FASHFEST Ticket on sale NOW

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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?

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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

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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)

Villainess – Canberra Fashion Photography Exhibition

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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!

Label Ministry is almost here!

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Above via NATALIE & SARAH As the date draws near, I can’t help getting giddy about Sydney’s Label Ministry Runway Event 2013, which will be held in less than two weeks, on 13 November! There are so many local Australian designers to get excited about this year who will be showing collections at the event including Canberra’s very own Alice Sutton (EDITION) and Andie Meredith! Also to get excited about are Natalie & Sarah (as seen at Merceded Benz Fashion Week), and amazing Perth designer Yan Zion. In the big bad fashion world - which all but alienates us average folk - events like Label Ministry is as much about us as it is about the fashion. It always amazing how much world class talent is coming out of Australia all the time, and these events give us the unique privilege to experience their beginning before they conquer the world (which is surely only a matter of time). It’s the same emotionally invested feeling you get being the first to buy that indie rock band’s CD or making that newly opened corner cafe your hang out before anyone else does. Exclusivity via obscurity - nothing is cooler than that. So now I’m wondering, will you all be joining me at this years’ Label Ministry Runway Event? For Canberrans it’s guaranteed to be worth travelling up to Sydney for! The deets are this-a-ways: Time: 7:30 pm Date: 13 November 2013 Place: Cell Block Theatre, National Art School Forbs St, Darlinghurst, SYDNEY BUY THE EXCLUSIVE TICKETS HERE!

 

EDITION by Alice Sutton

Andie Meredith

 
Yan Zion

The location: Cell Block Theatre

Keep up with all the updates buy following Label Ministry on Facebook and Twitter!

Hippo Co Canberra Private Opening

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How to be a Fashion Blogger

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

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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!

 

Secret Sneak Peek at the Canberra Sustainable Threads Fashion Show

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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!

 

Art on walls

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We spend the first years of our life learning all the rules and getting in trouble for breaking them. Then for the rest of those, we slowly learn that breaking the rules is ok, and sometimes, rewarded. I don’t know about your household, but in mine, drawing on the walls was punishable by the longest periods of naughty corner confinement. But at the New Acton complex in Canberra, the owners not only permitted, but encouraged artists (and other randoms) to adorn its many prominent faces with larger than life illustrations, during its Art Not Apart event in March. The artwork looks so amazing that I had to return and use them as backdrops for one of my outfit shoots. Dressed in black and greys against these walls, I rather felt like a drawing of a girl rather than a real one.

FASHFEST Canberra Secret Location Revealed

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On 1-4 May 2013, Canberra is going to have its own Fashion Week like fashion experience, putting Canberra’s world class fashion talent in the spotlight in one big event, for the first time in this city’s history. Over 20 local designers will show exclusive collections at FASHFEST Canberra, with more still to be announced. Until now, the location of FASHFEST has been kept a closely guarded secret, even from the designers. Earlier this week, media and bloggers turned out for FASHFEST’s official launch, held in the Atrium of Canberra Airport where this secret location was finally announced. Read on to find out more!

Instagram-a-fied: Us Folk 1st Birthday and Issue 4 Launch

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Earlier this month, independent magazine Us Folk had their 1st Birthday and Issue 4 Launch party at La De Da. Here’s the night instagram-a-fied by yours truly, the world’s worst iphonographer. From left to right: With my housemate Rebecca (some say we look alike…you think so?)/Us Folk creative director Ash in her classic flared dress/Rebecca cosplaying as Daenerys from Game of Thrones ;)/Photographers Danièle and Angie/With Angie/With US Folk creator director Juliette

FASHFEST Designer Feature–4 Minutes 33

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One of an impressive line-up of local designers to show their collection at Canberra’s FESHFEST on 1-4 May this year is enigmatically named label, 4 Minutes 33. Having kicked off their career by winning Debut Designers at Sydney Fashion Exposed in 2009, designers Gemma Jameson and Francesca Altenburg have continued to create infinitely versatile and layerable pieces to allow the wearer to let their creativity and individuality take the lead. It’s not a surprise that this successful duo have their pieces stocked in a number of boutiques in Australia and overseas. Styling just two pieces from 4 Minutes 33’s collection, I discovered this label’s flair for perfect basics. Read on to see how I styled these pieces four ways!

Diner En Blanc Canberra 2013

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I’ve never worked so hard for a picnic in my life. But then again, Diner En Blanc is no ordinary picnic. Picture this, a fabulous picnic attended by hundreds of guests all dressed elegantly in white (in vein of a 1880’s Renoir painting), with white chairs, white table clothes, white balloons, white table decoration and beautiful food (which are not required to be white). Among all sorts of rules to abide by, I had to find myself a white dress, which was much more difficult than I imagined. Seeing that I was in a pinch, local vintage shop Opshoppers put together a lavender scented White Emergency Package for me in the nick of time.

 

Canberra Fashion Festival – There’s still time to get tickets!

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The very exciting Canberra Fashion Festival “Avant Garden” is on this weekend, showcasing Canberra’s creative and masterful fashion designers (yes we have them!), models, makeup artists and hair stylists, in events spanning Friday 23 November to Sunday 25 November.

Throughout the festival there will be lots to see and experience with exhibitions, live performances, pop up events, VIP speakers, interactive installations and of course runway shows!

