Wed 2 June •
Highlights from AAFW Day 3
A First Nations first, neon brights, next-level makeup: day three of Afterpay Australia Fashion Week did not disappoint. Here’s our round up from Wednesday June 2...
First Nations Fashion + Design
The fashion world is prone to hyperbole, but on Wednesday morning at Carriageworks show-goers witnessed a truly historic moment. On Gadigal land, First Nations Fashion + Design assembled the first all-Indigenous runway, with an entire First Nations cast and crew. Rich with colour, pattern, storytelling and symbolism, designs ranged from pastel athleisure by Amber Days and Grace Lillian Lee’s gorgeously tactile woven necklaces to a wattle-strewn gown worn by drag queen Felicia Fox.
With a front row that included Samantha Harris, Jessica Mauboy and Nathan McGuire to name a few, the show wrapped with a powerful rendition of ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ by electronic duo Electric Fields and a standing ovation that left many audience members in tears.
We Are Kindred
Delta Goodrem, Nikki Phillips, Erin Holland, Montana Cox, Vera Blue: the gang was all there at We Are Kindred’s offsite presentation. The lush setting—Gatsby House in Darling Point—delivered serious garden party vibes, as did floral off-the-shoulder dresses, soft pink gingham fabrics and pretty, matching sets. A final photo op saw models lounging by the edge of a luxe pool—a not entirely relaxing proposition in winter temps and with the fashion pack descending for a snap, but still a welcome reminder of warmer days ahead.
Bright Eyes
A makeup trend to file under ‘not as hard as you think’ was on display at Daniel Avakian’s show, where models wore graphic neon eyeliner to complement the designer’s futuristic, sharply-tailored collection. Makeup artist Nicole Thompson teamed swipes of colour with matching glossy lipstick and fresh, dewy skin—as demonstrated by New Zealand model-of-the-moment Manahou Mackay—for a look that’s totally doable for your next night out. Don’t quite trust your precision? We spotted an easier-to-achieve but equally vibrant version at Yousef Akbar, where bright, blown-out eyeshadow also coordinated with designer’s block-colour eveningwear.
Mariam Seddiq
Mariam Seddiq also had neon on her mind, presenting a palette of highlighter yellow, pink, orange at her Resort ‘22 show. Guaranteed to turn heads, the artfully twisted neoprene and crepe creations ranged from draped column dresses and voluminous gowns to sleek suiting with exaggerated, 80s-era shoulder pads. Looking for an everyday takeaway? Seddiq’s hammered gold earrings and sculptural brooches will dress up work and weekend wear alike.
KITX
“The concept of allowing our customer to purchase the resort collection at the time of the catwalk is very exciting, ” says KITX founder Kit Willow. “It’s flipping the model. ” She also flipped the script on the show’s format itself, opening with a short film about Sydney Harbour’s endangered white seahorse population and highlighting the University of Technology’s conservation program. Along with floor-length silky skirts, patchwork denim dresses and sheer, multi-pocket shirts, the collection included shark-print tees and singlets bearing an ‘Endangered’ slogan, of which $5 from every sale will be donated to Sea Shepherd. A champion of sustainability and traceability since launching in 2014, “KITX endeavours to create clothing that will last many lifetimes,” she says. “And we have an initiative that allows our customers to ensure their garments, if not loved anymore, are renewed.”
See you tomorrow!
