Tag Archives: Pure Pod

FASHFEST 2017 dates announced!

It’s hard to fathom that it’s time to start filling up our 2017 calendars, with the New Year just around the corner, but FASHFEST has got out early with its 2017 dates—28 to 30 September. So if you’re keen to be seen at Canberra’s biggest, annual red-carpet fashion event, pop these dates in your diary.

Assemblage Project on the catwalk – photo by Samantha Taylor

“We chose September again because it aligns FASHFEST with Australia’s overall fashion calendar,” says Andrea Hutchinson, Managing Director. “It’s perfect for spring fashion season and the kick start of Canberra’s major tourist season.”

True to its beginnings, FASHFEST—now in its fifth year—will showcase the talent of local and independent designers. It will also continue to push out the work of many other creatives who make the show a gold-star event, including film, music, art, photography, makeup, hair and more. Organisers are also already on the hunt for new labels from interstate and overseas, to keep the event growing and growing, says Andrea, so guests can expect new designers on the catwalks.

Sovata – photo by Doug Hall

Here at LFW, we love how FASHFEST is unique each year and look forward to new talent. But we also hope our faves from 2016 will be on show including Zilpah tart whose gorgeous Canberra themed prints turn fashion into art, and Sovata who makes the most stunning headwear that complements every outfit. Pure Pod designs beautiful and wearable eco-friendly clothing, and who can forget the stunning designs from 17 year old Charly Thorn from Cooma—we would love to see her back next year. Another of our favourites is Assemblage Project which is a collective of designers including Karen Lee, SZN, Wendy Voon, and High Tea with Mrs Woo. You can find out more about our local favourites on their website or Facebook page.

Pure Pod at FASHFEST 2016 – photo by wearefoundau

And didn’t we just love the foyer action this year. Fletcher Lovell shoes, Harlotte hair and make-up, Pialligo Farm—with their delish smokehouse goods, and our very own fast FASHFEST illustrator. Who will we see in the foyer next year?

Harlotte in the foyer – photo by Anita Entriken

Heavy duty planning is already underway for next year’s event, which will again be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra.

Amazing designs from 17 year old Charly Thorn – photo by Samantha Taylor

FASHFEST is here to stay, with CEO Clint Hutchinson is leaving his full-time job as Managing Director of Zoo Group in the next week or so to dedicate even more time and energy to the event. “FASHFEST has grown rapidly over the past five years and now demands more attention to refine and expand it,” says Clint. “Stepping down from my full-time role will help me and Andrea take FASHFEST 2017 to the next level. We’ll also roll out exciting pop-ups and activations throughout the city.”

Zilpah tart – photo by Samantha Taylor

In 2016, for the first time, FASHFEST curated a special segment on the runway to show support for the work of a selected charity and The Red Segment featured the work of 12 designers all in red or featuring red, in support of the Heart Foundation. The 2017 charity has not yet been selected.

Andrea and Clint Hutchinson

Follow FASHFEST on: www.fashfest.com.au https://www.instagram.com/fashfest/

https://www.facebook.com/fashfestcanberra/ https://twitter.com/Fashfest

Santa Claus is already in Town!

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By the LFW team. It’s countdown to Christmas! Do yourself a big favour. Make a list. Check it twice. And get your shopping done early, far, far away from the madding crowds and before the summer heat settles in.

CARDIF Collective is hosting Christmas Cheers this Wednesday 7 December with drinks, nibbles, fashion, and gifts galore! Meet the designers and shop local—Santa won’t mind.

In my Element fused glass

CARDIF Collective stocks the creative work of more than 35 designers and makers, the largest number housed in one store in the inner South, if not Canberra. The range includes men’s, women’s and kid’s fashion, jewellery, homewares, ceramics, fabrics and haberdashery.

Ear-rings by Tangs design

Stocking stuffers are easy to source, including loop scarves by Zilpah Tart, made with exclusive fabric prints featuring photographs taken in Canberra, and loop scarves lovingly made of gorgeous men’s silk ties (all original) by Alchemy jewellery. And you can’t go wrong with men’s and women’s cool t-shirts by We will Multiply or I Heart Threads. Zilpah Tart also sells what designer Yumi Morrissey is calling The Perfect Christmas Dress in her bright red Vivid print. The t-shirt dress is Zilpah Tart’s best-selling design.

