Australian designers are on a roll at the moment and are gaining some major traction internationally but sadly that isn't working out as a good thing for Australia's fashion week. Earlier on the week leading Australian designers Josh Goot and Dion Lee both decided to pull out of the schedule only two weeks before the event begins.
The move is reportedly to ensure that they are focusing on the international fashion cycle rather than having to fit the Australian dates in too. 'This is the right decision for the Josh Goot brand, business and team. We've had an amazing response to spring/summer 2012, and I think it's important that we consolidate our position, rather than rush into a new collection to show at MBFWA,' Goot explained. 'The entire studio and I want to focus on the new Resort collection without the distraction of a show.'
Lee on the other hand said that it's important for him to focus on preparing to show at London Fashion Week again rather than spreading himself to thin. That aside, it couldn't be anymore complimentary to Australian Fashion Week for supporting his career. 'I have presented solo shows at Australian Fashion Week for the past three years and each of these have been of great benefit to my business in terms of building its profile on a local and international level.'
Sydney just finished hosting the 15th Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - and since Australia is in the midst of autumn now, designers showed off their Spring/Summer 2010-11 collections. As Fashionista points out, it's nice to see clothes come down the runway...that are actually appropriate for (our) season at hand.
Fashionista kept tabs of all the happenings down under, pointing out the strong points for both fashion (swimwear - especially retro maillots and teeny bikinis) and cocktail conversation. Case in point: Aboriginal model Samantha Harris stormed at least 18 shows, plus nabbed the June cover shot for Vogue Australia (the same significance as our September issue). That's the first time in 17 years that the magazine featured an aboriginal model.
You might want to watch out for Dion Lee, who just showed his second collection at the Sydney Opera House. Tim Blanks said, for Vogue Australia: “Lee deflected the weight of expectation with a flawless presentation that earned him a niche in fashion’s Generation Next, alongside the likes of fellow twenty-somethings Marios Schwab and Proenza Schouler.” On the not-so-bright side, some members of press saw Phoebe Philo's work for Celine ripped off a bit too literally on the runway.
Ending on a good note, Ksubi closed RAFW to great praise, in what many are considering a beautiful comeback show. The label nearly went under but was saved in the eleventh hour with a new owner. This is the first time in three years that Ksubi showed at RAFW. And here's hoping the brand is back next time around.
Rosemount Australian Fashion Week kicked off in Sydney today, and as always, we like to see what's happening on the runway and backstage. If the first round of pictures are to be believed, you're either supposed to dress like a sorbet swirl or slink around in something revealing.
