Tag Archives: FashFest

Illuminating Canberra!

When you buy a piece from Illuminate, you’re buying a piece of Canberra. Not just because the fashion designer behind local label Zilpah tart creates all her pieces here, but because the patterns are based around photos of three of our much-loved national institutions.

Radiance Dress – National Film and Sound Archive print

You must look closely at the patterns before it clicks, but that’s all part of the fun, says Yumi Morrissey, and Illuminate reflects what happens to the capital after dark.

The inspiration for Zilpah tart’s new autumn/winter 2017 collection came from an image Yumi took of the Torsional Wave at Questacon at Enlighten a few years back. She immediately saw a pattern in her head, using the electric blue coloured light that was projected onto the sculpture.

ZT Questacon Cross front dress in Lucent Blue print 1

Cross-front Dress in Questacon Lucent Blue print

Yumi manipulates her images on the computer to create a pattern, which is then digitally printed onto fabric. Patterns resulting from two other national institutions—the National Museum of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archives—are also part of Illuminate, with Yumi loving the bright orange entry wall at the museum and the vibrant rainbow colours projected onto the archives.

The garments Yumi has designed with her exclusive new patterns include her top sellers such as the T-shirt Dress and Cross Front Dress, but this time she has also introduced a line-up of skirts, tops and a spunky steel jacket made from metallic silver double knit stretch fabric. Her highly popular and easy-to-wear loop scarves are also available.

Steel jacket with dress in National Museum of Australia print

Illuminate isn’t the first collection to celebrate Canberra’s national icons. Yumi made waves in 2015 when she launched the Warrior collection at FASHFEST, with patterns based around Parliament House. She’s also launched collections around images she’s captured of other aspects of our beautiful capital, including Civic Fountain, Balloon Spectacular, glorious sunsets, vibrant autumn leaves, cherry blossoms and more. Have some fun and check out the fabric prints section of Yumi’s website, which displays all original photos, resulting patterns and garments made with the patterns. It’s fascinating!

Loop scarf in Coloured Light print

Zilpah tart has showcased at FASHFEST three times and is already thinking well ahead to 2017 where she’ll launch her spring/summer collection.

She’s also super busy getting ready to showcase Illuminate on the catwalk at the CARDIF Collective Fashion Alley show, to be held 8 April, Highgate Lane, Kingston. This charity event will also showcase autumn/winter collections by Hunter the Label, Fujinella, Hoon and Thunder Thighs. For more information, including on tickets: www.cardifcollective.com.au

National Film and Sound Archive image

Photo Credits: Model @tiza590, MUA @katiesaarikko, Photography Yumi Morrissey, Zilpah tart

Fashion in the Alley @ CARDIF

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Autumn has graced us with its presence. This change of season is exciting for the way the leaves change to brilliant oranges, reds and yellows, but also because it’s a chance to layer up and change the way we dress.

Zilpah Tart 2016 Collection

The first-ever CARDIF Collective Fashion Alley, to be held 8 April in Highgate Lane, Kingston, will celebrate the autumn/winter collections of five designers. The fashion show will style the service laneway into something magical, with the help of event experts Show Pony. Guests will be introduced to a new Canberra label by Bronwynne Jones, who designs for women who are perfectly pear shaped and proud of it. “Thunder Thighs is about fitting and flattering. If you love your shape, then focus on fit and flaunt it,” says Bronwynne, who has created a foundation wardrobe and pieces that add flair.

A new collection by Hoon will jazz up the runway with kid’s clothing. This up-cycled fashion label by artist Hanna Hoyne is delightful, colourful and unique. Hanna creates these special pieces from her design studio in CARDIF Collective.

While the fashion show focuses primarily on local designers, it also showcases the latest collection by Melbourne-based Fujinella, available in Canberra solely through CARDIF Collective. Fujinella focuses on monotones, making pieces easy to mix and match. They fit into any woman’s wardrobe and are delightful to wear.

Zilpah Tart new 2017 collection: Illuminate, using National Museum of Australia print

Two favourite designers showcased at FASHFEST 2016, Zilpah Tart and Hunter the Label, are launching new and exciting season collections. Armed with her camera, Yumi Morrissey has over time captured images of three of our cultural icons, manipulating them on her computer and then producing fabric. The pieces in Zilpah Tart’s Illuminate collection feature the National Museum of Australia, National Film and Sound Archives and Torsional Wave at Questacon.

Local fashion designer, Sara Wurker, was inspired to create her new season collection by a trip to Japan. Sara’s Hunter the Label focuses on quality fabrics and wearable designs that embody unassuming elegance. The Norwegian Wood collection promises to make a true statement on the catwalk.

