Fashion Week Australia Day 3

A beautiful sunny day greeted us on Day 3 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, the perfect setting for my first show of the day by Lisa Ho at the glorious Art Gallery of New South Wales…

Evelyn Ebrey is on location at Mercedes Benz Australia Fashion Week 2013,covering it for thread.co.nz with her daily diary posts. Here’s day 3…

Read our MBFWA Day 1 post here and MBFWA Day 2 here.

MBFWA Day 3

A beautiful sunny day greeted us on Day 3 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, which was the perfect setting for my first show of the day by Lisa Ho (pictured below). Set at the glorious Art Gallery of New South Wales, she presented a stunning minimalist themed collection of sport luxe separates and sleek gowns in bold colours. With an array of detailed prints in the mix including a delightful blue china print, the collection was strong, modern and cohesive.

The first on-site show of the day, Alice McCall (pictured below), was a beautiful ocean-themed presentation featuring an interesting array of structured silhouettes and more fluid shapes. The prints also took inspiration from the intricate Art Nouveau jewels of French artist Rene Jules Lalique which made for some eye-catching looks and I again noted kiwis Ella Verberne and Holly Rose Emery on the runway who have been in many shows so far this week.

Showing in The Box installation space, Serpent and the Swan (pictured below) created a moody setting for their botanical meets insects-inspired collection full of muted mens and womenswear with clever embellishments and leather details. The intricately-woven hair on some of the female models was pretty amazing too.

Next up were swimwear label We Are Handsome, who showed another collection of graphic prints, followed by Camilla who showed off-site in the gorgeous Centennial Park and had Georgia May Jagger on the runway. Design school Raffles presented their top students’ collections next.

Transforming The Box into a candle-lit runway, Bronx & Banco (pictured below), showed a crisp, clean collection with a futuristic feel, although the standout piece for me was an amazing coral princess-style skirt that was just so pretty and truly covetable.

Watson X Watson (pictured below) showed their relaxed range of womenswear with a beach theme in muted tones and detailed prints next. Their effortlessly cool looks were fresh and really wearable, and the delicate white sequins added a luxe feel and a nice contrast to the driftwood set and models carrying surfboards down the runway.

Just around the corner from Carriageworks in the Blacksmith’s Workshop, Vanishing Elephant presented their collection in the midst of the industrial space with the models walking a rather long runway around the structure. The collection of menswear and womenswear was casual and softly tailored with a range of clever shirting and suiting that had a slightly androgenous feel at times. You got the feeling these are the kind of clothes that you would cheerfully borrow from your boyfriend’s wardrobe.

Han made its MBFWA debut next, with 20 year old designer Khim Hang showing a clean white collection with a focus on texture with a sport luxe feel. Michael Lo Sordo then presented a range of flowing, feminine pieces.

Closing day three with an explosion of whimsical colour, Easton Pearson made a welcome return to the runway with a collection full of old school charm and geometric prints on stunning dresses and feminine pieces.

Words and photos, Evelyn Ebrey
10 April 2013