Now dust has settled on Day One of Melbourne Fashion Festival’s premium runways, VoxFrocker Ru Elliot ruminates on Australian designers who stay in Australia. No answers but; lucky us. Scroll down to meet Ru and photographer, Theadora Violet, and click back here and here for daily updates from the VoxFrock Rookie Crew of emerging fashion journalists and photographers at MFF.
Words: Ru Elliot Photographs: Theadora Violet
Why here? It’s a question we all ask ourselves (at least, those of us spinning in fashion’s orbit). And it’s a question many designers tackle themselves. Opening night of the Melbourne Fashion Festival’s premium runways featured a multiplicity of designers across the spectrum of Australian fashion and one can only wonder again; why here?
Australia is a relatively small fashion market in the grand scheme of things. We’re not as large as other fashion capitals and yet so many brands choose, despite their growing international outreach, to continue to show here.
After Aje’s last show in 2024, Vogue writer Luke Leitch shared (uncorroborated) rumours that the brand might fly the nest, leave the Australian schedule altogether. But tonight, in their 16th year of business, here they are.
Aje designers Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris presented looks ranging from a slinky, ribbed-knit dress to tiered floral gowns, bouncing between a contemporary edginess and lighter, more airy aesthetic. Femininity defined by both structure and billowiness.
Sharp tailored pants gave way to voluminous tops, and monochrome gave way to lovingly concocted prints. Perhaps their desire to stay is rooted in this country’s vast distances (and therefore styles) that exist between our cities and climates.
Whilst perhaps not in the same boat, Gail Sorronda returned to the catwalk only two years ago after an eight year absence. Her return has been a joy to watch. The designer has quietly but consistently evolved her gothic look, working in a pallet of black and white, sheer and opaque.
Her showing opened tonight’s runway, each model holding a rose, as if for a funeral or to gift an unrequited love. Present, however, was a modern edge with emblazoned caps grounding garments that otherwise floated down the runway like waking dreams.
Romance Was Born ended the show with a celebration. While the collection was officially titled Prom, the finale look featuring Australian actress Toni Collette in the iconic Muriel’s Wedding film was so fun and wedding-like, it really didn’t matter what sort of celebration it was.
ABBA’s ‘Fernando’ blared through the sound system accompanying a parade of quilted garments reminiscent of a wedding bed, love-heart motifs and enough bows and flowers to almost overwhelm. Maximalism, however, kept tastefully in check.
Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett of Romance was Born famously turned down an offer to work with John Galliano in the early days of their brand. The opportunity could have propelled them to even higher international heights, but instead, they’ve created their own universe. So Why here? Who knows. In any case here they are, and for now here they stay. Lucky us.
Meet the VoxFrockers
Ru Elliot, journalist
Ru has assisted in the curation of historical fashion exhibitions and currently works in a variety of roles with local designers while on a hiatus from tertiary study. Her journalism projects have featured in publications such as ALICE.D magazine and zines published around Melbourne, London and Paris. Ru is passionate about exploring links between the zeitgeist, the past and the contemporary fashion landscape.
Theadora Violet, photographer