Yumi’s perfect Christmas dress— Photographer - Tracy Lee Photography; Model Ashley Perry - Devojka Models; HMUA - Hayley Boyle

Yumi’s perfect Christmas dress— Photo by Zilpah tart; Steph Church Makeup; Model: Rochelle Tiley

New lifestyle fashion by ethical and sustainable Pure Pod, from the collection launched at FASHFEST, has just arrived in-store as have new designs by Fujinella with pieces created from a monotone colour palette that will fit into any wardrobe. Jewellery lovers will find themselves in heaven. A new jewellery designer to CARDIF Collective is Aurelia Grigore-Reid, who creates with pieces with a range of materials including gemstones, pearls and Swarovski crystals. Connie Dimas creates jewellery with soft sophisticated shapes. New pieces are in store by Tangs Design, and they’re great value. Silver smithing and woodworking feature in Sarah Bourke’s jewellery—100 per cent handcrafted from Australian and exotic hardwoods. Seraglio Designs are timelessly elegant and sophisticated and come in amazing colours. Other jewellers include Dint, Pip Keane Designs, Anne Masters and Classy Glass.

FRattempo

For the little ones in your life, you won’t go wrong with pieces by Kinderhoonz by designer Hannah Hoyne, who is also a sculptor and performance artist. Kiva made for fun sell functional, unisex, everyday wear for children from birth to five years. And an all-time fav, Wombat and Poss, is also instore.

Kiva-made-for-fun

CARDIF Collective’s line of homewares is growing and now includes fine products by Hart Ceramics and FRattempo, macramé by Annette Boyd, and unique pieces by In My Element Glass Design (which also sells jewellery and cufflinks).

Pure Pod — Photo by Zilpah Tart; Steph Church Makeup; Model: Rochelle Riley

Pure Pod — Photographer – Tracy Lee Photography; Model Ashley Perry – Devojka Models; HMUA – Hayley Boyle

CARDIF Collective Christmas Cheers is on Wednesday 7 December, 6pm to 9pm. If you haven’t been to CARDIF Collective before, it’s easy to find. Get to the Cusack Centre, Green Square, Kingston and head up the stairs. You can’t miss it.

Autumn trees loop scarf by Zilpah tart

A Treasure Trove of Art and Fashion!

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Trove is a collective of artists, creators, designers and much more, and is celebrating fashion meets art with a free evening of entertainment on Friday 11 November from 7pm.

Dissonance by Red Photography; hair and make-up by Lauren Cataldo

Trove made a bold move in May this year when it moved to new premises in the Garema Centre in the city, and expanded its collective to include two local and well-known fashion designers Sovata and Dissonance. Fashion meets Art aims to move beyond a typical shopping or market experience and offers a relaxed and intimate environment for customers, designers, and artists to engage with each other.

Fifth Season Artwork

At Fashion meets Art you can meet local artists Fiona Hill, and Jennifer Baird from Fifth Season who will be offering a live painting demonstration, and you can chat with in-house designers Sovata and Dissonance, and three guest designers Karen Lee, Zilpah Tart, and Pure Pod. All five designers have shown collections at FASHFEST, and one of Sovata’s designs won 2016 Melbourne Cup Fashion on the Field at Thoroughbred Park.

Stephanie Kwong in Sovata at Melbourne Cup Fashion on the Field, Thoroughbred Park 2016. Photo by Andrew Campbell. Jewellery by JAC Studio

You can relax and watch the fashion parade, and listen to live music by acoustic guitarist David Bath, while enjoying your complimentary wine and cheese, and cross your fingers that you just might go home with a fantastic prize giveaway!

Pure Pod at FASHFEST 2016, photo by Andrew Donato

At Trove everything is designed and made in Australia—often in Canberra—so you’re getting a true local product. And Trove isn’t just art and fashion.

Trove collective also includes jewellery, gifts, soft furnishings, children’s clothes and toys, and candles and aromatherapy. So you can do all your Christmas shopping in the one place, and what better to get in early at Fashion meets Art this Friday at Trove.

Karen-Lee at FASHFEST 2016, photo by Holly Williams

Fashion meets Art: Where—Trove Canberra Cooperative, Garema Centre (upstairs with lift access), Garema Place, Canberra City. When—Friday 11 November 7 – 10pm

FASHFEST REVIEW—Night 3 Show 1

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Here’s our final FASHFEST runway rundown for 2016. Some great designers tonight and almost every one a local. We also had some awesome music from Simon Anau and Small Town Funk with soul, funk and R&B, and DJs Degg, and Benjamin Reeve, and a short film clip by Stephan and Andrew Robinson.

