On this glorious summery day at the tail end of Melbourne Fashion Week Voxfrock rookie journalist Kaylah-Joelle Baker joins an offbeat runway on a bridge over the Yarra. Photos: Kelly Defina
A shining sun, cool breeze, classic 1970s tunes and the Melbourne city skyline as a backdrop; it’s hard to imagine a more perfect day for Riverview Runway. “I’ve been dying to experience Fashion Week again,” says happy ticketholder Jyssa Licod at the show staged across the Yarra River’s Seafarer’s Bridge. “And to be able to be here [in person]…!”
Jyssa came especially for the Aje collection and its similarities to her own, “ladylike and very flowing” style but was also inspired, she says, by all the “vibrant and colourful” collections.
Rebecca Vallance opened the show, filling the bridge with bold, tropical and abstract prints in co-ordinates and flowy dresses with trim details and wrap-tie features.
A violin was strummed as Sass & Bide’s models strutted in tie-dyed denim, mixed prints and sequins.
Veronika Maine played to a tropical holiday theme with Hawaiian palm tree and jungle-inspired prints and a flowing black tiered dress for sophisticated summer nights.
DIIDA graced the bridge with high-end party looks in blended animal prints and sequins.
For men, M.J. Bale mixed and matched prints and tailored suits in casual- meets-formal combinations.
Rachel Gilbert’s summery formal dresses played with polka-dots, pastel feminine shapes and feather trims.
Manning Cartell infused lilac, bold prints and golden hues into playful tailored shorts, sleeveless blazers and pleated dresses.
Jyssa’s favorite collection, Aje, was a highlight of simple statement details in endearingly sweet frocks featuring voluminous tiers, puffy sleeves and dramatic bows.
Finally, Bec & Bridge closed the show with relaxed sets featuring gathered bust details, cut-outs and spagetti straps in bold yellows and browns
Meet the rookie
Kaylah-Joelle Baker is a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) graduate, RMIT with ambitions to write across a range of topics on fashion, health and cultural issues.
