Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is firing on all cylinders in the City Square Hub and Town Hall but will wind up its final shows tomorrow. Best get a wiggle on if you’ve not caught one yet. Or, settle back for guest Voxfrocker, Alexia Petsinis’ poetic report from the frows with accompanying photographs by Lucas Dawson
Miss Alexia
ALANNAH HILL – THE HUB
A cutesy gaggle of doe-eyed dolly girls strutted down Alannah Hill’s runway. Hair teased high and enough sassy-strut to send sequined hemlines flying back to the 1950s, the utterly feminine offerings ranged from delicate lace shifts to polka dotted dress coats and swing dresses, all kissed with the brand’s unmistakable vintage allure. Commencing with spring florals, the show matured into a striking, all-black finale with delicate garment details such as the return of the neck tie and high-buttoned collar charming us along the way.
Standout pieces included a joyous floral paisley frock with soft waist tie that made us rather want to picnic on iced Vo-vo’s in spring sunshine, followed by a ultra-glam pale mauve number with voluminous box pleats hung effortlessly from the hips. Pair this with a little faux fur stole, and vintage glamour is not so hard to achieve after all.
OPENING GALA – MELBOURNE TOWN HALL
A couture narrative of extravagant proportions; moody and poignant, this showcase presented some of Australia’s leading designers including Carla Zampatti, Akira Isogawa, Jason Grech (main photograph, top) and Aurelio Costarella. Each collection contributed to a mythical depiction of spring light thawing a city ravaged by winter’s clutch. Operatic quavers and a haunting string instrumental set the highly dramatic tone.
Craig Braybrook Couture opened with a vision of Baroque decadence. Gold and black brocade-style laces adorned sweeping, heavily embellished gowns offset by breathtaking creations from bridal jeweler Jeanette Marie. Jason Grech (main photograph, top) offered European opulence of a different kind with his Gladiator collection; a series of billowing black and nude-toned dresses finished with bronze laser-cut foiling.
Gwendolynne’s swoon-worthy creations featured streamlined silhouettes, each characterised by the various bead encrusted patterns that spanned from the bodice. Voluminous forms were the hero of Rachel Gilbert’s collection, her red Addyson skirt a clear crowd favourite, enhanced by a sequinned top of the same colour.
Collections by Zhivago and Aurelio Costarella were darkly romantic, the latter exploring dramatic ruffle features on shoulders and hemlines that moved in weighty curls. In stark contrast were Nevenka’s whimsical pieces, fragile doily-like cloth constructions that might appear to crumble with a mere breath of air.
Carla Zampatti and Akira rounded out the spectacle with striking hues of yellow, sapphire blue and tangerine. Leathery textures were mixed with sheer silks and florals in Akira’s watery Japanese prints and pictorial nature scenes billowing from capes and cloaks. Truly a spectacle for the senses.
Alexia Petsinis, info@voxfrock.com.au, @alexiapetsinis and www.alexiapetsinis.com
