The mission of the Fashion Palette organisation is to put a spotlight on creativity and encourage new blood into the fashion industry.

This mission was accomplished at every parade and party at the 2010 Fashion Palette event. Over two days, brand-new and well-known designers came together to celebrate fashion.

Against the water-side backdrop of Sydney’s Circular Quay, models strutted the latest accessories, swimwear and other wearables. The event did not aim to dictate trends. It’s aim was more to show the mastery of some of Australia’s best designers.

Everything seen on the catwalks and exhibition stands was unique and surprising. Every person who attended left the event convinced that all of Australia’s new fashion talent should be supported to the level of superstar status that many of our acclaimed designers enjoy.

From the outside, the world of fashion can appear glamorous, mysterious and impossible to break into. Now for a second time, Fashion Palette offered everyone the chance to soak up the skills, knowledge of leading fashion influences such as Wayne Cooper, Samantha Wills, Nikita Sernack and with Nicola Finetti, Camilla Franks and Charlie Brown who joined the Fashion Future segment. The Future Segments sets Fashion Palette aside from other fashion weeks, highlighting the importance of supporting new talent. 

 BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Internationally acclaimed Australian designer Collette Dinnigan, will show her Printemps Ete 2011 collection ‘Cirque d’ Amour’ (Circus of Love) at the Hotel Meurice during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday 5th October at 11:30am.

Marking 15 years as the only Australian on the official Chambre Syndicale du prêt-a-porter des couturiers et des createaurs de mode schedule, Dinnigan will show her collection in an intimate salon show.

Collette Dinnigan printemps ete 2011 presents a fresh palette of pastels and crisp whites creating a backdrop to detailed and delicate embellishment, combining the expression of sport and luxe.

Hues of lemon and mint contrast against elaborate lyrical prints arresting the audience and ricocheting a fantasy of spirit. Souvenir prints with pleated contrasting serve to deliver a Collection encapsulating a newfound ease for contrast – soulful vitality.

“The honour of showing in Paris is as much about representing Australia on a global design stage as it is about growing our presence in an international market, I feel incredibly privileged to be acknowledged in a forum of my peers. Cirque d’ Amour is youthful, fresh and channels the sport of performing” says Dinnigan.

2010 also marks further milestones for Collette Dinnigan, in addition to her 15th year showing in Paris it is also her 20th year in business and the 10th year since opening her London store at Chelsea Green.

A testament to timeless design and style Collette Dinnigan continues to distinguish herself through the craftsmanship and quality that stay true to her focus on luxurious and exceptionally beautiful pieces.

It is always a treat to see Karen Nielsen’s swimwear designs on parade. And although the same collection was presented earlier in the year, the pieces at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival made a splendid opening to the Splash event. Examining the vintage inspired one-pieces or the high-waisted black bikinis, it is clear that every woman, no-matter their size or shape, will be looking good in a design by Karen Nielsen.

In the only parade at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival that was totally dedicated to swimwear, the designs of Lisa Maree were sure to make an appearance. Lisa Maree is no stranger to the runways of Australian fashion weeks, but this label is not a fashion veteran yet. The design innovation in the colours and shapes of this swimwear demonstrates that Lisa Maree is a designer on the way up.

Daughter Of The Gods was third onto the runway, but it was the first time most members of the audience had heard of them. The bronzed models were adorned with feathers and fluros. The way the models strutted confidently reflects the mantra of the label. Daughter of The Gods was named after the movie made to tell the story of the first woman who demanded the right to wear comfortable and revealing swimwear.

Hotel Bondi Swim’s collections were oh-so-very Sydney. Within each piece the sights and sounds of Sydney’s world famous beachs and nightspots were echoed loudly.

While Hotel Bondi Swim echoed the sights and sounds of Sydney, Bond-Eye shouted them. The colourful prints on the Bond-Eye fabric sung praises of the hot and floral Australian Summer and the way it is celebrated in Bondi.

Sol Bellow is not a widely known about brand, but, with the way each piece has been designed to flatter every body shape, it will soon be a well known brand to beach-goers. Sol Below spreads design inspiration slink black one-pieces to micro-sized scorching red bikinis. The result of the different colours and shapes made a stimulating catwalk show that got the crowd excited for the Summer ahead.

