Digital Exposed Seminar

While most of us are bunkering down for the winter, covering up from the cold with layers of woolen scarves and heavy coats, it can be torture previewing the spring summer collections of scantily clad models living it up somewhere tropical and sun drenched.

But new jewellery and accessories label, `From St Xavier’ is something you can wear now, despite the summery imagery of its latest lookbook, and it’s an injection of cheery amidst a dreary winter. When we first discovered the brand at Premiere boutique trade event, Sydney it rocked our world (literally) with its range of crystal studded cuffs, neck plates and rings. We also couldn’t wait to get our clutches on their beaded bags. So when the lookbook arrived in our inbox recently we couldn’t wait to share.

We took five with Head Designer, Sara Caverley to get the scoop behind the brand; getting tribal with semi-precious stones and tri-metal combos; how they pull the collection together; and what’s in store for the future.

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Image by Yimmy Yayo for Oyster

A decision to stage Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) earlier in 2012 has been welcomed by a TCF industry consultant.

Dominic Beirne, Australian Fashion Partners (AFP) managing director, said the decision to align MBFWA with trade show Premiere was a step in the right direction.

“I’m pleased to see that the trade shows of Premiere and Fashion Week Australia will be held at similar times,” Beirne said. “But I would like to see a greater collaboration between the two events.”

He suggested steps, such as ensuring a single accreditation process to enable entry to both events, might be among the initiatives that could be taken.

Beirne said the two events should be more obviously linked so that they complemented each another and added extra value to participating designers and attending buyers and media.

“It’s an excellent first step but, to add value, they need to develop a closer relationship,” he said.

With the consumer event L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) held at a similar time in Melbourne, Beirne stressed companies would need to be clear about the purpose of each occasion.

“The labels exhibiting at these events need a greater understanding of the results they can achieve from each one,” he said.

“Designers showing at LMFF can expect to receive a greater uptake in sales immediately after they show,” he said. “At Fashion Week, designers can expect to see a greater number of orders placed for delivery for their next season.”

To read more, visit Textile Source.

Bec & Bridge at MBFWA. Image credit: GHD via Oscar Oscar Salons

Spring Summer 12/13 Collections Come to a Close as New Changes Announced for 2013 Season

The Spring/Summer 2012-2013 Collections came to a close last week, and was raved by fashion industry experts as “the best Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to date.” Thousands of industry insiders, including buyers and media from around the world, saw over 80 designers present their newest collections over the course of the week.

Over the past few seasons, IMG Fashion, organisers of the event, have surveyed influential fashion designers and industry professionals on a number of topics relating to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, and how the industry in Asia Pacific can better be serviced. Over 70% of those surveyed asked for the event to be moved to the last week of March, in order to better allow deliveries that coincide with the international fashion calendar, and allowing for increased business opportunities for designers.

As a result, beginning in 2013, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia will take place on the last week of March, specific dates to be released later in 2012. IMG Worldwide Fashion Events and Properties Managing Director, Peter Levy says, “We consider ourselves solution providers, and we always look at necessary solutions and what is best for the industry. The date change is an important evolution of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to ensure we are maximizing business opportunities for the industry.”

As part of the changes to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, to further enhance business opportunities arising from participation in the event, IMG Fashion will strategically align with key trade shows, the first being Premiere, to create greater critical mass, strengthening opportunities for designers to be supported 365 days a year rather than an event focused solely on the runway.

“I’m excited that Premiere will now fall under the immense Fashion industry spotlight of MBFWA. This alignment brings with it fantastic opportunities for both events. Premiere over the past 3 seasons has become more than the trade show for boutique labels, it hosts leading fashion business seminars and education forums- a comprehensive and strong trade event, perfectly suited to join forces with MBFWA. We will leverage the attendance of key global buyers to create even more opportunities for our Exhibitors and designers. By strategically timing our event to coincide with MBFWA, we create another resource for designers to maximize their business outcomes, network, be educated so buyers to maximize their visit”, Harvey Stockbridge, AEC Managing Director, organisers of Premiere, Fashion Exposed and Australian Shoe Fair.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia will continue to work hand in hand with government entities to ensure designers leverage initiatives from key stakeholders, including; industry, government and the private sector. Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner says of the date change; “Moving Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to an earlier date supports our ongoing efforts to help local designers develop more sustainable and successful businesses, and to grow the Australian fashion industry both locally and through export.”

In order to support designers who will be showing resort and cruise collections, IMG Fashion will also coordinate a schedule of presentations to promote designers who will be showing at this time and will utilise its global platform and industry toolkit, including The Portal, to give designers the unique advantage of using the same resources as those available at a centralized venue. The same will be true for designers showing autumn/winter collections in October; closing the loop on a year-round industry.

These changes are a result of ongoing talks with industry heavyweights, and another survey will be administered in the weeks to come to continue the dialogue and to ensure IMG Fashion is responding to the industry’s needs year round. Designers can expect to receive a new designer prospectus in early September. Further exciting announcements will be made around Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney, in August.

