Flowers. Bursts of colours. Wonderful fragrances. The season has shifted and Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, is in full bloom. By the LFW Team.

Flowers often inspire fashion designers, including several who will soon wow guests with new collections at FASHFEST. The capital’s red-carpet fashion event has shifted its timing on the annual social calendar and, for the first time, is being held during Floriade (29 September to 1 October). We thought it would be fun to ask designers about flowers and their work. A surprising number are incorporating flowers into their shows—some as a main feature and some as an accent.

Pure Pod’s designer, Kelli Donovan, is collaborating with Canberra-based botanical design studio, Field & Coppice. The studio is owned by Lauren Anderson whose design aesthetic is underpinned by a love of Australian native flora. Another collaboration is between designer Yumi Morrissey, from Zilpah tart, and Peony N’ Pearl. We can’t give the details away but promise a creative approach.

Eucalyptus leaves feature on the latest print by Kira Pizzingrilli, who appears at FASHFEST for the first time this year. Kira is an emerging Central Coast-based women’s clothing and textile print label. Her ‘Unearth’ collection pays homage to the 90s Aussie beach style and celebrates the raw beauty of our bushland.

Rasa Mauragis, also making her debut, will feature ecoprints of local plants found in the Snowy Region, where she lives. Some fabrics showcase the foliage print and have also been dyed using plant pigments. Rasa shares the catwalk with two Cooma designers—Charly Thorn and Elle Hopwood. Elle can’t wait to present a dress she’s designed with flowers stitched to the bottom.

Eder by Anna (image below), a tres chic label from Sydney, has a few pieces in her collection that are tulle with embroiled flowers. Can’t wait to see the results!  Designer Anna Smith is going to be a fav with her mix of sophisticated, sport lux, tailored pieces in bold and sophisticated colours with a decidedly French aesthetic.

 

 

We also have a sneak peek of a piece that will make an appearance in Megan Cannings Designs’ collection. Megan is fast building a reputation for her extravagant custom-made gowns, which appeared at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival (Brisbane), emerging category. One garment she’ll showcase features large fabric flowers. She’s also using large lace flowers and her tiaras feature flowers.

Naomi Peris Bridal will launch a blue silk floral print cape on one of the wedding gowns she’ll present on the catwalk. This label encapsulates the modern, sexy bride with gowns handmade using French laces, intricate beading and fine tailoring. Jade Sargent, from one of Canberra’s most loved and well-known labels—Sovata—isn’t giving too much away, not wanting to ruin the surprise element, but she will be using white roses as a catwalk accessory.

Abstract flowers feature on bright, colourful shoes by local designer Penny Lovell, who owns fletcherLovell. Their spring collection is a conversation starter. Penny’s Spanish-made flats pop colour into life. They’re wearable art for the foot. Penny will host an exhibition of her shoes throughout FASHFEST, and you can catch her in the foyer.

FASHFEST 2016 is being held at the National Convention Centre Canberra 29 September to 1 October. Tickets, which start this year at $49, are on sale now: http://www.fashfest.com.au