Karen Lee

Karen Lee is one of our favourite locals and she has been at every FASHFEST since it started. Her simple yet sophisticated, designs have no darts and can often be worn a number of ways to suit your style and personality. Karen Lee is available at Assemblage Project in Braddon, and was one of our faves on the night. See more at Fashfest Designers in Profile—Karen Lee.

Karen Lee

Edition appeared at the very first FASHFEST with her trademark soft jersey that takes you from work to play and everything in between. Designer, Alice Sutton, uses sustainable design and creates all her garments in her studio in Canberra. This is Edition’s second time at FASHFEST.

Edition

Assemblage Project is a collective of local, regional, and New Zealand designers, and you can find them in the Ori Building in Braddon. The collection tonight includes High Tea with Mrs Woo (Newcastle), Wendy Voon (Melbourne), Eva Cassis (Sydney), and Kowtow (New Zealand). Models’ shoes by Rollie Nation, also available from Assemblage.

Assemblage Project

Fashionation Cooma is making their first appearance at FASHFEST this year. I first heard of this collective a couple of years ago and it’s great to see them here. Collections include young designer Charly Thorn (see Night 2 review), Elle Hopwood showcasing formal wear, costumes, and LBDs, and Rasa Mauragis of Snowy Textiles who creates gorgeous floaty tops inspired by the colours and texture of the mountain region.

Fashionation – Snowy Textiles by Rasa Mauragis

Fashionation Cooma

Pure Pod is making their third appearance at FASHFEST with a stunning collection inspired by the environment. Pure Pod is a pioneer of sustainable fashion and appeals to women to care about what they wear, where it’s from, and how it’s made. Another of our favourites on the night.

Pure Pod

Cadia Belante—not sure what to say about these designs … Cadia uses recycled materials from op-shops and second hand stores (and yes, they were sleeping bags!) to create highly unusual and colourful garments. Very eco, and very sustainable, but you need to brave and independent to carry off some of these!

Cadia Belante

SZN is an independent label created by Suzan Diouhy focussing on simplicity and garments for the ‘non-conforming spirit’. If you’re young, courageous, and want to be noticed then this is for you. Suzan has moved slightly from her trademark use of fabric offcuts, and now works with sustainable and organic fabrics. This is Suzan’s third appearance at FASHFEST and you find her collection at Assemblage Project in Braddon.

SZN

And that’s a wrap for FASHFEST 2016!

Bowers of Flowers at FASHFEST

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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.

by Kirri Pizzingrilli

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.

Textiles by Rasa Mauragis, Snowy Textiles

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.

Eder by Anna

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

FASHFEST Designers in Profile—ASSEMBLAGE PROJECT

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By the LFW Team.

Do you know who made your clothes? If you don’t—perhaps you should. Here at LFW we’re all in favour of fair trade and buying local, and if it’s organic and sustainable as well; even better!

Karen Lee

Assemblage Project in Braddon has been operating for a few years now, but in the past 12 months it’s not only changed premises, but also expanded to include a number of local designers most of whom are no waste, use organic materials, and work in Canberra and the surrounding region.

Karen Lee is well known for her no darts, easy-wear draping styles, and together with Edition, SZN, and Pure Pod, Assemblage is now in the forefront of sustainable designers in Canberra, and will be exhibiting their individual styles for the first time as a group, at FASHFEST on Saturday 1 October in Show One at 6.30pm.

All Assemblage designers Karen Lee, Edition, SZN and Pure Pod will each have their own shows to launch new collections on the same night, together with other Assemblage labels High Tea with Mrs Woo, Eva Cassis, Kowtow and Wendy Voon. So you get to see all eight labels in the one show!

One of the exciting things about a visit to Assemblage is that you’ll probably find a designer there cutting, drafting, or sewing on their huge industrial steel worktable—which also serves as the reception counter. The industrial look carries through the shop with old piping as clothes racks, low industry pendant lighting, and a simple concrete floor. Huge windows at the rear provide extra lighting to the cutting and sewing area.