Hunter the Label

Guests will also see shared segments showcasing pieces by many more designers who retail through CARDIF Collective.

The CARDIF Collective Fashion Alley is a charity event with proceeds from a live charity auction (Richard Luton of Luton Properties the auctioneer) going to the Heart Foundation. Proceeds from the silent auction will support domestic violence through the Lost and Found initiative by boyandgirlco.

A free art exhibition will also be held, with works by artists who create out of M16 Artspace.

Tickets for the CARDIF Collective Fashion Alley are on sale now. General entry tickets are $35. Gallery tickets are $50, VIP singles $70 and VIP tables are $250 for four and $350 for six. www.cardifcollective.com.au

It’s Vivid!

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Colour your World VIVID, by Wendy Johnson

Vivid is a word that describes perfectly the stunning colours of the leaves gracing the capital during autumn. And it’s a word that inspired Yumi Morrissey, the fashion designer behind Canberra’s independent label, Zilpah Tart, to get behind the lens of her camera to capture picture-perfect images she could use to design three new lines of fabric.

Vivid dress – also available in plain black

Vivid features a print with bright golden leaves Yumi discovered on trees in Yarralumla’s English Gardens. Another print features bold red leaves the designer discovered on trees while meandering through Diddams Close Park, Lake Ginninderra. And the third print—of a full tree image—was created around a shot Yumi took while in John Knight Memorial Park, also in Ginninderra.

Zilpah Tart’s three most popular styles of dresses are made in all three prints. For the colder weather (fast approaching) Yumi has adjusted her designs so some dresses and tops have long sleeves and she’s launching a new line of cape and outerwear.

Flared black cape – also available in red

Vivid loop scarves, which can be worn however your heart desires, are also part of the collection. “They’re light weight and an accessory in their own right,’ says the designer. “We wear a lot of solids in winter in the colder weather here in Canberra. These scarves easily add beautiful pops of colour.”

Vivid Loop scarf

The first time Yumi used her own photos to design her own fabrics representing special spots of Canberra was for the collection she launched at FashFest 2015. One pattern featured Australia’s very own Parliament House and a second the Civic Fountain. It was such a success that Yumi found herself wandering about with her camera in spring, capturing pretty blossoms at Tulip Top Gardens and Lennox Gardens for her Bloom Collection.

With Vivid, Yumi has manipulated the background colour of her photos, changing the blue sky to a grey scale, to form a colour palette that’s easier to wear in autumn and winter. “The grey is also a stunning contrast to the bright leaves on the autumn trees,” says Yumi.

l-r: Lava dress, T-shirt dress, Cowl neck dress

Vivid garments and scarves will be available at Cardif Collective, from Thursday 31 March (second level, Cusack Centre, Green Square, Kingston). Cardif Collective has the largest collection of independent, Australian fashion labels in the inner south. The Vivid collection also includes a gorgeous pencil skirt, and cowl neck top. Check out the full collection at www.zilpahtart.com.au

Vivid cross-front dress

Zilpah Tart products are also available online. Some, like Yumi’s handbags, cushions and scarves featuring the Parliament House pattern, are also sold through the gift shop, Parliament House.

Photography: Zilpah Tart

Make-up: Steph Church

Model: Rochelle Riley

FASHFEST 2016 NEWSFLASH!

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By Wendy Johnson

Designer applications are out, dates are locked in and in 2016 FASHFEST will hold more catwalk shows than ever before. The new dates for Canberra’s pre-eminent and largest fashion event are 29 September to 1 October.

FASHFEST 2015 – photo by Martin Ollman

Why the switch from May? Co-founder Clint Hutchinson says the change in dates was logical.

“We’re now aligned with Australia’s overall fashion calendar and the timing of ‘sister events’ such as the major weeks in Melbourne and Sydney,” says Clint. “And, let’s face it, September is warmer than May in the capital so guests can glam up, as they love to for FASHFEST, without shivering their way through the show.”

Another major change is the number of shows FASHFEST will host in 2016—six in total, with two each day. “The new dates also mean we have the time needed to prepare for the added shows. Each year we get stronger and the event gets more exciting. This year is no exception,” says Clint.

Once again, the event will be held at the National Convention Centre, powered by sound and lighting that will transform the space into something magical.

