The Voxfrock Rookies are fashion’s future journalists, sharp as tacks, ethically sound, radars ever-pinging for the knutty knub of every frocky story. Their wordskills are honed at Voxfrock’s knee, and at the runways, media risers, street beats, backstage and everywhere newness and nextness blossom around Australia’s fashion weeks. Please welcome RMIT journalism student Rosie Macquire (pictured) and photographer Reannon Smith to our Voxfrock Rookie crew, teaming up for Melbourne Fashion Week 2017, Premium Runway Two.
Rosie Macquire
Words: Rosie Macquire Pictures: Reannon Smith
Melbourne Fashion Week took a stand on Marriage Equality last night, with the final walk of Premium Runway Two representing a same-sex wedding ceremony, church bells and all.
Marriage Equality, runway style. Photo: Reannon Smith
Against a projected backdrop of “Love is Love” and rainbow flags, two female models took to the runway with a “wedding party” of more models posing behind them.
Fashion designers who confront social and political issues in their collections are increasingly common, particularly in recent years. At last season’s collection shows at New York, London, Paris and Milan, for example, several took positions on feminism, diversity, Brexit, Planned Parenthood and, not forgetting, Donald Trump.
But, is fashion’s choice, to shine a light on politics, just cashing in on activism? Or are brands and companies now finally able to start making change?
Zambesi. Photo: Reannon Smith
Whichever your side of the argument, this show brought its audience back down to earth and reminded them that, while fashion can be about the iridescent outerwear of Zambesi or Sarah Hope Schofield’s voluminous gowns (revealed to be pants), it’s now also about promoting change.
Sarah Hope Schofield. Photo: Reannon Smith
Designers in Premium Runway Two were Akira, Alpha 60, Ginger & Smart, Manning Cartel, Sarah Hope Schofield and Zambesi and although none of them directly made political statements in their collections, it’s safe to assume they approved of the show’s sub-agenda: Love is Love.
Premium Runway backdrop. Photo: Reannon Smith