Edition

Styles and fabrics are mixed and include Edition’s soft draping jersey that takes you from work to dinner, and focusses on Selvedge-to-Selvedge designs meaning zero waste. Alice Sutton’s previous collections have been Canberra themed including a nod to the Bogong Moth, and Canberra Brickworks.

SZN clothing is designed and made in Australia and focusses on simplicity. Designer Suzan Dlouhy has side-stepped slightly from her recycled street-wear past and is now using organic materials to produce smock style dresses, batwing tops, and comfy loose fitting dungarees.

Garment colours include a predominance of black, grey, and white with the occasional bold splash of deep blue, vivid red, and earthy burnt orange

Pure Pod was launched in 2006 and is considered one of Australia’s most consistent ethical fashion brands and a pioneer in Eco and Sustainability fashion. Designer Kelli Donovan takes pride in keeping the brand 100 per cent Australian made, using local craftspeople. Pure Pod is for women who really care about what they wear, who makes it, and where it comes from.

Pure Pod – photo by Tracy Lee Photography

Assemblage also includes gorgeous soft knits by Wendy Voon, natural fabrics and textiles from High Tea with Mrs Woo, and ultra-comfy Rollie shoes.

Assemblage Project, Shop 66, 30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon—check the website for open times.

You can see Assemblage Project at FASHFEST Saturday 1 October, 6.30pm at the National Convention Centre. Tickets on sale now!

FASHFEST Designers in Profile—KAREN LEE

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By the LFW team

Each designer’s fashion collection starts with inspiration. Where the inspiration comes from is not always clear. However, it’s mostly (always) a combination of research and thinking, as it is with Karen Lee, who will launch a new collection this year at FASHFEST 2016.

Karen Lee (centre) – Assemblage Project

“I’ve been exploring the work of various artists that take a minimalistic approach and use minimal palettes,” says the designer, who owns and runs Assemblage Project in Braddon. “The artists catching my attention incorporate structure with asymmetrical shapes and include uneven details. The collection is still evolving so I haven’t yet settled on a name.”

Those who know Karen Lee’s work, recognise the designer has always created contemporary and sophisticated garments that enhance changing body shapes. This collection is no exception. Karen wants women to feel comfortable and confident in her garments, and she wants them to express their individual style when wearing them and take on the garments as their own.

Karen’s collections always look fabulous on the catwalk. She’s appeared at FASHFEST every year since the event took Canberra by storm in 2013. Indeed, her label is a strong draw card for the three-day fashion event. In 2016, the designer promises a dominant, strong, bold collection, concentrating on shape and form. “I’m playing with some avant-garde pieces that bring in sculptural elements, and soft, flowing pieces,” says Karen. “I’m also exploring the idea of contradictions.”

Karen wants to evoke a sense of involvement in her 2016 collection. “I want the wearer to embrace the garments; love what is on the catwalk and say ‘I want that outfit’.”

Karen’s new collection is in tune with the signature restrained colour palette she’s known for. As is always the case with this seasoned designer, the new outfits won’t follow here-today-gone-tomorrow fads or trends. “I design garments that can be worn for years,” says Karen. “Because of their design, quality of fabric, and the way they’re made, my designs celebrate slow fashion and all the term embraces.”

Slow fashion and ethical fashion are at the heart of Assemblage Project. “While the mainstream fashion industry relies on globalised, mass production, where garments go from the design stage to the retail floor in a few, short weeks, the labels I carry do not,” she says. “They’re not just a label. They’re slow. They’re ethical and in many ways sustainable.”

Assemblage Project has carried up to 10 independent fashion labels at a time. Currently, Karen stocks seven labels, four of which will launch collections at FASHFEST 2016—Edition, SZN, Pure Pod and her own label, Karen Lee. For the first time, Assemblage Project itself will also be doing a show at FASHFEST. Stay tuned for details.

FASHFEST 2016 is on 29 September to 1 October at the award-winning National Convention Centre Canberra. Three nights. Six distinct shows. One total fashion experience!

Tickets on sale soon.

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

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Tag Archives: Pure Pod

FASHFEST 2017 dates announced!

Santa Claus is already in Town!

A Treasure Trove of Art and Fashion!

FASHFEST REVIEW—Night 3 Show 1

Bowers of Flowers at FASHFEST

FASHFEST Designers in Profile—ASSEMBLAGE PROJECT

FASHFEST Designers in Profile—KAREN LEE

FASHFEST 2015—So You Want to be a Model?