Hitting the second catwalk of second of the official Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) fashion parades, Dhini opened with a march and salute that proved that the military fashion trend is equally as strong for Spring/Summer 2009/2010 in Melbourne as it has been elsewhere.
Though fashion trends didn't prove be a major reference point for all designers involved.
[ Click to read 'Melbourne Spring Fashion Week; Town Hall Parade 2' ]
Forever New have long been a brand keen on bringing a touch of the British high street to Australian shoppers, and their Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) catwalk proved no different.
[ Click to read 'Forever New Spring / Summer 2009 / 2010; MSFW' ]
The Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) series of official catwalks returned to the Melbourne Town Hall last night in a show that presented women's Spring/Summer 2009/2010 clothes and accessories which, for the most part, absconded from structure and, instead, depended on flow and layers to make a statement.

Gwendolynne Spring 2009 at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week courtesy Peter Downing
[ Click to read 'Melbourne Spring Fashion Week; Town Hall Parade 1' ]
While events such as tonight's official catwalk may garner the most attention, fashion in Melbourne is best consumed on the city's streets and down it's lane-ways (a fact that Colonial First State remains selectively ignorant of). So it was that, with the MSFW (Melbourne Spring Fashion Week) opening party out of the way, I headed to the oft overlooked Crossley Street for the Spring / Summer launch of Madam Virtue & Co. couture collection.
[ Click to read 'Madam Virtue & Co. Spring 2009; MSFW' ]
Sitting at the David Jones Spring/Summer 2009/2010 collection launch, and we don't have to wait long for the show's drawcard - Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr - to appear. Kerr opens the show in a tribal print maxidress by Thurley; beautiful yet unassuming, and a sign of the theme of the show to come; while a soundtrack of Australian bird noises fades out to reveal Icehouse's 1982 anthem "Great Southern Land".
The theme of the show is Great Southern Summer; the intention, to capture the spirit and essence of an Australian summer through fashion. The music of the show goes a long way to gelling it together, with Australian artists like Hunters & Collectors, Sia, Jet - even a smooth, dreamy cover of Men At Work's "Land Down Under" - blaring through the speakers.
[ Click to read 'Miranda Kerr at David Jones S/S 2009, Melbourne' ]
Walking the runway today at David Jones Spring/Summer 2009 collection launch was the ever-gorgeous Miranda Kerr. Our full coverage from the parade will be up soon - in the meantime here's an on-the-go iPhone snap of Miranda at this morning's event press call.

[ Click to read 'Miranda Kerr at David Jones - coming soon' ]
Few can make a minidress as sharp, strong, and sexy as can Nicola Finetti. Finetti's Spring/Summer 2009/2010 collection parade at this year's RAFW served to further cement his place as an apple of the Australian fashion world's eye; his gorgeous minidresses eclipsed only by some floor-length gowns with intricate ruffle detailing. As well as the photo coverage from the show, you can now also view a video of the parade below.
[ Click to read 'Nicola Finetti Spring/Summer 2009/10 runway video' ]
Aptly titled 'Exotic Goddess', the latest collection from high-street brand Forever New was a colourful foray into Grecian draping, tropical prints, and exotic statement jewellery. Floor-length maxi dresses came in a variety of styles; while tiny body-con dresses in multicolour stripes will be the cocktail wear of many a young pretty thing this Spring.
[ Click to read 'Forever New: Exotic Goddess, Spring 2009' ]
Cheap Monday is a label that, seemingly, can do little wrong; many a fashioniser has indulged in their denim, and few have any negatives the level against the brand. Having met people's expectations thus far, the Swedish brand is looking to raise the bar. Enter London based designer Ann-Sofie Back whose Spring/Summer 2010 runway collection is her debut for the brand.
And what a debut it is! Street fashion in every sense, the collection features both men's and women's pieces that simply ooze fashion trends.
[ Click to read 'Cheap Monday Spring/Summer 2010 pictures' ]
As the Men's 2010 Spring/Summer runways continue, John Galliano brings an eclectic and highly ethnic inspired set of outfits with his Spring/Sumer 2010 collection.
From the far reaches of the Middle East to the distant history of British India, Galliano takes global inspirations and does what he does best: costumery. Galliano's man starts off in turbans, sandals, and earthy tones of brown, mustard and burnt orange; before traversing more tailored looks that bear to mind Imperial Britain. As with his previous collection, Galliano also dabbles in some military detailing. Modern sneakers and combat gear in some cases snap the looks back to present day reality; but the overall feeling of historical costume remains.
[ Click to read 'John Galliano Men's Spring/Summer 2010' ]