There will be a VIP night on Friday night (23 November) on the roof of Zoo Advertising and Kingston. The main event will be held at Hotel Realm, Barton, from 2pm on Sunday (24 November), then stick around for the after party!

Get your ticket here!

Here are some of the amazing designers showing their never before seen collections at the festival!

Zoe Brown - ZOE

Jenifer Apps – Jenifer Aniela

Jonny Day – Knave & Fables

Vicky Kidd Gallichan – Rockstars & Royalty

Janette Lenk – T Heinrich

Sofia Polak – Sofia Polak

Other designers appearing:

Caitleen Moloney – They Lied! We can Fly!

Kelli & Sean – PurePod Sustainable

Rohan Thomas – E4 and Fisherman Skate

Sara & Charlotte – Sara & Charlie

 

The official Vimeo:

David Jones’ S/S 2012 Launch, front row or in front of your computer screen!

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Cancel your plans for 14th of August, and pencil in David Jones’ Spring/Summer 2012 launch instead. What, no ticket? No problem!

In the past, the David Jones’ fashion launch, a big red circle in every self respecting fashionista’s social diary, has been in the province of the fashion elite (A/W celebrity attendees included Kate Waterhouse, Delta Goodrem, Dannii Minogue and Nicole Richie). But now, in the vein of recent Fashion Weeks, David Jones will be livestreaming the launch on its blog for all!

 

The livestream will be held at 7pm on the 14th of August here!

Over 130 looks will be paraded by a host of Australia’s leading models including Australia’s Next Top Model 2011 winner, Montana Cox. Just a tip on the hottest trends of S/S 2012, there will be prints everywhere from tribal to floral, and vibrant colours are set to be huge.

I’m delighted that the launch will be staring one of my all time favourite style idols, Victoria Secret model, It-Girl, and David Jones Ambassador, Miranda Kerr. She’s impossibly gorgeous on the job…


…and commands one of the worlds most drooled-after off-duty wardrobes!


The launch will also feature ethereal Aussie beauty Samantha Harris and super hot TV presenter and actor, Jason Dundas.



Also, check out David Jones’ Facebook page and enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to the launch!
See you at the livestream!

COUNTDOWN WIDGETS

If you can’t wait till the evening, there will be some videos viewable from the morning of the 14th also!


http://youtu.be/XLscnZ9-2Ck

http://youtu.be/CjDe_hrh_sM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlGQJTLxjrE&list=UUmUu1rOaVQ7IJHfn9krkwTQ&index=0&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A5rSzWK5Jk&list=FLmUu1rOaVQ7IJHfn9krkwTQ&index=5&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXduB_mIVN8&list=FLmUu1rOaVQ7IJHfn9krkwTQ&index=2&feature=plcp

Another successful Fash’n’Treasure Haul

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I feel like I’m becoming a broken record the way that I keep publishing posts about my Canberra Fash’n’Treasure hauls, but I don’t know if it’s just me, but this event just keeps getting better and better. The biggest difference I’ve seen is the rise of many established and semi established vendors who went to Fash’n’Treasure once or twice just to sell off old clothes, but then, realizing the potential of the vintage business, decided to go ‘legit’. This is in addition to a number of new professional vendors who have risen out of ecommerce obscurity, for whom an event like Fash’n’Treasure, which brings in all the fashionistas of Canberra, has provided a new vehicle for sales. With more opportunities for independent boutiques to reach new and broader customers bases, I see exciting growth potential for Canberra’s fashion scene.

This time, I had only 1 hour to shop as I had to rush off to Hair Flare to do makeup for the Material Pleasures x Librarian Chic photoshoot, and I was impulse buying left and right. But I’m sure many of you have heard my motto: ‘don’t think, just buy!’ By this I mean, if something catches your eye immediately, don’t analyse it, as it’s your heart telling you – YES!

Mind you, I didn’t have time to try on any of this stuff before I bought it, which is usually asking for buyers remorse, but when I finally did try everything on at home tonight I was happy with every piece!

So here they are, in order of acquisition.

Adorable pink ‘Clare’ handbag from Canberra handbag brand H for Handbag. $55.

Neon Pink and Seifuku motif knits from FELT. $25 and $29

Now I’m tempted to slash up the back of all my t-shirts xD

Slashed T-shirt and Zara Floral print blouse from MDJ Boutique. $25 and $35

Amazing knit cardigan/jacket by Alannah Hill for just $20. I usually feel Alannah Hill is a little bit too frilly for me, but this jacket is perfect. I love the concept of cardigans tailored as jackets, and this one has an amazing slightly A-line cut. I also picked up an amazing pair of vintage leather gloves from the same vendor, but true to my scatterbrain track record, I’ve already misplaced them!

Edgy jewellery from Canberra based stylist Coco Loco. Sunnies were from an up and coming vintage business by two lovely girls. Unfortunately I didn’t take down their details!

All up I spent just over $200 for all of the above. I feel lately my sense of value has been changing. Since breaking up with my ex I’ve been able to enjoy a great deal more financial freedom. I used to cringe at spending over $100 in a pop, and I considered anything over $30 to be on the expensive end. Now I feel like it doesn’t matter how much I spend at one go, as long as I loved what I bought. This is probably dangerous!

What’s your limit for $$ spent at one time?