnsdorf, SABA, Yeojin Bae)
The summer dress has gone a step further than the maxi dress and has become a more structured flowing garment with added pleats for a more designer edge.
Lady Ga Ga has played a major influence in cocktail dresses with designers adding pointed shoulders, lace and funky detail for a very individual look.
Bright suede chunky wedges and high heels with crossover angle straps are the key in summer footwear trends.
(Left to Right – Obus, Gorman, Bettina Liano)
For the guys:
The menswear trends came thick and fast with some really exciting looks emerging.
One show-stopping piece was a Jack London blue sequined jacket with red feathered shoulders – WOW – not for the fashion faint hearted.
The two big colours in men’s suits were the cool shade of ice blue and cream. For a street look, Jack London teamed the cream suit with silver shoes for added punch.
Menswear had a touch of the loud colour trend but it was in the accessories with bright coloured ties and pocket squares to add a touch of panache.
Race day colours for the men are pink and green. Sandals are the key footwear piece for summer with Trimpanee gave a modern twist to the classic Roman Sandal by adding thin crossover straps that continued up the leg to wrap around the bottom of summer pants.
By Craig Lawson – FashioNZ’s Melbourne correspondent.
Pictures by Lucas Dawson Photography