In the surrounds of the Victorian majesty that is the Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2008 hit its stride yesterday evening when Sally Graham took to the catwalk and opened The Luxe Collective show.
As if proof that things haven’t gone quite smoothly for MSFW of late, a naming sponsor notably absent from this year’s line-up, it was a night where organisers tried to be somewhat different.
And nothing personified that attitude more than the attempt to dispel the notion that a catwalk must be a runway; rather the Town Hall shows kicked off not with a runway but a square catwalk which saw models enter the audience before disappearing back into the oft imagined world that is backstage.
Unsurprisingly for a Spring/Summer 2008/2009 show the The Luxe Collective parade oozed 2008 fashion trends, though admittedly even 2009 fashion trends were there; if only subtly.
Christie Spring/Summer 2008/2009
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Christie presented a collection replete with 2008′s sheer trend and 2009′s feather trend, with the latter modelled far right by Yasmine Staub.
Aurelio Costarella Spring/Summer 2008/2009
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Jayson Brunsdon Spring/Summer 2008/2009
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Jayson Brunsdon stood out on the evening for phenomenal details and amazing cuts.
Nevenka Spring/Summer 2008/2009
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Nevenka presented frills and florals, with a definite splash of paisleys giving the collection an elegant take on the foho trend.
Maticevski Spring/Summer 2008/2009
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Maticevski mixed the one-shoulder trend with the sheer trend for an amazingly commercial collection that’s just begging to be your next party dress!
White Suede Spring/Summer 2008/2009
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White Suede’s Spring/Summer 2008/2009 collection can be described as mix, but other words such as sexy, subtle, and amazingly detailed also spring to mind. Look out for key hole backs, and an amazing pair of lace tights (modelled right, above) as the stand out / knock out pieces.
Nicola Finetti Spring/Summer 2008/2009
Nicola Finetti presented some phenomenal sheer pieces that may have many a perky chest on display this summer, but it was the halter dress which was the stand out piece.
As for the catwalk? A good experiment, but one I hope isn’t repeated with any fervour. While it certainly has you stand up a take notice (was it just me, or did all the men lean forwards whenever a model in a sheer garment walk past?), it did nothing for the parade’s timing and pace. Models who normally ooze attitude and personality seemed to lose their motion while trying to traverse stairs and stage in their skyscraper heels. It also did nothing for the seating. Yes, this is a consumer show; but next time can I please be sat next to someone who doesn’t feel the need to take up half of my seat as well as their own?
