Flowers and Power Suits

It’s the pointy end of Melbourne Fashion Week and Voxfrock’s Rookie crew of future journalists and photographers is already cherry-picking, crystalising and listing the trends most likely to bristle in your wardrobe in the next six months. On duty, just for you, at Runways 3 and 4 in MFW’s Town Hall:  Victoria Gillett (words) and  Emma Gillett (photographs).

In the immortal words of Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada); “Florals? For Spring? Ground-breaking”. But, sarcasm aside, florals have indeed swept through Melbourne Fashion Week like a spring breeze, crisp in linens and perennially refreshing in many collections.

An influential mix of Australia’s most respected designers including Alice McCall, Lee Mathews, By Him, and Atoir showcased their collections in the Melbourne Town Hall’s Runway shows 3 and 4, focusing on femininity and elegance with a fashion-forward edge.

With luxe fabrics, floral prints, splashes of colour and delicate embroidery, many pieces embodied feminine individuality with contemporary, easy-to-wear nonchalance, all the better to deliver us from winter’s cold embrace.

Expertly balanced ensembles of pastel hues, blacks and linen whites dominated in summery picnic chic, perfectly captured by Alice McCall with pink gingham pieces (only lacking was a wicker basket) and variations on the traditional peasant blouse.

Silky, flowing fabrics featured in 70s mod stripes, spots and florals, signature pastels with pops of hot pink and tangerine orange.

Sophisticated glamour twinned with elegant power-dressing; structured pants, trench coats, belted dresses and military styles notably by Elliatt, Torannce, Acler and Anna Quan.

In the same theme, power suits were the mainstay for many designers, notably Misha with white double-breasted blazers and Atoir with classic Chanel-style plaids. The looks were both exaggerated and softened by masculine silhouettes and feminine detailing such as puffed off-shoulder sleeves, pom poms and pleated frills.

The ultra-feminine styling was toned down to an elegant minimalism, with hair-bows by Ge.Label and subtle eye-makeup colour pops by Mecca.

In the VIP Lounge, designer Effie Kats talked about the starring role of tailored suits on the runway this year. “I love seeing a lot of tailoring and more androgynous styling,” she said. “Women are going for bolder shapes, with exaggerated shoulders and masculine silhouettes; they aren’t afraid to be more adventurous. It’s a really exciting time.”

Metallic, matrix-style pieces such as tie-waist leather coats and shimmering slips also moved the adventurous mood with sharp-edged and feminine pieces.

On the front row, Masterchef star Khanh Ong was delighted: “The tailoring was divine,” he said. “My favourite were the pieces from By Him, especially the red striped jacket and pink double-breasted jacket; I’m going to try to get my hands on that for the Spring Carnival.”

Meet the crew: