Ever wondered what industry buyers really think of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW)? Roslyn Wright, head buyer for online boutique Frockaholics, offers her thoughts on day four of RAFW 2011. Stay tuned for more...
9:00am: We start another fabulous day at RAFW with the much anticipated Dion Lee show at the Opera House, exciting given Lee's eponymous label will be landing at Frockaholics this summer. With the sun pouring in on our backs the models navigate two catwalks and a set a stairs to show off the fantastic collection of signature dresses in shades of grey, white, pink and blue featuring modern drape detail and pleating. All are exquisitely tailored.
10:00am: A quick dash across Circular Quay and we are seated for White Suede's show at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Featuring summer friendly dresses and separates in muted tones and a bold pink print we are sure Frockaholics customers will love the effortlessly chic quality of the new season line.
11:00am: Racing away from the RAFW site again, we pop into Manning Cartell's Oxford Street store to get up close and personal with that amazing collection we saw on the catwalk on Tuesday.
11:30am: Following on from Rachel Gilbert's glorious and hugely successful show on Tuesday we call in for a buying appointment. Frockaholics is predicting a very successful summer ahead for Rachel.
12:30pm: We think Frockaholics customers will love Natasha Gan's Lustre Summer Two collection. Exclusive prints and silhouettes highlight the look and encompass her design aesthetic. This collection is produced locally and ticks all the right boxes for high summer whether be it for a formal occasion, work or every day. Highlight colours are rust, yellow, kelly green and the silk forest print. We know the three tier maxi will be a must have.
2:00pm: Nicola Finetti's collection titled L'Avventura was inspired by the beautiful 1960s actress Monica Ventti, star of the movie by the same name. The look is very Italian, evoking thoughts of Mediterranean holidays and decadent affluence. We admire the fabric mixes of metallic and natural fibre in black, white and metallic. Nicola always has a great audience for his signature dresses and this year he has added black and white suiting to the mix.
3:00pm: We meet up with Magdalena Velevska at her showroom and find ourselves drooling over her unique and captivating collection again. Her Tuesday show at RAFW is still getting much deserved adulation, which will undoubtedly follow the collection right through summer. We are also very excited about the shoes from the show, which will be available around September.
4:00pm: A colourful collection of easy fit pieces from Tolani (USA) has something to suit every personality and now with sizes from XS – XL. No longer solely kaftans, Tolani have introduced long strappy dresses and skirts, all in delicious prints of soft earthy tones to muted turquoise and pop pinks. They offer the perfect dressing solution for summertime travels. At the same appointment we see the always fun collection from House of Harlow by Nicole Richie (USA). We really love the Chevron Fire Station Necklace in the re-introduced rose gold and the textured cut-out cuff in silver.
5:00pm: With bright poppy pinks and yellows standing out from more muted colours of ivory, sand and brown, Lucette's collection of lace, crochet and linens proves this Australian label is going from strength to strength. The Lucette pant is still a must have and is sure to prove popular with Frockaholics customers.
5.30pm: Back at the RAFW site we are excited about the evening ready-to-wear show that will introduce us to up-and-coming design talents. Sally Koeswanto is one with futuristic warrior inspired gowns, and Luela is another highlight with a return to classic 1950s shapes. Other designers include Antonia Paris and Billi Keato.
7.30pm: Defying convention, Alistair Trung's collection does not follow a theme but rather design principles of abstraction and clean lines. With a focus on plunging and backless styles, the collection features an unconventional material of silk coated in mud to look like leather!
8.30pm: Heading off-site again, we make our way to Josh Goot's summer 2011/12 show, a definite highlight of the week! The interesting venue (while not entirely high heel friendly) provides a powerful industrial background for a simply breathtaking collection of bold brights, quintessentially Goot digital prints and statement neoprene dresses with shocking colour blocking. Oh! And did we mention those shoes!