“It’s all about a pretty, sexy, cool vibe, with plenty of hardware detailing, sequins, cut outs, structured silhouettes juxtaposed with soft textile accents. ” Are the words of Claudia Venti, creator of the COCO LUXE label.

Looking at the Summer 2010 collection, it is easy to see that these words are true.

COCO LUXE is mostly club-wear but unlike other sparkly labels, this brand of dress would look appropriate on every age group. The maxis, playsuits and cocktail dresses in the collection are predominantly black and white. There are a few stand out splashes of colour which are sequined heavily. The boldy coloured pieces all start with sharply cut bodices which flow down to flatter the feminine physique.

The COCO LUXE mission statement says: “Dedicated to the sassy and distinct fashionista whom appreciates a whole lot of luxe and crazy/beautiful moments.” While the label has been worn by Jessica Hart on the pages of glossy fashion mags, it would be wonderfully appropriate in high-class cocktail bars.

This foxy allure has been inspired by the creators life experiences in show business. With this, has come an enthusiasim for fashion finery. Every piece is embellished by hand in fine workmanship, making each and every piece 1 of a kind.

The full collection can be viewed and purchased at www.cocoluxe.com.au.

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

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.

Samantha Harris for Seafolly

Samantha Harris will follow the path of many Australia supermodels and join forces with iconic swimwear and lifestyle brand, Seafolly. After appearing on the cover of Vogue Australia, Harris will join top model Jessica Hart, to help launch the Seafolly Summer 2010 campaign.

Seafolly has launched many successful Australian models including Miranda Kerr, Catherine McNeil, Kristy Hinze and Alyssa Sutherland. The campaign was shot on Queensland’s Brampton Island in June by photographer, Max Doyle.

Seafolly is available at major department stores, Seafolly Concept stores and selected boutiques around the world. For further information or to find your nearest Seafolly stockist, phone 1300130 715 or visit www.seafolly.com.au

BLK1 Article: SUNNY BURNS

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

Mok Theorem Spring/Summer 2010/2011 Collection| FACE Fashion Event at CarriageWorks | Sydney | Images | Photos | 2010

After launching just three months ago, Mok Theorem is a fashion label that is growing up and up, with more people whispering it’s name in fashion circles

When looking at the Spring/Summer 2010/2011 collection, it is obvious why. Each piece is divinely eye catching and edgy. The blacks, whites and boxy cut fabric can be dubbed as “so very now”.

All the trends of 2010/11 is clearly present in this collection. This is the reason it will be interesting to see what Mok Theorem will create in seasons to come.

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

Images: © BLK1 Photographer 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.

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.

Anna & Boy’s Spring/Summer 2010/11 collection was comprised of the binary ideas: tight and skimpy or loose and covering-all.

Bikini’s were made up of small squares of fabric with blocks of colour.

The rest of the collection features bright, flowing maxi dresses, again with blocked colours. There were also a few nature inspired modesty tops which would be perfect for slapping on over a bikini at a day at the beach.

The overall tone from the runway at Anna & Boy was casual. Everything that was paraded is highly wearable and can be expected to sell well in stores. There also seemed to be a cutesy undertone running down the catwalk, with the models sweet smiles expressing the attitude of the designers very clearly. Anna & Boy’s Spring/Summer 2010/11 collection is all about pure and simple beachy fun.

BLK1 Photographer: Victoria Rika-Heke

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

White Sands, as always, put on a show that made audiences sigh for the absence of Summer in May. The Cargo Theatre at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week was bathed in warm, yellow light to show the swimwear and resort wear in the same way that it would appear if it was seen in the sunshine.

The collection featured white one-piece swimwear, which wrapped around the female curves to demonstrate the wearers feminine beauty.

The white tight swimwear was contrasted with black maxi dresses that were fanned to show what the wearer would look like if they were walking through a Summer breeze.

High waists featured prominently in White Sands Spring/Summer 2010/2011 collection. Bikinis were designed to flatter the female chest and draw attention in a subtle way.

White Sands offers a swimwear collection which features something for everybody with all kinds of cuts and colours.

BLK1 Photographer: Michael Greves

Zimmermann are famed for their bright colours and frilly cuts. It was a shock to audiences when models wearing white faces with vampish black lips were sent down the runway in monochromatic prints. Everything for the first few minutes of the Zimmerman show was black and white. These shades were contrasted through geometric, psychedelic patterns on long wavy pants and tight, high waisted shorts.