Australian Fashion Week 2009: The verdict
May 7th 2009 12:32
Now that we've had a few days to ponder the new designs of Australian Fashion Week 2009, it's time to present the verdict on the week's collections and look at some of the new trends that have emerged.
Our foremost style expert is Natasha Silva-Jelly, Fashion Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, and she believes that the 2009 collections were very strong overall, despite some disappointing shows. She mentioned Wayne Cooper as being one of the disappointments but I'd have to disagree - although his dresses were not a departure from his usual style, they were still extremely beautiful and stood out for their classic simplicity.
Some of the more obvious trends included metallics, harem pants, and one-shoulder dresses, but there were also some micro-trends emerging - in particular, cutaway pieces and crochet. Silva-Jelly noted that the 40s silhouette was extremely popular, as well as some 80s influences that have stood the test of time.
Colour-wise, we saw the whole spectrum: in brights, cobalt blue and fanta orange were the standouts, but conversely there was a big focus on neutrals too. Tailored jackets with big shoulders made an appearance in several shows, and as far as detailing was concerned, it was all about the zipper. Some of the designs were extremely feminine - especially those of Juli Grbac and Jayson Brunsdon - while others featured more masculine tailoring. The real breakthrough Aussie designer of 2009 was Dion Lee. His designs were innovative and unique but still very wearable, and Silva-Jelly anticipates that it won't be long until he's signed up to a department store.
And so ends the crazy, wonderful time that is Australian Fashion Week - arguably the most exciting week in any Aussie fashionista's calendar. Obviously we have a whole winter to get through before we can wear any of the new trends, but at least we know what it is we'll be wearing! The new designs will start popping up in stores in August, with all manner of filtered-down versions appearing shortly thereafter.
The metallics of Willow
Our foremost style expert is Natasha Silva-Jelly, Fashion Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, and she believes that the 2009 collections were very strong overall, despite some disappointing shows. She mentioned Wayne Cooper as being one of the disappointments but I'd have to disagree - although his dresses were not a departure from his usual style, they were still extremely beautiful and stood out for their classic simplicity.
Wayne Cooper... not disappointing at all!
Some of the more obvious trends included metallics, harem pants, and one-shoulder dresses, but there were also some micro-trends emerging - in particular, cutaway pieces and crochet. Silva-Jelly noted that the 40s silhouette was extremely popular, as well as some 80s influences that have stood the test of time.
Lisa Ho does the one-shoulder dress
Karla Spetic's crochet
Roaring forties: Jayson Brunsdon
Colour-wise, we saw the whole spectrum: in brights, cobalt blue and fanta orange were the standouts, but conversely there was a big focus on neutrals too. Tailored jackets with big shoulders made an appearance in several shows, and as far as detailing was concerned, it was all about the zipper. Some of the designs were extremely feminine - especially those of Juli Grbac and Jayson Brunsdon - while others featured more masculine tailoring. The real breakthrough Aussie designer of 2009 was Dion Lee. His designs were innovative and unique but still very wearable, and Silva-Jelly anticipates that it won't be long until he's signed up to a department store.
Dion Lee: shoulders and cutouts
And so ends the crazy, wonderful time that is Australian Fashion Week - arguably the most exciting week in any Aussie fashionista's calendar. Obviously we have a whole winter to get through before we can wear any of the new trends, but at least we know what it is we'll be wearing! The new designs will start popping up in stores in August, with all manner of filtered-down versions appearing shortly thereafter.
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