FASHFEST 2015 runway, National Convention Centre - photo by David Burke

FASHFEST 2015 catwalk, National Convention Centre – photo by David Burke

Designer applications are out now and due 14 February. Once again, FASHFEST is throwing its weight behind local designers as well as designers from interstate and overseas, focusing on independent labels. “Last year, we had 30 designers, including Melanie Child from New Zealand, who was a big ticket item on the catwalk,” says Andrea Hutchinson, Co-founder. “So we’re encouraging a wide range of designers to apply.”

FASHFEST 2015 – photo by Red Photography

“FASHFEST is young by Australian standards and we’re still growing and maturing, learning more and more all the time”, says Andrea. “We’ve come a long way in just three years and our ability to put on more shows during this, our fourth year, is possible because of how much we’ve progressed and the creative team working with Clint and I on the event.”

Let the fashion fun begin … !

LFW will keep you posted on events relating to FASHFEST as they unfold and we’ve already locked in the dates so we don’t miss out.

Fans should also follow the event on: www.fashfest.com.au https://www.instagram.com/fashfest/

https://www.facebook.com/fashfestcanberra

Get your hands on Hanny-d

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Hanny-d Creations is a tour de force in fashion, creating stunning garments from the most mundane of cast-offs, with op-shops and charity markets providing much of her inspiration. By Aine Dowling

Hanny Dewer, owner and designer at Hanny-d is passionate about sustainability in fashion and has been an avid recycler for most of her life. Hanny-d combines new and pre-loved in her unique one-off pieces and nothing goes to waste.

Gorgeous winter hoodie vest made from a recycled bedspread

Hanny-d Creations started in 2009 and has shown collections at FASHFEST in 2014 and RAW Canberra in 2015. Her style is simple and classic and incorporates vintage and retro to produce one-off conversation pieces—such as these gorgeous jacket/vests made from an old bedspread!

You can find Hanny-d Creations at Three Sixty Fashion Market, Hustle&Scout, and the Old Bus Depot Markets.

You can also find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hanny-d-Creations/164755510254910?fref=ts

Images of Hanny-d collection from FASHFEST 2014

FASHFEST Tickets on sale NOW!

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Tickets for Canberra’s most glamorous annual fashion event are on sale now and selling sizzling hot.

By Wendy Johnson (for LFW)

When asked why she wanted to participate in FASHFEST, even though it means lugging a mountain of garments and other paraphernalia all the way from Melbourne, Mariska Thynne didn’t skip a beat. The fashion designer behind the label The Professor’s Daughter, has a sister who lives in the capital—a sister who attended FASHFEST last year.

“My younger sister and I go to a lot of fashion events together, including in Melbourne and Sydney,” she says. “Last year she went to FASHFEST and told me how fabulous it was. She said it was more of a spectacle and a curated show, not just a parade.

FASHFEST is a spectacle. This year will see four days of entertainment, featuring new collections by more than 30 designers, worn by around 80 models walking to the beat of music by 14 live musicians, covering a wide range of genres, from rap to jazz. Read on to find out how this spectacle works, who pulls it together, and view the Faces of FASHFEST. Continue reading →

Who’s Who at FASHFEST 2015!

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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

Check out more designers here Continue reading →

FASHFEST 2015—So You Want to be a Model?

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So you want to be a model?

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

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

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.

Hijab House Fashion from FASHFEST 2014. Photo by Avon Dissanayake

Shoes by Pure Pod model at FASHFEST 2014

Photos from FASHFEST 2014 by LFW unless indicated

http://www.fashfest.com.au

Warm and Cosy at Assemblage Project

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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

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Corr Blimey! Designer jeans made in Canberra!

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Truly … if there are two things women hate buying it’s a new swimsuit or a new pair of jeans—and I’m not sure which one is worse … but let’s take a look at jeans. First up there’s the colour—too light, too dark, too washed; then the fabric—too heavy, too stiff, too skinny; the length—full, capri, three-quarter; the ‘rise’—low, high, medium, and don’t get me started on the cut … I’m stressed already and we haven’t even made it to the change room!

But now here’s something different. Local independent designer Corr Blimey has designed a new line of women’s jeans from fabric sourced in Australia and made in Canberra. And not only that, but designer Louisa de Smet will work with you to make sure the jeans are a perfect fit!

Corr Blimey Strasse jeans

Continue reading →

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Tag Archives: FashFest

Illuminating Canberra!

Fashion in the Alley @ CARDIF

It’s Vivid!

FASHFEST 2016 NEWSFLASH!

Get your hands on Hanny-d

FASHFEST Tickets on sale NOW!

Who’s Who at FASHFEST 2015!

FASHFEST 2015—So You Want to be a Model?

Warm and Cosy at Assemblage Project

Corr Blimey! Designer jeans made in Canberra!