You might be wondering why I haven’t been posting lately, and I’m not sure exactly why either… but I guess I haven’t been inspired. There’s a lot happening in the world at the moment and I feel that’s more important than the stuff I usually post about. Nevertheless, it’s also important to provide some cheer in an otherwise difficult time.
L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival is on until 20 March. Monday was the launch, which was quite different this year as it was open to mere mortals like… me! In previous years, the launch was an exclusive event at Government House. Though they did have a Program Launch at Government House in February. The change of the runway launch is attributed to Grant Pearce, LMFF Creative Director. In his first year, Grant has introduced new events, greater variety and more targeted business offerings. Or so he says. Reviews of opening night have been mixed, you can read about it here or here.
Now you might be wondering where I was? I do love fashion, but I’m not a fashion follower, in a traditional sense. I wear things that I like and have a certain style (stylish but not trendy). I still wear pieces (fashion language darrrr-linnng) I’ve had for years! I’m proud of Australian fashion and love some of our labels, but our Fashion Festival isn’t really that exciting.
GASP.
Well, that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it… for this minute.
The Melbourne Fashion Festival is not like the Fashion Weeks of Europe or New York or even our Australian Fashion Week, which is just before the other international fashion weeks. The designers are not showcasing their Autumn/Winter collection, it’s more like showcasing the brand to the consumers.
Why do I think it’s a bore?
Well, at the Louis Vuitton Fall RTW in Paris a few weeks ago, Marc Jacobs (one of my design heroes) pulled no holds bar (is that the phrase? I’m bad at these).
The stage was a feat in and of itself, complete with four working lifts, a porter for each, and a staircase on each side. It could’ve been an expensive hotel, circa the forties, and a delightful dream. Not just that, all the legendary models came out from hiding to walk for him.
images: Style.com
Check out Naomi Campbell, Amber Valletta, Carmen Kass, Carolyn Murphy still able to strut their stuff (see the cute ‘realistic’ porters in the background), but best of all Kate Moss, who after ten years still knew how to captivate a crowd being the anti. Apparently when she first started she was the anti-supermodel of the time and in 2011 Kate strutted the catwalk smoking a cigarette on the UK anti-smoking day! Yep. It’s okay, Kate was in Paris.
Check out the video.
To me, smoking on the catwalk seemed slightly passé. Maybe she is too. What do you think?
See, this is what I love about fashion, so contradictory and frivolous, but most of all it’s exciting and entertaining and where would I be without it? That’s what the Melbourne Fashion Festival should aim to be. Hear that Grant? (I hope he actually doesn’t, I would be mortified if he actually read this.)
What do you think of the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival? Will you be going to any of the shows?
The Amilia Affair 