Category Archives: LFW Style

Who’s Who at FASHFEST 2015!

FASHFEST Designer Line-up 2015

By Wendy Johnson (for LFW)

What goes on inside a fashion designer’s mind? Where do they get their inspiration? How do they decide on fabric, colour, or detail? It’s such an interesting study and so much more than the ability to sew. The designers selected for FASHFEST 2015 (13 to 16 May) form part of that study. The fresh faces couldn’t be more diverse if they tried. Most hail from the capital and others from interstate—including Melbourne, Tasmania and Cooma—and, for the first time, overseas (New Zealand).

Stunning colours and printed fabrics are huge this year, especially with designers inspired by cultural diversity such as MirandaSAKHINO, a contemporary label that represents an equal fusion of African and Western fashion. Designer Miranda Seakgosing’s designs include versatile day and evening wear that appeal to modern, polished cosmopolitan women who love functional, and timeless fashion.

Popping colour by Miranda Sakhino

Popping colour by Miranda Sakhino

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FASHFEST is Back in 2015!

The Canberra fashion event of the year is back with new Faces, a new venue, and bigger and better than ever! And the Faces of FASHFEST were announced this week!

Faces of Fashfest 2015 

By Wendy Johnson (for LFW)

They’re young. They’re fresh. They’re beautiful. And they’re trembling with excitement.

The new Faces of FASHFEST 2015, Hannah Claire McKenzie and Ken Scruton, were slightly stunned when told they had been selected out of  a record-breaking model casting call to represent Canberra’s pre-eminent annual fashion event at the highest level. But they soon got over it and within a matter of days were at their first launch, sporting smart black and white FASHFEST t-shirts and posing in front of a brand new Audi in a large photographic studio at Canberra Institute of Technology.

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Peace and calm in a Zen Garden

with Annie Storey Garden Art

Want a gorgeous garden but can’t even grow a cactus? Ever been to the Old Bus Depot Markets and marvelled at the gorgeous water fountains and garden artistry that looks like it’s made from copper pipes? Well, that’s because it is copper pipes—old, discarded copper piping, hot water systems, downpipes, fridge and gas tubing, electrical wiring, and any other scrap metal. This beautiful garden art is designed and made by local artist Annie Storey in her workshop just outside Canberra.

Lotus blossom fountain

Lotus blossom fountain

LFW caught up with Annie, and asked ‘why garden art from scrap metal’?

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Congratulations Sash & Belle!

and Happy First Birthday!

LFW loves handbags, and spends a lot of time drooling over the Sash & Belle collection. So far we own two gorgeous Sash & Belle bags—a beautiful blue tote and eye-catching hot pink bag, but there’s always room for more! And, we’re thrilled to join the celebrations for Sash & Belle’s first birthday, and wish them loads of success in 2015!

To celebrate this occasion Sash & Belle is having a birthday sale! Get onto their website, choose your fave bag and type in coupon code birthday to get a 30 per cent site wide discount. How’s that for a great deal!

www.sash-belle.com.au - birthday sale!

http://www.sash-belle.com.au – birthday sale!

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FASHFEST 2015—So You Want to be a Model?

So you want to be a model?

FF model call out

Not tall enough? Not thin enough? Think again! FASHFEST 2015 has put the call out for all runway models, and you don’t have to be 6 feet tall or a size 6.  FASHFEST organisers, Andrea and Clint Hutchinson, are once again auditioning men and women of any size, any nationality, and any age.

No experience is necessary but all models must walk in front of a panel of judges and be assessed on their presentation and confidence on the runway. All models should bring a printed head-shot to the audition, and females must have a pair of heels.

FASHFEST 2015 Model Casting, National Convention Centre, Sunday 1 February 10am

Models must pre-register for casting at models@fashfest.com.au

 

Rockstars and Royalty gowns from FASHFEST 2014

Rockstars and Royalty gowns from FASHFEST 2014

FASHFEST started out in 2013 and is the biggest fashion event held in Canberra, and getting bigger and better every year. The event includes talented local designers and CIT graduates as well as students from the University of Canberra Faculty of Art and Design, and The Australian National University School of Art.

