FASHFEST Ticket on sale NOW

Pin It Now!

 

Tickets for FASHFEST 2014—the biggest annual fashion event on Canberra’s social calendar— are on sale TODAY at 9am. Tickets for approximately 850 seats a night are being sold for the red-carpet event through www.fashfest.com.au Face of Fashest: Belinda Riding \\ Designer: Sovata \\ On location at Canberra Airport \\ Hair: Form Haircutters \\ MUA: M:Artistry \\ Photographer: Leighton Hutchinson Last year the inaugural four-day FASHFEST was packed with more than 3,350 guests attending (1,200 were expected). The atmosphere was such a buzz. Pre-show and post-show drinks were almost as awesome as the parades. Unlike last year, FASHFEST 2014 has Pre-assigned seating. This means tickets will sell like hotcakes! You’ve really got to be quick QUICK! Tickets on sale: VIP experience package ($150)—Includes a front row seat for the fashion show, guided backstage tour (to see behind-the-scenes action), gift bag, two complimentary drinks at the Moet et Chandon-sponsored VIP bar (pre and post event). VIP ticket ($110)—same as above but without the guided backstage tour. Platinum experience ($135)—available for the first time. Enjoy a second row seat for the fashion parade, a guided backstage tour. Mingle at the bar pre-show and post-show. Other types of tickets are platinum ($95), gold ($75) and general admission ($65). You can save by buying a four-day package (general admission) - $200 for all four nights. FASHFEST 2014 will once again be held at Canberra Airport, in its industrial-chic space. Each night features new shows, so all four nights are equally worth going to.  Event Details Dates: 30 April to 3 May Time: 7 for 8.30 start Location: 3 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Business Park, Canberra Airport   Buy your tickets now at http://fashfest.com.au!   P.S. Dress warmly!

FASHFEST News: Who is Belinda Riding?

Pin It Now!  

In 1986, Belinda Riding was just a Canberra Girls Grammar student when she was discovered as a model by choreographer Ken Moncrief. Her international modeling career taking off from there, she moved to beautiful Paris and went on to grace the cover of French Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, German Vogue and Grazia, just to name a few. Throughout her highly successful career, she worked with the world’s premier designers, including Chanel, Hermes, Comme des Garcons and Missoni. Why am I telling you all this? Well, it was officially announced today that Belinda Riding has been anointed Face of Fashfest 2014 (taking over from Anneliese Seubert).  As the Face of Fashfest, we will see Belinda representing this four day event in the lead up, and we might also expect that she will walk down the runway in key looks from this year’s collections (I’m still having flashbacks of Anneliese in that unforgettable blue and gold Rockstars and Royalty number last year!).     ‘It’s an honour to participate in Fashfest,’ says Belinda. ‘Designers and models need a serious and professional platform like this to showcase their work, gain experience and flourish in the industry. That’s why it’s fantastic that Canberra now has Fashfest. It’s the biggest fashion event held here—our own version of Sydney Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival and Brisbane Fashion Festival.’   Fashfest 2014 will be held at the Canberra airport on 30 April to 3 May. This year will be even bigger and better than its inaugural year—more ticket sales; pre-assigned seating; new designers on board; fabulous musicians and DJs; VIP guests from here and interstate; retails scouting for labels to stock; and more.  Tickets will be on sale soon. And if it’s anything like last year, you’ll have to get in quick because they sell out fast! Find out more on www.fashfest.com.au!

FASHFEST 2014 MODEL SEARCH

Pin It Now!