If there’s one denim brand that continues to dig deep into its archives and home grown American heritage, it’s True Religion. Their denim is consistently referencing the archives, stitching in history with every rivet, rip, or belt loop.

True Religion continues its flair for vintage denim with their Fall 2012 offering. Like the jacket shown above, which we tipped as one of our faves at Premiere Sydney from International Fashion Group, which features detailed Mexican embroidery on denim shirts and jeans for a folkloric feel.

But then they can just as easily flip the traditional for fun, such as these black and white striped `Beetle Juice’ jeans or the incredible luxe leather pants. And what girl doesn’t love this kind of versatility in her life.

Click below to see the full lookbook;
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We took a one-day flight to Sydney yesterday to bask in the magic light of the harbour sun at MBFWA. It was a magical day and of course when the sun shines down under, the fash pack exploded into a myriad of bright colours! Here are some shots we took with a heady dose of neon thrown in.

The brightly lit style set continued at Circular Quay as lensed by street master Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil blog exclusive to Style.com entitled Down Under Divas.

And we love this last shot from Street Smith of Melanie at Joy Hysteric boutique wearing a Camilla & Marc suit, Tom Binns necklace, with Alexander Wang bag and heels.

And this below of Harper’s Bazaar Australia fashion ed-cum-international street style icon, Christine Centenera wearing Dion Lee shirt, Balenciaga Skirt and Alaia thigh high boots.

Day 4 of MBFWA and the crowd lined up patiently to view Jenny Kee’s debut at MBFWA. Showcasing ten archival Jenny Kee looks spanning from 1980-2012, the ‘Art of the Scarf’ presentation features seminal works with a focus on print, from iconic re-issues of old works including the Black Opal print used in Karl Lagerfeld’s first collection for Chanel in his 1983 show to new works previously unseen.

All scarves are available to buy from the Art of the Scarf ready-to-wear collection, a non-seasonal collection that may be considered more like art as new pieces are created and re-issues added over time; all proudly 100% Australian made with the highest quality silks and utilising digital print technology courtesy of Think Positive Prints the scarves are the ultimate colour translation of Jenny Kee’s print works.

The Australian landscape is still a key influence in Kee’s work with her love of Australia still as evident as ever in her scarf collection. Colour is still very strong and Kee has an ability to keep the collection looking as fresh and relevant today as she did when she started her career over 40 years ago.

‘Small and beautiful’ is what I’m all about now says Kee, ‘I’ve been around for a while in fashion and this is what feels perfect for this moment in time. I’m excited to be sharing it”, states Jenny Kee. Styled with Romance was Born fashion label duo, for her launch in 2012, the silk scarves are available for wholesale to boutiques nationally within Australia. For all wholesale enquiries and to view the collection www.jennykee.com

Review written by Phoebes Garland, co-owner of Garland & Garland Fashion, a leading boutique Sydney based fashion agency with Robert Garland who was described by Ragtrader as a “veteran rag trader” with over 30 years experience in the fashion industry, with Phoebes Garland described as a “Power Agent” by Assia Benmedjdoub, editor of Ragtrader. Between the two of them, Garland & Garland Fashion has over 50 years sales experience in fashion, publishing and advertising. Garland & Garland Fashion is regularly sought for comment from various media on the latest business fashion topics and issues.

Images via Couturing.com

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia – Day two kicked off with the very anticipated Toni Maticevski Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear collection 2013. There is something about the Maticevski collection which weaves a certain something. Between the music and the garments it evoked a mood, which was almost quite ethereal.

Despite the anticipated wait of the very crowded tent of esteemed editors and V.I.P’s, the collection didn’t disappoint. The models emerged with hints of a ‘barbarella’ look with structured tailoring. Angular shoulders on jackets, cinched waists with pencil skirts and this season the sharp rounded shoulder with distinctive pleating is a key element that threads through the collection.

Other elements included beautiful brocades with embellished trims and with the lighter floaty fabrics in silks consisting of a palette of nudes and flesh tones. Layering is still a key component in the less structured garments, while still ensuring a timeless class. Elegance is clearly something, which Maticevski specializes in and his understanding of the female form is remarkable. A highly saleable collection, which should ensure his customers remain highly faithful for many years.

Written by Phoebes Garland, co-owner of Garland & Garland Fashion, with Robert Garland who was described by Ragtrader as a “veteran rag trader” with over 30 years experience in the fashion industry, while Phoebes Garland was described as a “Power Agent” by Assia Benmedjdoub, Editor of Ragtrader. Between the two of them, Garland & Garland Fashion has over 50 years sales experience in fashion, publishing and advertising. Garland & Garland Fashion is a leading fashion agency based in Sydney and they are regularly sought for comment from various media on the latest business fashion topics and issues.

For more on Maticevski, visit www.tonimaticevski.com

A big thank you to Couturing.com and Autopsy Jude by Wanda Chin for all their assistance and use of images, and the Trish Nichol Agency.