On a boiling day, there is no better feeling than to drape the body with silk and rest poolside. Colin Heaney’s silk kaftans catored for this desire. There were rain-forrest greens and sunburnt reds flowing down the catwalk. For every different emotion evoked by Summer, Colin Heaney catored with a design.

After seeing the models strut the newest swimwear designs, it became clear that skimpy bikinis are the way to go. For Spring/Summer 2010, modesty comes in the form of a kaftan – to be stripped off in moments of heat. The look to-die-for this season is the same as every summer: a perfectly toned and tanned body with just a whisper of colour to complement the natural physique.

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

I’ve been struggling to write a review about Australia’s Next Top Model over the past weeks. Now the Rift-Raff have gone and the girls have had their much needed hair make overs, exposed in episode three, it’s clear who the front runners are. Over the past few episodes the girls have strutted their stuff at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and posed to show their natural beauty in front of a camera.

Here is BLK1′s Top Four girls (this will change weekly).

First Place: Kelsey - She is my favourite so far even though she’s 172cm. Alex Perry calls her a midget but don’t forget she’s taller then Kate Moss and Australia’s current ‘it’ model, Bambi. A Byron Bay beauty with an inner cool chic edge.Her photos are flawless and like Harper Bazaar’s Claudia Navone said, “there’s something special about her”. I don’t think she will win but I hope she goes far.

Second Place: Jessica - A leggy 5Ft 11 stunner. I don’t know what it is about this girl but she has it. Keep an eye out for this one.

Third: Kathryn – She’s an international model in the making. Why hasn’t she been working as a model already??? Kathryn on a catwalk??? It’s a no brainer. Can’t wait to watch her grow.

Fourth: Amanda - I like her. Her personality is sweet and she would make a good commercial model. She reminds me of previous Next Top Model contestant, Kristy Coulcher.

Other models (or reality stars in the making) still in the running include Kimberly (who needs to stop trying to copy off girls from previous seasons. You’re no Cassi Van Den Dungen ) and Paris Hilton look-a-like Sophie. Both girls need a day with June Dally-Watkins. Judges favourite Joanna is interesting but just not sold yet.

Now for the worst models of this year’s season. Please note: I will not be kind. The reality of the modelling industry certainly isn’t.

First: Ashlea – Thank god they got rid of her. She had no model material. Much more like Lindsay Lohan stomping down a catwalk.

Second: Claire – enough said.

Third: Ashton – She may have the measurements and the look but she is a magical flop in front of the camera and really didn’t have the heart for it.

I’m predicting ineloquent sounding Chantal to go in next weeks elimination. She is so boring.

The girls have a long way to go to measure to the likes of the very dull but sensational Alice Burdeu, the superb Clare Venema ( who should be modelling around the world but choose the boring school life of Adelaide) and of course could-be Supermodel Cassi Van Den Dungen.

More to come in following weeks…

Catch Australia’s Next Top Model on Fox 8 every Tuesday from 7.30pm.

Article: SUNNY BURNS

Fashion Weekend is the highlight of the Sydney shopping year. It is a time when all the best known Australian designers lay out their wears and sell to the public at heavily discounted prices. For shoppers, it’s not only a time to get great discounts, but also to find out what’s hot and trendy for the season.

The catwalk at Fashion Weekend always steals the spotlight above all the other exhibitions. The Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Weekend showed designs from This Is Genevieve, Life With Bird, Fleur Wood, Hussy, Little Joe Woman, Muccia, Lucette and Shakuhachi.

Fashion Weekend is a public event which happens just one week after Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. After models have been dressed, faces have been made-up and hair has been styled for the last seven or eight days straight, a little tiredness is to be expected. But it was not so. Every model on the catwalk showed a bright new outfit, with every thread on the model for sale at the nearby stalls.

At Sydney Fashion Weekend, the catwalk does not only dictate new trends, it inspires the audience to shop, see and interact with the designers in the retail space. Seeing a hot frock paraded down the catwalk and being able to buy it five minutes later is a dream come true for shop-a-holics. Inspiring fashions and a chance to lay hands on a great bargain is what Sydney Fashion Weekend is all about.

