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)

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

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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

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Outfit: Prints on FASHFEST Day Four

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As you know, I’ve been on a big hunt for leather pieces for winter. However, I had black and more black on the mind, and I never thought I would end up with something printed. I found this amazing vintage leather jacket from Librarian Chic’s stall at the Handmade Market last Saturday. The intriguing abstract black and white pattern caught my eye immediately, and I was in love. The almost pristine condition of this 20+ years old jacket just goes to show how great an investment leather is. So naturally my new acquisition completed my outfit for FASHFEST Day 4 nicely. I love going all out on prints. There are no rules and you can just go crazy. After all the whole point of the print clashing trend is to look as disorientating mismatched as possible!

Anthony Capon – a.concept at FASFEST Canberra 2013

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Perhaps my favourite collection at FASHFEST Canberra 2013, Anthony Capon presented a signature all black collection from his label, a.concept, consisting of 8 looks that traversed street and evening wear. The collection expertly exploits black with edgy layering, dramatic draping and texture, which was created with chunky black rope used as both embellishment and belting. The gowns were both edgy and classic, and I am completely infatuated with Anthony’s take on the moto jacket, which was reinvented with exaggerated collars and the addition of black chiffon. I want Every. Single. Piece. Read on for all the photos.

 

Outfit: Monochrome on FASHFEST Day One

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By virtue of my uncanny ability to bring tomato sauce and white clothing together, white is something I’ve always subconsciously avoided. But I’ve somewhat rediscovered the colour since my white buying frenzy for my Dinner en Blanc outfit. White is as classic as black, or even better, the two together is a winning combination. This was my outfit for day one of FASHFEST Canberra 2013. This ASOS sequin dress was a surprise find at Material Pleasures, where I was styling their latest product photos shoot (more on that later). It doesn’t matter how often I check in at Material Pleasures, I always find something amazing.

Designer Feature: Toby E Handmade Jewellery

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In the lead up to Canberra’s Food & Fashion Market and FASHFST in May, I will be featuring a number of unique Australian designers involved in these events. Toby E is a hand crafted jewellery label by Toby Eagle and has been worn by celebrities including popsta Kesha and tv host Amanda Keller. Wearers of Toby E Jewellery are able to 'express yourself, be bold and unique'.

Designer Feature - Gabrielle Everitt

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In the lead up to Canberra’s Food & Fashion Market and FASHFST in May, I will be featuring a number of unique Australian designers involved in these events. Canberran designer Gabrielle Everitt only commercialised her creations the end of last year, but her wearable pieces with neutral, soothing colour palettes and clean silhouettes have already been received highly favourably by local fashionistas. Gabrielle’s style is described as ‘women’s fashion with a rustic charm’ and ‘a subtle harmony of vintage and equestrian elements with a cheeky hint of nautical’. When I first came across her styles at her popup shop at the Lonsdale Street Roasters, I strongly felt all of these elements and also that her collection is approachable and straight forward to style.

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!

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!