SYDNEY: Fernando Frisoni will draw on 'galactic inspiration' in order to stand out from the crop of labels showing on day four of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW).
Also in the Sydney-based designer's 52-piece offer will be touches of futurism and military, with vivid colours key.
“It is a combination of simple and complicated – just like in real life,” said Frisoni.
Straight-forward dresses and pleated and relaxed pants in a transparent silk georgette will appear. Red, pink, black, blue, nude, beige and ice will inform the colour palette.
“I decided to start with very warm colours for first summer and moved into cool colours for second summer,” he said. “The prints are modern, a little galactic, vibrant, happy and summery.”
The day will launch with Dion Lee, followed by Kirrily Johnston, Ae'lkemi, a collective from TAFE NSW, then Gary Bigeni and Lui Hon.
At 3pm, Melbourne-based label Dhini will hit the runway with a collection inspired by Indian Mughal architecture. Designer Dhini Pararajasingham said this will translate into pieces with laser-cut 'lattice work' elements.
“I’ve used specific shapes and motifs found in Mughal buildings, then abstracted and juxtaposed them,” she said. “Then added gradient to give it depth and a 3D effect. The result is a print that is complex and futuristic looking.”
Draping will feature throughout the range, which Pararajasingham said reflects Mughal-style dress.
“I have taken this idea and translated it in a contemporary, westernised way so that it is relevant for our market,” she said.
Statement items in the 25-piece range will include an empress dress in sapphire and blush prints, as well as a lattice laser-cut jacket. Rose quartz, sapphire, marble and jet black colours will run throughout.
“These symbolise the gemstones that are found in the various Mughal buildings,” she said.
Sydney label Saint Augustine Academy is scheduled for 5.30pm and will present its new womenswear line in addition to its mens offer. The seven-year-old label has previously done two capsule collections for women, but will reveal a full range.
Designer and owner Alvin Manalo said the 25-piece offer is themed on the late 1970's subcultures of Melbourne, which he describes as a "post punk" era. He said the label's usual black and white colour scheme has been peppered with red highlights. Lots of denim and tailoring on casual pieces will feature.
An evening show from womenswear designer Michael LoSordo will reveal prints created in collaboration with Australian artist Christopher Horder.
“Christopher uses inks and paints on a canvas and then submerges them into solutions so that the colours run in organic and cloud-like formations,” Lo Sordo said.
The prints have been digitally transferred onto silks, then crafted into short, sculptured dresses and draped mini-skirts. Neutral shades including nude, cream, black and white will serve as a background, while beige, soft pinks and sky blues will also be in the mix. Scattered cloudy Swarovski crystals will add a sprinkle of glamour.
“I’m paring my design aesthetic right back for this season and focusing on strong, clean tailoring, both in the daywear and evening parts of the range, and letting the delicate draped prints speak for themselves,” he said.
Also on day four, Ruby Smallbone, Gail Sorronda and swimwear label Kooey Australia will show.
RAFW runs until Friday May 7. For more information pick up a copy of Ragtrader's RAFW special edition, available now.