One of the first things I thought was what am I going to wear?! I was going to be attending the opening fashion show so I wanted to be comfortable and stylish while still being myself. In the end I left my outfit choice till the last minute. Since I had a limited budget I decided to use some pieces I already had and to buy a new top and bag because, let's face it, you always feel more confident in a new outfit, right?!
I left Adelaide on Monday (March 18) morning and soon arrived in a rainy Melbourne. I had arranged to stay with some family friends who were there to pick me up. My adventure had begun!
On the way from the airport we drove past the city where I noticed a large ferris wheel being assembled which reminded me of the London Eye.The buildings were tall and the roads were chaotic.The rain had now cleared and the sun was peeping through the clouds. I was already falling in love with Melbourne!
We soon arrived at the house which was located ten minutes from the city and just one street back from the beach - perfect! I used that day to settle in, catch up with friends and take a walk down to the beach and around the neighbour-hood, because tomorrow would be when it all begins...
The next day I enjoyed the sunny weather, and begun getting ready in the late afternnon; the show wasn't until 9.30 that night so I could take my time. I had my hair straight and down. I was wearing my new red leather peplum top, black pants, Versace heels, and new Zu leather handbag. I was ready! The taxi arrived just after 8.30 and I was off. By this point I was nervous and excited; I didn't know what to expect and I was on my own. Half way to the venue I realised I had forgotten to put my (red) lipstick on. To make matters worse all I had was the reflection in my iPhone camera and faded street lights to help me.We pulled up and all I was hoping was that I didn't look like a clown getting out of the taxi. Luckily enough I didn't receive any weird looks and made my way to 'door one' and joined the line up.
After waiting in line for about 15 minutes the doors opened. I showed my ticket to the man and proceeded in to what seemed like another world. There were people everywhere; waiters handing out complimentary drinks, friendly volunteers, photographers, fashionably dressed men and women everywhere...it was surreal.I took my seat in the front row (I know! As if being in Melbourne for one of the biggest fashion festivals in the world wasn't already enough, I was now sitting on the boarder of the runway!).
The show began fashionably late at 9.50 with Jessica Gomes opening the show in Mary Katrantzou, an English designer who is known as the Queen of Prints. The designs that followed were all Australian.
All of the following photos are mine, taken on my iPhone.
Jessica Gomes wearing Mary Katrantzou
One of the highlights of my night was seeing Samantha Harris, an Indigenous Australian model. Above she models a gorgeous Ginger and Smart dress.
My favourite dress from Collette Dinnigan
Bianca Spender
Bassike
Alice McCall
Another from Mary Katrantzou. You can see why she is known as the Queen of Prints.
Romance Was Born
My favourite designer at the moment - Camilla
Finale`
The following two days I was lucky enough to attend another two runway shows and three business seminars. The first seminar was The Designers Universe (image below) where six guest panelists were interviewed by Glynis Traill-Nash (a highly regarded fashion writer and commentator). The panel consisted of Yeojin Bae (Australian designer), David Botta (Director of Kuba Retail Partners), David Baskin (CEO of sass & bide), Kelvin Harries (Freelance Stylist and Creative Director), Al Weekes (Creative Director), and Adam Worling (Director at AWPR).
The second seminar was The Fashion Media Landscape Transformation (image below) also hosted by Glynis Traill-Nash. The panel consisted of Rae Begley (Founder and Director of Little Hero), Janice Breen Burns (Fashion Journalist and Author), Melissa Hoyer (Fashion and Media Commentator), Edwina McCann (Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia), Kim Wilson (Executive Fashion Editor for Herald Sun), and Damien Woolnough (Fashion Editor of The Australian Newspaper and soon to be Deputy Editor of Elle Magazine Australia). It is safe to say I learnt a lot from these amazingly talented speakers. I was most star-struck by Edwina McCann - what a career to have; working as Editor at Vogue!
The final and most educational seminar was The Business Seminar hosted by David Meagher (Editor of WISH Magazine). There were ten guests/speakers over the day but the one that stood out to me most was fashion illustrator Bil Donovan (pictured below). He has worked with Vogue Australia, L'Oreal, Vanity Fair, the list goes on. He is currently an ambassador for Dior and is Christian Dior Beauty's first ever artist-in-residence. During his time at the seminar he spoke of his career and did a live demonstration of his work painting a model in several different positions. He was a true inspiration.
Soon after the seminar finished I caught the tram back to my friends house to pack my things. My flight was that night and my adventure was slowly coming to an end. That day during the seminar lunch break I bought Kirstie Clements' new book 'The Vogue Factor', I began reading it on the plane ride home and I was instantly wisked off into another world yet again. There's something about the world of fashion that fascinates me and draws me in. It's magical, fast passed, full of glamourous people, and above all it's inspiring.
Thank you Melbourne, and thank you to all those special people who made it possible xoxo