Has it already been almost a year since FASHFEST Canberra 2013? Last year’s whirlwind four days of fashion, parties and the best of Canberra’s local talent are still fresh on my mind. This year, FASHFEST, the biggest annual fashion event in Canberra, is anticipated to be even more phenomenal than the last. As part of making that happen, the all important search is on for the models who will be walking the runways in this year’s new collections. A huge turn out of 140+ models gathered at East Hotel (a major event partner) for FASHFEST’s Model Casting yesterday, making it the biggest model casting ever held in Canberra. What was so refreshing about yesterday’s model casting was that we saw more than just your usual model archetype (impossibly skinny and legs for miles). ‘We’re looking for men and women, including different nationalities and some plus-size models,’ says Andrea Hutchinson, FASHFEST co-founder and judging panel member. ‘It’s about the perfect fit for the fashion being produced by the designers who have been selected to launch new collections at FASHFEST.’ FASHFEST aims not only to open up modeling opportunities, but also to provide models with support and training. Models who get through the model call will be able to participate in training sessions so that they will get the most out of the FASHFEST experience. In other news, a number of Canberra designers who have been selected to show their collections at FASHFEST are hiding out in plain sight at innovative retail/studio space Three Little Birds & Little Boy Blue at New Acton Nishi. Do check it out if you haven’t already! FASHFEST veteran labels SZN and Perpetually Five will be showing at the four day event, as well as as official FASHFEST Graduate Designer 2014, Character. Mitch Thompson of Perpetually Five has hinted at venturing more into womenswear this year, and Character’s Holly Squair has set out to create unique prints for her collection. FASHFEST is a showcase of Canberra fashion — four nights, four distinct shows. The 2014 event will be held 30 April to 3 May, at the Canberra Airport, a major FASHFEST partner. Find out more on the FASHFEST website and keep up to date on their facebook and twitter!   More social photos on the ClosetVoyage facebook page!             Designer Suzan Dlouhy (SZN); Canberra Bloggers: Heatstorm Blog, Ink & Leathers Blog & H2T Fashion Blog Designers Mitch Thompson (Perpetually Five) & Louisa de Smet (Corr Blimey)  FASHFEST Producers Steve Wright & Nick Ellis; FASHFEST Co-Founder Andrea Hutchinson Designer Holly Squair (Character)

Featured - OutInCanberra.com.au

Pin It Now!

 

It was an incredible honour to be dubbed one of ‘Canberra’s Most Stylish’ in 2013 on Canberra’s quintessential entertainment guide website, OutInCanberra.com.au, this month. Not the least because I was mentioned along side some of my local fashion idols: style consultant and racing MC Sarah Kelly, Australia’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Jade Le Flay Schrooder, stylist and fashion boutique owner Daniella Jukic (Alice be Curious) and second hand clothing mogul Taylor Pitsilos (Designer Op Shop). Read the article here! The wonderfully kind article was written by Jemma Mrdak, who, coincidentally also has her own fashion blog – check it out at http://www.bellamentestyle.com/!

Villainess – Canberra Fashion Photography Exhibition

Pin It Now!

This week Villainess launched, a fashion photography exhibition born out of a collaboration between Georgia Kartas (blogger at Red Magpie), Elley Freer (Photographer) and Laura McLeanne (Makeup Artist). The photography series sought to vivify those thespian alter egos that we would not dream of inhabiting in our mundane nine-to-five lives, but that, no doubt, lie deep within – our inner Villainesses. Incorporating pieces from Canberra’s local independent designers, legendary female antagonists of familiar bedtime stories, modern film and video games were reborn, from Morgan Le Fay of Arthurian legend (in EDITION (Alice Sutton)), to Silent Hill’s terrifying Pyramid Head (in Kathy Kalokerinos). Many items photographed, including headpieces by Bronwen Stead and Annika Hutchins, were created especially for this project. Also involved was Canberra evening wear designer Sofia Polak. The Villainess team’s vision of the ten female archetypes were dark and sensual, and savagely beautiful. Notably, the Borg Queen (Star Trek Next Generation, if you were wondering) in SZN (Suzan Dlouhy) dress, worn upside, was unsettling but thrilling to behold like a good horror movie. Tying the wildly diverging images together were underlying themes of femininity and elegance, which were expressed as powerful but corrupt by vulnerability. This, perhaps, is a simplistic but passable summation of the female condition. After all, it only makes sense that our villainous alter ego is both the antithesis and the reflection of our true natures. Villainess is showing through 9 November 2013 at Kaori Gallery, Corner of Hobart St and London Cct, Canberra.

Morgan Le Fay

The Borg Queen

Georgia Kartas, Fashion Editor for Villainess

Audiences overflow onto street.

Pick up the beautiful Villainess booklet while you still can!

Screw the Usual Fashion Show [Hustle & Scout x Haus Models Parade 2013]

Pin It Now!

For all those who’ve ever thought that fashion parades are all the same, consider the following as me saying my piece. Saturday night’s inaugural Hustle & Scout Twilight Fashion Market at NewActon Nishi ended with a late night fashion show by Haus Models. Just like Hustle & Scout, and indeed Nishi itself, the show was youthful, self assured and ‘different’. It’s the kind of ‘different’ you get when you mix unlikely elements and get something refreshingly good, like peppermint oatmeal, train car hotels, and in this case, models in three dimensional animal masks. On the night, models of Haus Models play acted their woodland animal alter egos. They not so much walked the ‘cat walk’ as prowled, appearing from backstage as if wondering right in from the woods. Read on for more photos!

Exciting Retail Space Open in Canberra: Assemblage Project

Pin It Now!

