Melbourne Sidewalk

Kookai’s Sidewalk show was impressive. The clothes were fabulous, with plenty of black and shimmers, but where they really did well was in the headwear. I was gobsmacked by the range of delectable options that strutted down the runway…

Lucy Telford is reporting for Thread.co.nz at L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) 2010…

The Sidewalk shows ran all week in Melbourne during Fashion Festival, with Forever New on Tuesday, an underwear show on Wednesday, and Kookai on Thursday.

Kookai’s Sidewalk show was impressive. The clothes were fabulous, with plenty of black and shimmers, but where they really did well was in the headwear. I was absolutely gobsmacked by the range of delectable options that strutted down the runway.

The headband has been lending a 1920s-30s vibe this summer and I think the style suits a lot of people. Kookai lept upon this trend, showing off a range of flapper-esque headbands in feathers and sequins.

Even better was the range of hats that appeared, from baton-twirling to a leather, aviator-style flying hat.

The Forever New range started off well with a range of 80s nostalgia in tutus and downy cardigans. I particularly liked the range of interesting stockings they produced.

The high waisted, full circle skirt looks amazing when it moves and should be a staple in all wardrobes.

The Gorilla top made me a bit gaga, it’s just my style and a little bit crazy.

The underwear show, including Jockey, Bonds, Berlei and the like, was a bit of a flop. The female models were all so obviously self-conscious about how they looked that the dancers completely out shone them. It is hard to concentrate on fashion when the wearer is feeling so awkward it makes you feel awkward too.

The dancers really stole the show with a real energy that was only upstaged by one model, Luke, who seemed to believe that it was Luke Fashion Week. In every show I saw him in, his ego was like a giant balloon that got in the way of your view. He danced about, blew kisses to friends in the audience, he took extra time on the stage, shortening other models’ time and all with an arrogant smirk. It was very breathtakingly unprofessional.

If there is anything that can be said for this winter by the state of the Federation Square Sidewalk shows, it’s black and textures, all the way. Feathers, beads, sequins, and embellishments of all kinds. Excluding Luke.

Story and photos by Lucy Telford, March 2010.