BLK1 attended to capture exclusive photos of the catwalk event

BLK1 Photographer: CARLOS VELASCO

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

The motto of Lulu In Chains asserts that “life is too short to wear a dull dress.”

When the first model was seen on the catwalk at the label’s launch, it became obvious that Lulu In Chains is a brand which not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.

The first dress that was displayed from Lulu In Chains was bright red. Each sleeve looked as though it took several meters of shiny fabric to make, with ruffles standing tall from the bold padded shoulders of the wearer.

Nothing from Lulu In Chains is dull. Whether it’s a slinky black and white number or a bright blue cocktail skirt every piece in the new collection comes alive on the wearer.

Lulu in Chains is label designed with the “Elegant Rebel” in mind – a woman who is sweet, feminine, strong and rebellious all at once. Every new fashion label claims to be edgy, but Shadi Tambrchi, designer of Lulu In Chains insists that there’s more to her label than a shock first impression: “Lulu in Chains is different because, with every design, I try to stay true to the label’s motto of “because life is too short to wear a dull dress”. I want to give women that “wow” factor – to enhance a woman’s beauty by giving her a beautiful, “stand out” dress to wear – I refuse to design dresses that look ordinary. I want women to be remembered in my dresses – afterall if you remember the dress, you remember the woman wearing it.”

Without knowing any of this, a person looking at a dress by Lulu In Chains would not only be gobsmacked by the bold colours and cuts of the dresses, but also the way that each dress can be accessorised to match the personality of the wearer. The make-up used at the launch was by Napoleon Perdis and consisted of smouldering dark eyes, almost nude lips and elongated lashes. Napoleon Perdis reports that this is the “in” look for Autumn/Winter 2010.

However, any kind of make-up look can be teamed with Lulu In Chains because every piece in the collection is designed to highlight the features of the wearer. To Shadi Tambruchi: “a beautiful dress or an amazing outfit can be an incredibly powerful thing – it can help you be noticed, it can enhance you, it can make people look at you and think “wow”. This statement is what sums up Lulu In Chains.

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2010 delivered a hectic week for buyers, celebrity guests and fashion fans with runway shows, exhibitions and demonstrations happening constantly throughout the week.

Bianca Villarosa recounts the highlights from the 2010 L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, with exclusive photos by Victoria Rike-Heke.

As the lights fell there was an eerie silence followed by blasting music that signalled the start of a very intense Runway show. The fashion elites gathered under the roof of ‘Peninsula’ at Central Pier, Docklands in Melbourne on quite a balmy night. Undoubtedly the heat was being felt inside as well. The waterside venue played the perfect host to present ‘L’Oréal Paris Runway 5 presented by Cosmopolitan’ for L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Week 2010.

The night kicked off with ‘White Suede’ by Jacqui Demkiw. Leather jackets, short lace dresses, white tights, studded leather gloves and ankle suede wedge boots supplied by ‘Peeptoe’ shoes brought the show to life.

It was all about statement pieces with your 80’s power shoulders, strong black tones juxtaposed with gold and enhanced silk tones.

Random zips on gloves, skirts and tops glistened in the light while a black double-breasted knee-length coat hit the ground running teamed with gorgeous oversized gold buttons, An ivory satin frock broke the absence of colour as well as the chic floral print maxi-dress which swept across the floor so delicately.

Bettina Liano hit the stage with their intense blue and yellow lighting which then faded to a calm white. Bettina Liano’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection draws together Punk and Romance this season, exhibiting a mix of colours including Navy and Moody Blues, deep purple and Metallic as far as the eye can see.

The black leather skirt made its first appearance for the night and appeared to be a core item featured amongst most of the designs. Teamed with an off-the-shoulder black glow mesh top, it screamed ‘cool’.
Exposed zips made a come-back in the new denim styles as did the Peplum jackets and corset panelling. A soft, pale and blue organza trimmed dress danced down the runway as did the velvet black frock, its collar trimmed with gold material. The over-sized, what appeared like, the boyfriend jacket snuck out as did a classic pair of black high-waisted jeans worn under a light-denim wash jacket.

