The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (March 17-23) officially kicks off in – yes! – just 10 more sleeps but bits of it are already firing on all cylinders. The VAMFF Cultural Events Programme sprawls right across the month of March with a tight schedule of exhibitions, talks, workshops and other fashion-related events, then spills into April and even June for a smattering of long-haul events. Voxfrock guest reporter Sarah Carroll combed the programme and picked out some of its most intriguing bits. Here’s her report…
A Sensory Fusion is About To Take Place
This remarkable sensory journey is already well and truly underway, with different designers creating a unique experience of sight, smell, taste and touch on various dates during the four-week series. The designers will transform Gallery One Three, 13 Somerset Place, Melbourne, making it a source of fashion inspiration for all of the senses. Tickets and details, galleryonethree.net
Linda Britten presents Operette:Legato
Melbourne couture designer, Linda Britten fused opera and fashion with enormous success last year. Her presentation this year incorporates ballet and promises to be as breathtaking (pictured, below). Britten will bring to life her 2014 Couture Collection with a performance by The Australian Ballet School next Wednesday, March 12, 7 pm. at the Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne. Tickets, athenaeumtheatre.com.au
Linda Britten.
House Museum Tour: David McAllister Rearranges William Johnston’s Collection
Another person who has made close ties between the world of fashion and ballet is The Australian Ballet’s artistic director David McAllister. For the festival McAllister has reinvented and rearranged William Johnston’s extraordinary collection of antiques, curios and exotica at Melbourne’s unique, Fairhall mansion museum. Johnston’s collection provides the backdrop for McAllister’s ballet-inspired visions including costumes by Desmond Heeley, Akira Isogawa and John F Macfarlane. From next Friday, March 14, until Wednesday, June 25. Guests can be guided through the interiors. Bookings, johnstoncollection.org or 9416 2515.
Nixi Killick Collection launch (Main photo: top)
On Sunday, March 16, the eve of VAMFF’s official opening, up-and-comer Nixi Killick will launch her self-titled label. Last year, Miss Killick opened the 2013 Sportsgirl National Graduate Showcase with enormous success. She recently shared her excitement for this launch on Facebook, encouraging everyone to come along to her 2014 creation and “start looking for the most colourful thing to own to wear! It’s gonna be wild.” Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious and she’s definitely got our interest. Named one to watch, there’s a good chance Killick’s future will be just as bright as her collection of psychedelic streetwear. The show is free, with arrivals from 6 for 7 pm., Toot Sanute, Level 1, 234 Swanston Street, Melbourne, entry from Globe Alley.
Miss Killick’s event is one of many in the Cultural Programme’s Offsite Runway Series. Click here for more details.
In Conversation: Narcissm and Selfies.
We’ve also made a note to see this discussion by a panel including Voxfrock editor, Janice Breen Burns. With the rise and rise of Instagram and Cara Delevigne, talk about narcissism and popular culture couldn’t be more relevant. Mardi Nowak leads the panel as they try they respond to the question, “Are we slaves to our own self-image?” from 12.30 pm., tomorrow, March 8, in the Zelman Room, Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road., Hawthorn. Details and tickets, click here, or phone 9278 4626.
Windows by Design
Downloading the Windows by Design Map is an exciting way to explore Melbourne’s CBD on foot. Fourteen stores have collaborated with leading Australian creatives to re-imagine the retail window space.
VAMFF.Com.AU/windowsbydesign
From Windows By Design
Alexi Freeman and Studio Two for DeDeCe gallery. Photo: Lucas Dawson.
I Am Melbourne Now
And while you’re wandering the streets, look around; you may see the subjects of this project by VAMFF and the National Gallery of Victoria. Photographers will be capturing the best of Melbourne street-fashions for the I Am Melbourne Now Tumblr page. Be sure and visit iammelbournenow.tumblr.com/ throughout March for a cross-section of Melbourne style.
From I am Melbourne Now
Photo: Sam Wong
The cultural programme is simply too broad and varied to do more than pluck a few gems out of its mix for this post. There is also a wonderful collection of fashion films scheduled at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), for one of many examples, worth a post in itself. However, the best way to explore and plan is by taking a cruise on www.VAMFF.com.au/culturalprogram. With dancing, darkness, drama and the city’s best designs on offer, there’s literally something for every fashion fan and their dog. In fact, see Dogtired’s Walking the Dog with Style, April 22, 3 pm., Alfred Place, Melbourne, if you doubt it!.
Sarah Carroll, intern@voxfrock.com.au, with Janice Breen Burns, jbb@voxfrock.com.au
