Caitlin, 17, Student

I am wearing a vintage dress from Episode on Sydney Road. I just bought the petticoat underneath this morning from the Camberwell Market.  My belt is from a shop in the Walk Arcade, my bag is from H & M in France and my shoes are from a cheap shoe store. My scarf is from the Camberwell Market as well.

Anna, 26, Phd Student (left)

I am wearing a 50s floral dress from a garage sale. I got mt cardigan from ebay.

Victoria, 25, Artist (right)

I bought my 60s capris from ebay and my top is from the opshop.

 Ooohhh sale…. and how can a girl can’t resist a good sale? Not me for sure.

Bettina Liano is having a huge warehouse clearance sale at a temporary store, 210 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, commencing this Friday 18 September 2009 for two weeks. A little birdy has also told me that the O jean range and samples will be available too!

Last week I attended Killer Queen, the most original fashion ’parade’ I have seen in a while. Presented by Thread Den the playful and cheeky show was full of laughs and a huge array of original designs from emerging Australian designers. 

Drawing inspiration from high society, Killer Queen featured ballet and contemporary dancers and musicians clothed in garments from Bridbird, Bronzen Temple Prints, Bryce Newton, Curious Llama, East of Grey, Fine Cloth, Girl-Friendly, Jolet, Joolipa, Leonie, Mint Slice Afternoons, My Sister Pat, Peta Pledger, Petticoat Conspiracy, Samantha Sultana, She Said Yoo Hoo, Shotbolt, Side Show Design, Suga*n*spice and Truth.Be.Told.

The theatrical show comprised of various skits including girls getting dolled up, madly adjusting their stockings and outfits before acknowledging the crowd and auditioning dancers performing in front of the Killer Queen to his distaste.

Held at the Melbourne Lithuanian Club, it was an entertaining way to view Thread Den’s summer range. This was not surprising with Thread Den itself being a highly innovative retail concept. Australia’s first combined retail space and sewing lounge, Thread Den offers both local and vintage garments and the ability to rent machines and have lessons.

After the show, attendees got to have a drink at the Lithuian club and met designers and the cast. I took a few snaps of the crowd…

Suzy, 29, Marketing Manager

I am wearing Commes Des Garcons. My Boots are Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garcons (see below).

Laura, 23, Manager

I am wearing a Natasha fur gilet. My dress is Bettina Liano and my boots are Dries Van Noten. My bag is Hermes.

Rachel, 23, Manager

I am wearing a Bettina Liano top and pants. My shoes are from Giallo

Michelle, 20, Retail

I am wearing a white lace body suit from Zimmermann, my pants and top are from Bettina Liano.

Jade, 28, Writer

I am wearing an Insight jacket, Lover dress and Stella McCartney leggings. I am twittering for Marie Claire.

Carolina, 19, Student

I am wearing a Forever New top, a pair of Decjuba pants and shoes from Scooter.

Jolita, 38, Beauty Therapist

I am wearing Forever New and Decjuba too. My shoes are from Wittner (see below)

Gabi, 21, Retail

I am wearing a Sass and Bide top and  Ksubi shorts. My jacket is second hand and my shoes are Peep Toe. My rings and jewellery are from all over the place.

As promised here are some of  the photos I took during Melbourne Spring Fashion week.

Kathy, 30, Sales Executive

My jacket is Marc Jacobs, my jeans are Lee and my shoes are from New York.

Camille (right), 24, Actress/Artist

I am wearing my nanna’s golf pants, a boobtube from my old dress up box, a fur piece on my head and feather eyelashes from New York.

Rebekah, 22, Stylist

I am wearing mostly vintage. I have an online vintage shop.

Bridie, 21, Student/Milliner

I am wearing a combination of things I made myself and from op shops. I study fashion design.

Alexia, 27, Events Manager

I am wearing a Zimmermann dress, a jacket from Very Very and tights from Italy. My bag is from overseas.

Well, if you want to know what the funky alternative hipster in Melbourne will be wearing this summer the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Designer Series Show 4 was the place to go. With a line up of Alpha60, Arnsdorf, Fat, Gary Bigeni,  ANT!PODIUM,  Obus and TV, the final Designer Series Show showcased a range of edgy designs with a real Melbourne vibe.

In many ways it was quite appropriate that the final show for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week involved these predominantly Melbourne designers and retailer (all with the exception of Gary Bigeni and Antipodium are from Melbourne). The show had an avant-garde edge with varying silhouettes and featured a more sombre colour palette with minimal prints. Androgenous models graced the catwalk with cripped hair giving them a ‘mullet like’ effect. Probably won’t be trying that look at home.

By the way, I have to make a big call out to Brett Robson, an amazing photographer and his girlfriend, and say thank you.  They must have seen me staring quizzically throughout the week at the dials of my 1 week old  camera and taken pity on me. After spending 5 seconds (no I am not kidding) with my camera he changed the settings, subsequently improving the quality of my photos on the night around one hundred-fold. He will be posting photographic and video highlights from Melbourne Spring Fashion Week on his flickr site this week. All I can say is I am still learning and hopefully improving…. slowly!