This is Genevieve rolled out next with again the white tights, short grey and black skirts and studded skyscraper heels. Prints appeared to make a comeback to add a different element to most of the pieces displayed.

Genevieve’s Winter 2010 line is loving the ‘throw-on’ pieces, excessive material and the chunky but tasteful style. Pretty and flirty dresses with their obscure prints as well as sheer panels also made an appearance. A fantastic furry jacket made the collection which was an amazing stand-out piece.

Extinct came out flying – literally with images of flying bats being a highlight of their audio visual display. The black leotard being the first item out on stage worn by a trim model and teamed with a leather jacket with high shoulders was a crowd stopper. The boys popped out next sporting oversized black coats with hoods while others wore tailored and sophisticated blazers in mahogany matched with a chequered shirt.

A velvet navy blue blazer also wowed the crowd. Girls showed-off gorgeous black chiffon playsuits with black high-waisted belts and pranced around in shoes supplied by Stillier.

Joveeba came out raring to go. It almost appeared that a fruity cocktail had been splashed across the runway with gorgeous pale peach and cream light filling the venue. It was a pretty set, which was quite geometric. The detailed zigzag pattern around the collar of a simple black chiffon dress was amazing and demonstrated femininity and confidence.

The tie-dyed burgundy dresses teamed with oversized accessories were a hit as were her simple frocks in navy, cream and indigo. A couple of striking prints, ruffles, and belts cinching tops were all the rage as were jackets above the waist.

Exposed grey socks also worn just above the ankle in the shoes supplied by BobBons were a cute little addition to the outfits. A silver and gold sequined vest which was also the pattern on a skirt and a very thin blazer broke the shows tones, with these items reflecting for all to see.

Wayne Cooper was up next. Off-the shoulder, black vinyl dresses with ruffles opened the show followed by garments that were an ivory colour.

This set was awash with contrasting textures, sharp silhouettes and sculptural ruffles with colours such as black, khaki and chocolate brown being used.

The chiffon jumpsuits as well as the stunning black sweetheart-style dress with the additional chiffon train were deemed gorgeous.

The short sleeved and black vinyl wrap added a rock chic feel as did the revival of the 80’s with strong shoulders being accentuated in the jackets. The inverted triangle shape can actually elongate ones legs! Knitwear and super soft leather and preppy taffeta dresses wrapped up Cooper’s parade.

Nicolangëla rocked our socks next. With lots of tiers and layers supporting the dresses were extremely obvious. The olive, sleeveless plain dress with the material to tie around it was classy. Using luxurious fabrics and ensuring gowns mould to fit one’s body as well as the clever use of belts and ties ensures this style is a winner. One of the final pieces, a gorgeous coat with what appeared to be a feathered thick fringing around the collar was a stand-out as it hung above a plain black silk dress to the knees teamed with heels by Stillier.

To the beats of ‘Toyfriend’, Nina Maya’s collection was on fire. Bursting, hot pink lights struck the walls of the venue to elude a fun and crazy environment. The vivid orchid print worked in alongside floral shapes was a feature of the show with a frock detailing this pattern as well as a skirt.

A thick, white and heavy cardigan secured to the model’s body with a thick black belt as well as a stark-white trench-coat which appeared to split in half just under the mid-riff appeared to be practical items for the winter months.

Hussy was last up and finished the show with a bang. It was very suave with a mixture of navy, grey and black tones scattered throughout the show. The emerald dress with a black belt provided a break from the darker colours as did the dress featuring the sketchy red floral motif and cut-out blooms at one shoulder.

The purple short dress teamed with bronze leggings injected the runway with extreme colour as did the final gorgeous piece which donned bright silver sequins all over it. The gold and silver chain fringing, heavy cuffs and subtle details to ruffles and necklines saw this designer’s work which is feminine without being too girly, greatly recognised.

Overall, it was a fantastic show and one which has definitely warmed us up to what the future of fashion has to offer.

You can read more from Bianca Villarosa here and here