Ó Magazine: Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival

Australian upcoming and established designers painted the city a palette of bright, bold and pastel at this year’s Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival, held from September 5- 11. This annual fashion week program mixes exhibitors, designer showcases and business seminars with over 100 events held around the city. Gracing the runway like seasoned professionals were Australia’s Next Top Model alumni Alice Burdeu and fashion week ambassador Sophie Van Den Akker.

Melbourne’s famed accessories retailer and buyer Christine Barros of Christine showcased her latest collection; a collision of retro palazzo prints meets techno-tribal with a polished edge. Metal hardware, chains and leopard print was a common theme, nonchalantly hanging off the models’ arm, adorned as a neckpiece or piled on wrists. In this case, more was definitely more.

On the other end of the spectrum, Yeojin Bae’s ‘Premier 11’ line celebrated femininity and fluidity with stretch sateen shirts, worn unbuttoned over sateen bras and tucked into silk faille skirts. The muted palette of French navy, peach and blush, with a kick of Trafalgar red and cobalt blue was consistent with Bae’s slightly undone, carefree yet modern aesthetic, which made her Spring collection more Ready-to-Wear than ever.

Jade Sarita Arnott of Arnsdorf, now based in New York City, took the humble white shirt and spun it her own way for Spring/Summer in dotted Swisse silk with contrasting geometric panelling in pastel green. A fuchsia drenched silk trench coat with off-centre buttoning stole the show, challenging the idea of the classic ‘Mac’ coat. Swathed in silk, the collection focused on subtle draping, showing that a hint of skin really speaks volumes.

Yeojin Bae: http://www.yeojinbae.com

Arnsdorf: http://www.arnsdorf.com.au

Christine: http://www.christineaccessories.tumblr.com