Alpha60 opened the show with an ankle length, draped number. The colours were muted with grey featuring heavily.

Arnsdorf was up next showing one of the more feminine ranges for the night. Her range was inspired by ice skaters and parachutists and the risks they take. The collection was full of desirable pieces for the girl about town including cut out, crop tops and high waisted pants. Jade Sarita Arnott along with Gary Bigeni and Geoffrey J Finch (Antipodium) were part of the top ten to watch as labelled by Vogue Australia after RAFW. Jade, who was also photographed by Garance Dore, while she was in town, is definetly one of the hot youngs things at the moment.

Fat was next showcasing some the labels they stock. A retailor so innately Melbourne it is clear they understand the Melbourne fashion consumer very well - who can forget their original shop on 52 Johnston Street - Fat 52? I would jump off the bus on my way to uni just to fondle their beautiful stock. Also in their show was the Make Believe rose necklaces which seem to be everywhere at the moment. With the Melbourne Connex blue and yellow trains running in the background they made sure we never forgot that we were right here in Melbourne.

Following Fat was Gary Bigeni’s draped masterpieces showing amazing technique. Twisting and turning the fabric in ways I didn’t think possible.

 Antipodium’s strong and sexy collection included chambray shirts and pants, florals paired with biker boots and set off with Make Believe’s cool jewellery. As with the other designers during the night  it was less about following certain fashion trends but focusing on their own independent looks. It is no surprise that many of the labels at the Designer Series 4 have a strong cult following.

 Designer Kylie Zerbst love affair with the Obus travelling woman continued. Trench coats with a twist and shorts all reinforced this theme. But what I really loved were the sequin pieces which added a bit of colour to the night.

Closing the show was TV, another label touted as a ‘label to love’ by Vogue Australia. Quirky and left of centre Ingrid and Monika’s untraditional approach included the use of mustard and burgandy and caped ‘TV’ crusaders fleeing the runway following the show.

While waiting for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week’s Designer Series Show 4 to start I grabbed some photos of some absolutely fabulous Melbournians out and about.

By Rebecca Young

The 80’s, it’s the decade that taste forgot right?  Not if last nights parade is anything to go by with the likes of designers Arthur Gallard, Bettina Liano, Jack London, Leopold, Nevenka, Nicola Finetti and Wayne Cooper all drawing heavily from the decade.

Arthur Gallan AG kicked events off showing several draped playsuits and belted chiffon dresses in jewel colours of emerald and sapphire.  The women’s wear collection remained floaty and feminine with chiffon, silk  and satin creating a loose unstructured silhouette - the one exception being a leather halter dress.  Gallan’s men’s wear collection in contrast was much bolder with bright printed shirts and ties and monochrome suits with contrasting piping detail on lapels.

Next up was Nevenka who opened with a ruffled bronze dress teamed with arguably the nights most eye catching footwear - a pair of Swarovski crystal encrusted wedges which my inner drag queen was strangely drawn to.  The collection also incorporated high wasted shorts, chiffon blouses, and layered black and white tulip skirts. 

Nylon Frocks by Nicola Finetti followed and was a stand out for me.  This collection is not for the faint hearted (or anyone who likes a pie or two) with form fitting asymmetric bodycon dresses with risqué cut out detailing on both the back and front .  More wearable pieces included waistcoats and a rather tasty jacket dress with side pocket detailing

Next was Leopold whose collection was unashamedly a nod to the 80’s with white suits, oversized double breasted jackets and halter neck swim wear as daywear all making an appearance on the runway.  Leopold’s use of colour  was refreshing with flashes of bright corals amongst  a largely white base

Bettina Liano was next up and showed an interesting collection.  A few of my personal favourites include the classic white v necked ‘opera dress’ with a tulip skirt and side pocket detailing and the black blazer with puffed sleeves. 

Jack London followed showing a collection of men’s tailoring with a quirky twist.  Suits were mainly white or neutral in tone, but it was accessories that really caught the eye with pillar box red shoes, ties and glasses all making their presence felt.  Perhaps accessories rather than clothes maketh the man?   

Wayne Cooper rounded things off and never known for his subtlety  took the 80’s vibe up a notch by using that old Robert Palmer classic ‘Addicted to Love’ as his tune of choice.  Cooper’s collection consisted largely of the glamorous chiffon and satin party dresses in a palate of neon’s which are sure to score big with his fan base. 

Guess what? I have a lovely surprise. Rebecca Young, a gorgeous melbourne fashionista I have met in my travels has agreed to contribute to Melbourne Fashionista beginning with writing a review on last night’s Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Design Series Show 3. Rebecca has plenty of fashion credentials designing for her accessories label Bobby met Whitney, styling shoots and writing about, what else… fashion. As a kid she used to curate her own fashion shows for a sycophantic audience of immediate family and kindly neighbours.  As an adult nothing much has changed, she is still obsessed with all things fashion. In her words she is ‘essentially still playing in the dressing up box’. After living in London for 8 years she is going to share some of her adventures…