 

Hippo Co Canberra Private Opening

Pin It Now!

 

July Haul

Pin It Now!

Vintage Glam Photo Shoot Behind the Scenes Video

Pin It Now!

 

Over the past two weeks I’ve been a busy little bee with a Canberra based fashion project. Maddy (www.mummawoosah.com) and HerCanberra.com.au editor, Amanda came up with a simple idea of styling some outfits on a budget to help promote this year’s Lifeline ball, and it snowballed into an epic editorial photo shoot involving about 30 of Canberra’s fashion industry talent and personalities and six local businesses. Here’s a short behind the scenes video of the day of the shoot – enjoy!

How to be a Fashion Blogger

Pin It Now!

 

Closet Voyage in In The Can Magazine

Pin It Now!

 

This month I was asked to help style a vintage glam editorial photo shoot for HerCanberra’s ‘In The Can’ magazine. This issue is a Vintage Glam special, showing how it’s possible to put together gorgeous formal outfits on a budget by shopping at Canberra’s many vintage/second hand shops. I styled my 50’s couture outfit with pieces from local vintage seller, Librarian Chic.  modeled by the gorgeous Molly Folkard (her to-die-for red hair and the emerald dress was a sight to behold) and photographed by Red Photography. 5 other outfits were styled by Maddy of Mummawoosah, Fiona of Opshoppers, Elle of Elle's Fashion Boudoir and Georgia of Red Magpie. This gorgeous issue of In The Can is out right now! Check out mine and the other 5 vintage glam looks here!

IN THE WILDWOOD

Pin It Now!

 

Canberra Fashionistas Represent on ASOS.com

Pin It Now!

 

In May ASOS.com asked yours truly to be ACT’s representative in the ASOS State of Fashion Campaign, and fashionistas from each state were encouraged to upload a photo of their A/W look for a chance to win a $1000 ASOS wardrobe! It was so great to see all the entries from Canberra, showing the rest of the nation that Canberra is a stylish place. Read on to see my favourite entries and find out how you can participate!

Help From The Underground–get excited about thrifting

Pin It Now!

 

Thrifting, op-shopping, charity shop chic – what ever you call it - it’s the art of discovering gems from people’s second hand clothing and helping the less fortunate at the same time. Canberra is one Australian city that has the art perfected, and this was demonstrated at the spectacular annual Help From The Underground charity fashion show, held in partnership between Zoo Advertising and the St Vincent de Paul Society. The concept: Six local designers who showed collections at FASHFEST in May) had to each source from Vinnies Warehouse six total looks that reflected their philosophy as a designer. This was, at least, the official line. But nothing could have prepared audiences for the looks that came down the runway on the night. Read on to find out more!

 

Canberra’s Independent Fashion Arrive at the Canberra Centre

Pin It Now!

 

All independent designers dream of opening up their a boutique in a major shopping mall. For the first time in Canberra, this opportunity is being offered to Canberra’s up and coming fashion labels. CBR Collective officially opened at the Canberra Centre on 24 May 2013. This is one special boutique, where Canberra fashionistas will be able to get their hands on exclusive pieces produced by outstanding local labels, including those seen parading collections at FASHFEST in May. Read on to find out more!

Help From the Underground: Inside Information and the Pop-up Op Shop

Pin It Now!

 

It’s just TWO DAYS away, and I’ve got some secret inside information about Canberra’s Help From The Underground op-shop fashion parade. Close to 400 people have RSVP’d for the event already and a packed house of 600 is expected. I got together with fellow Canberran bloggers to secretly plot a pop-up op shop to be held on the night! Read on to find out more!

 

Introducing: Shauna Hagan at Sustainable Threads

Pin It Now!

 

This Thursday, six Canberra fashion designers passionate about sustainability in design, showed collections at the Sustainable Threads fashion show. While many of the designers previously participated FASHFEST in May, this year, Shauna Hagan (LOST) is new on the scene, and brings with her a unique point of view and a collection that every Canberra girl will surely be racing to get her hands on. Read on to find out more!

Secret Sneak Peek at the Canberra Sustainable Threads Fashion Show

Pin It Now!

 

Sustainable Threads, to be held this Thursday, is the next big fashion event to hit Canberra this year, but this will not just be a fashion parade to showcase amazing local designers (or to drink champagne and hobnob). It will be a show to reflect an important movement in fashion, the incorporation of the concept of environmental sustainability in fashion design.  Tonight I was invited to take a secret look at what is to be expected at Sustainable Threads’ rehearsal.  Read on to find out more!

 

Luke Chiswell Collection Launch

Pin It Now!