Oz fashion kicks on at MMSFW
Showing a full trans-seasonal autumn collection at RAFW during the same week after RAFW organisers brought the date forward by several weeks, Melbourne designer Anna Thomas emerged from both events as a rising star following her spring summer showcase in The Dress Code parade on day one of MMSFW.
Featuring frocks, pants, shirts and skirts in fresh greens, tangerines greys and acquas, complemented by black baby doll dresses and black tailored jackets finished with acqua blue buttons, the show - and its RAFW counterpart - had commentators proclaiming Thomas as "the next [founder of Melbourne retail label Saba] Joseph Saba".
Dress Code also featured Nicola Finetti's delicate knits and balloon skirts with the standout a yellow, blue, black and red jester print frock.
Continuing the playful theme were Caravana's green maxi skirts decorated with carousel ponies while Jayson Brunsden's satin frill coats and dresses and floor length gowns in dusky pink shot silk - as well as Aurelio Costarella's gauzy teale dresses and skirts - lent exoticism to the parade.
Breathing edgy new life into evening wear, Alpha 60's photographic print dresses formed a high point in day two's Future Project show, as did Obus' baby blue skirts with black and white chequer board hems and chocolate frocks and skirts trimmed with vivid lapiz.
The trend for stripes continued apace in the form of Arabella Ramsay's striped jackets - this year highlighted with vivid orange were also teamed with florals in the case of Gorman's wearable separates and frocks.
Mad Cortes' bubble skirts, baby doll dresses and high waisted silk dresses in shades of caramel, or Kirrily Johnston's black and cream satin secretary dress with "Pierrot" collar showed old school feminity still a strong trend.
Aptly named The Gallery, day three's show started in a sculptural vein with Richard Nylon's millinery followed by T.V.'s witty white and grey separates in pale grey and pewter tones.
ESS Hoshika's quasi-architectual feat of design included cut-away pinafore dresses, slashed and draped jackets or puff-sleeve shirts elevated beyond type through gathered holes in the sleeves.
Men's and womenswear label Manvious followed with ruched mens pants and off-the-shoulder dresses, while Out with Demons took a daring turn in the form of silver and gold dresses.
Driving home her recent move away from ready to wear, Melbourne stalwart Gwendolynne impressed with 1920s screen goddess-meets-elf-queen evening gowns in mushroom, champagne and pale grey chiffons and satins, highlighted with beaded epaulettes or spidery adornments.
Vixen rounded off The Gallery show with layered garments in oranges and pinks, acquas and lapiz blues that teamed a variety of floral and geometric prints.
The final show on day four - dubbed The Blue Room - kicked off with White Suede's floor length yellow frock and black sash, while maxi frocks and knickerbocker jumpsuits lent the show a late 1970s feel.
Leopold impressed with clean cut, commercial menswear and Roger Grinstead's feminine touch was evident in floaty mini-dresses.
Striking a quirky, rebellious note was Flux's array of men's beach and streetwear, complemented by Morrissey's fresh stripes and florals on sundresses for girls and checked Bermuda shorts for men.
Rounding off MMSFW was industry legend Bettina Liano, whose collection of sexy frilled blouses, skirts and dresses in scarlet, black and gold confirmed her iconic status.