MELBOURNE SPRING FASHION WEEK IS PEAKING WITH FULL-HOUSE CROWDS AT ITS KEY HUB AND TOWN HALL VENUES. VOXFROCKERS NENAGH MCNEECE-DOLEY AND ALEXIA PETSINIS HAVEN’T MISSED A BEAT BY LULULEMON, CARLY HUNTER, YB J’AIME, NEO DIA, ALICE MCCALL, LIFE WITH BIRD, MANNING CARTEL, WILLOW, KAHLO AND LUI HON. HERE ARE THEIR REPORTS FROM DAY 5…
DESIGNER RUNWAY 2 -MELBOURNE TOWN HALL (Words: Nenagh McNeece-Doley. Pictures: Lucas Dawson Photography)
Nine designers challenged minimalism as we know it, infusing the straight-cut white-washed austerity we’re accustomed to with vivid colours and even prints. Carly Hunter grasped the essence of modernism for her opening looks including paper-like crepe fabric elegantly moulded into squarish garments. Turquoise and watermelon were splashed in with minimalist classics black and white.
Carly Hunter
Photo: Lucas Dawson
Yeojin Bae’s YB J’aime livened au courant two-piece suits and collared dresses with vibrant daisy-print blouses and ruffled bustlines.
YB J’Aime by Yeojin Bae
Photo: Lucas Dawson
Neo Dia’s take on the casual/corporate look involved strokes of magenta swept across pristine silk. Always a standout, Alice McCall borrowed from 1970s-style simplicity for her minimalist theme, with wrap dresses and jumpsuits composed in soothing pastels. These paired with items of fun femininity, including cartoonistic lipstick motifs on fluted skirts, and featuring the floral applique for which McCall is known.
Alice McCall
Photo: Lucas Dawson
Crowd favourite, Life With Bird made non-traditional use of sheer netting in variously coloured boxy blouses and flowing skirts. Delicate white chiffon was cut and configured in angular garments that appeared to float along the runway.
Life with Bird
Photo: Lucas Dawson
(Also showcased in Designer Runway 2, were collections by Manning Cartel, Willow, (featured, main picture, top: Photo by Lucas Dawson) KAHLO and Lui Hon.)
LULULEMON – THE HUB (Words and picture: Alexia Petsinis)
Lululemon Athletica’s free show, a dynamic spectacle of colour and movement with a healthy dose of funk by a team of professional dancers and yogis, had punters literally bopping in their seats. Opening with its Studio collection for yoga and leisure, a group of flexi ladies (and one gent) showed poses apparently never seen on a runway before. Rotating Arabesque into Downward Dog? Not your average! Lululemon’s popular leggings were shown in black, marle grey and navy, and singlet tops, vests and even backpacks with dainty spring prints. Next, a Street collection featured more of a fashion focus for wear when you’re not working out. Neat dropped-crotch pant styles featuring sheer panels co-ordinated with elegant oversized tunics for the ultimate in comfy chic. For gents, classic zipper jackets were smartened by additions such as slim mandarin collars.
Lululemon’s spring cardio range is pumped up with fuchsia bursts; would you like some funk with that?
The Hub’s roof lifted a little as the Lululemoners forward-somersaulted into a pump-pump-shake-it Cardio time segment. This final range was all about crop tops and shortie-shorts; gear to get your heart racing. Explosive fuchsia pinks and mauve tones co-ordinated with black bike shorts and ¾ leggings, while statement garments including a bold floral cropped jacket were versatile enough for pre and post workout wear. Spring’s off and running – keep up in style!