FASHFEST 2014 broke the mould with models aged from 17 to 80 years, and included plus sizes across the board. We saw gorgeous gowns, clothes and accessories for all ages, menswear, millinery and everything in-between parade on the runway to great music from local bands and DJs.

Character fashions for the 'young at heart' from FASHFEST 2014

Character fashions for the ‘young at heart’ from FASHFEST 2014

FASHFEST 2015 will be held over four nights from 13 – 16 May at a brand new location! Put this in your diary now!

Menswear on a roll from Perpetually Five at FASHFEST 2014

Menswear on a roll from Perpetually Five at FASHFEST 2014.

Hijab House Fashion  from FASHFEST 2014. Photo by Avon Dissanayake

Hijab House Fashion from FASHFEST 2014. Photo by Avon Dissanayake

Shoes by Pure Pod model at FASHFEST 2014

Shoes by Pure Pod model at FASHFEST 2014

Photos from FASHFEST 2014 by LFW unless indicated

http://www.fashfest.com.au

All Tied Up with Christian James

There’s something about a man in a good suit that always appeals, and Christiaan Rankin, owner of the brand new Canberra fashion label Christian James, is here to help all you guys to take wearing a suit up that extra notch. Christiaan didn’t win this year’s Canberra Melbourne Cup Male Classic Fashion on the Field without some idea of how to pull the whole suit wearing thing together. So, if you want a touch of class—read on.

Melbourne Cup Fashion on the Field (Canberra) 4 November 2014. Photo Canberra Times

Melbourne Cup Fashion on the Field (Canberra) 4 November 2014. Photo Canberra Times

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Bag Me Up!

Do you know your handbag says a lot about your personality? I’m not sure what mine says other than I carry too much stuff around!

When I was working my handbags were mostly black to fit in with the business/corporate image; now I’m footloose and fancy free I can go wild and choose a bag with a colour that fits my mood—cornflower blue for calm days, hot watermelon for days I want to be noticed, and bright sunny yellow to lift everyone’s mood. And now, you don’t have to be millionaire to have a bag to suit every outfit—or mood—you just need to get acquainted with Sash & Belle!

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What’s the Fashion-Nation with Cooma?

Fifteen year old Charly Thorn is showcasing her young and vibrant designs at Cooma’s FASHION-NATION event this Saturday.

Article from the Cooma-Monaro Express by Tina Zunic http://www.coomaexpress.com.au/ 

MOVE over Alex Perry and Collette Dinnigan, a new and upcoming Australian designer will soon be dominating the catwalks with her vibrant designs and bold statement pieces. Check out teenage fashion talent Charly Thorn who is designing bold and exciting pieces for ages 12 – 18.

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Boy meets Girl—both meet pallets!

Bringing back the glamour to old wood pallets

I’ve got two wood delivery pallets propped up against the side fence. They’ve been there for ages—and every time I look at them I say to myself ‘I could do something with those’ and if I were imaginative, motivated, crafty and all the rest—I could, but for now I’ll just be inspired by the gorgeous range of pallet furniture from boyandgirlco.

boyandgirlco

boyandgirlco

Partners in life Anita Jones and Carlo Angelo Malaca were dining one evening at Kitchen by Mike in Sydney and fell in love with the raw wood furniture, and decided there and then to completely change their life by adopting a more sustainable—reuse and recycle—lifestyle. After doing a bit of internet research on carpentry, they bought some basic tools, found some pallets, and created their first piece. Family and friends who saw the furniture started to place orders, then they started to sell to clients with a similar philosophy and who loved the raw handcrafted pieces. boyandgirlco was founded when Anita and Carlo went against the old adage ‘don’t give up your day job’ and quit their corporate environment.

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Warm and Cosy at Assemblage Project

Popped into Assemblage Project on Lonsdale Street and caught 4 Minutes 33 designer Gemma in a gorgeous soft and snugly Wendy Voon cardigan/jacket. The soft grey jacket is made from 100 per cent pure Merino wool and can be worn a number of different ways—just turn it upside down for a whole new look! Gemma was also wearing a gorgeous black pendant by Canberra designer Andie Meredith—setting off another Wendy Voon piece beautifully.

Gemma of 4 Minutes 33 models Wendy Voon cardigan/jacket - photo by LFW

Gemma of 4 Minutes 33 models Wendy Voon cardigan/jacket – photo by LFW

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