Night Two 2013 FASHFEST: capital style, capital class

Four nights of fashion, four nights of style, four nights of innovation!

From 1-4 May, Canberra held its inaugural fashion bonanza. FASHFEST was the idea of Zoo advertising managing director, Clinton Hutchinson, and his wife Andrea, whose vision was to showcase 22 of Canberra’s new and established designers over four nightly shows. Not only does it showcase the fashion labels, but also a line-up of local models, sylists, and musicians. I attended Night 2: Thursday 2 May, with a front row seat.

Held in an unfinished construction in Brindabella Business Park at Canberra Airport (a soon-to-be airport hotel), the venue was advertised as “a raw industrial space with a massive atrium.” Indeed it was, although it was transformed into a bar, DJ area, and an angular U-shaped catwalk. Guests were advised to “rug up” to brave the evening temperature of -2 C, but with entry limited to 400, it was a sell-out crowd, although last minute standing room tickets were sold on the night.

Guests mingled at the bar for pre-show drinks. Night 2’s fashion labels included: Jenifer Aniela, Sovata, Purepod, Andie Meredith, Gabrielle Everitt, Sofia Polak, Baku, and Sarah Joseph Couture.

Jenifer Aniela opened with backless multi-coloured ethereal long gowns and short frocks with unique frontal designs: delicately hand-dyed and printed and fabulously feminine.

From Aniela’s wispiness to Sovata’s harnesses: it was all about fashion for a day at the horse races. Strong cobalt blues, rich orange/reds and structured dresses were topped with what Sovata is known for—her millinery.  

Purepod’s eco textiles for sustainable fashion showcased the use of bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, silk and linen. With 1950’s inspired summer dresses and daywear in red and blue hues, they were classicly cut. Purepod was my choice of fashionwear for the evening; I wore her 1920’s Gatsby-inspired “Flapper Dress” with a lace cut-away bodice, dropped waist, and flip skirt (teamed with a Purely Merino Australian wool coat).

Andie Meredith’s apparel was glittery and slinkily sexy for evening, juxtaposed with interesting geometic prints in cream for day wear. Beautiful silhouettes and exposed shoulders were the highlight for a sensuous flowing style.

Gabrielle Everitt was the audience favourite of the evening. Neutral creams, white and beige with detailed lace and summery parasols pleased the eye. Day wear and casual wear, the beige and cream striped tailored shorts and jacket showed a mix and match contemporary collection with a touch of nostalgia.

Sofia Polak’s collection was formal, classy, bold, and sophisticated in black, yellow, lace, silk, and netting. The choice of lace eye coverings was stunningly dramatic.

Baku and Mont followed—with models wearing warm Mont Adventure anoraks for Canberra’s chilly autumn evening over Baku swimwear. Skimpy iconic Australian swimwear in coral and green is what the young seasiders will be wearing come summer.

Sarah Joseph Couture closed the show with dramatic wedding, evening, and formal wear. From long and flowing with beaded touches to dramatic corsetry, the collection was designed with a flair for one-off pieces. The piece de resistance was the show-stopping, eye-popping barely-there, gorgeously-bare corseted evening dress—loved it!

Hair styles ranged from long and wavy, to romantic rolled buns, to sexy loose curls. Make-up was a positive feature of the night with stunning lips and smokey eyes. Although the catwalk collections were not seasonal, but instead a showcase of Canberra talent, trends were difficult to spot, other than high waisted plants, a focus on cut and texture, and sustainable design practices. Lacking on the night was a men’s wear collection, and handbags. More attention to accessories such as shoes, bags, scarves and jewellery would have fully-rounded out the show.  

More definition between collections, and an eclectic mix of more appropriate music would have made a brilliant show even more stunning. Each collection was merely separated by a dimming of lights and a slide presentation with the name of the next fashion label. Wouldn’t it have been spectacular to hear the Picnic at Hanging Rock theme with Gabrielle Everitt’s collection or a classic Australian Melbourne cup call with Sovata’s collection?

Despite a few unclosed zips and lipstick smears on dresses, the organizers, designers, and stylists put together an eclectic assemblage to tempt the audience for their inaugural showing. Models were fabulously healthy-looking, the lighting was spot-on, and the whole show was adventurous and exciting. Exhilerating!

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).